Data collection will help protect vulnerable communities
Settlement Services International (SSI) has welcomed news that a person’s birthplace and languages spoken will be recorded when they receive a COVID-19 vaccine or test positive to the virus.
From the CEO: Crisis touches us all, but rarely impacts us equally
The COVID-19 pandemic is testing gender equity in ways that no-one expected. Women – and particularly women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds – have been among the worst affected by the unprecedented events of last year.
New Chair for social services leader Settlement Services International
Leading community organisation and social enterprise Settlement Services International (SSI) has welcomed Voula Messimeri AM MAICD as the new Chair of its Board.
SSI calls out discriminatory visa approach in COVID-19 stimulus packages
"The virus doesn’t discriminate but the government is discriminating by visa type." As a signatory to an open letter sent to the Prime Minister today, Settlement Services International (SSI) has backed calls across the community services sector to leave nobody behind, “build back better” and avoid mass-unemployment and social unrest after the COVID-19 pandemic.
SSI shares evidence-based, best global practice at Global Refugee Forum
Eighty-two signatories have endorsed an open pledge to support an affordable, inclusive community refugee sponsorship program in Australia, launched by SSI and 65 other community groups prior to the first-ever Global Refugee Forum (GRF), hosted by UNHCR in Geneva in December 2019.
SSI expresses appreciation for volunteers’ and collaborators’ profound contribution to communities
A retired police superintendent, a dance artist and members of a Community Hub were among recipients of SSI’s 2019 Community Appreciation Awards.
HIV-positive survivor and advocate transforms pain into purpose
Since his diagnosis 35 years ago, inspirational speaker David Polson has participated in 28 drug trials to improve the treatment of the virus.
From the CEO: Four action priorities from government refugee settlement review
A common misunderstanding about refugees is that they are the sole beneficiaries of our country’s resettlement program. A government-commissioned report released last week challenges this misconception by highlighting all that we have to gain by effectively welcoming newcomers.
Response to Shergold refugee settlement review*
Leading agency calls for immediate action * Investing in Refugees, Investing in Australia: the findings of a Review into Integration, Employment and Settlement Outcomes for Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants in Australia. Settlement Services International (SSI), one of Australia’s largest refugee settlement agencies, calls for three immediate actions in response to today’s report, citing employment and community models in their Regional Settlement Strategy as key to future success.
CALD disability needs overlooked by mainstream services
People born in a non-English speaking country have similar rates of disability as other Australians but are about half as likely to receive formal assistance.
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2018 at SSI
Sunday July 8 signalled the start of NAIDOC Week 2018, a time in which SSI celebrates the past, present and future contributions of our nation’s Indigenous people and their heritage. This year’s theme was ‘Because of her, we can’, which provided a fantastic opportunity to recognise the past and current contributions of Indigenous women to Australian society.
Business Woman of the Year launches program for refugee women and aspiring entrepreneurs
Settlement Services International (SSI) CEO and 2017 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year Violet Roumeliotis on May 28 launched a scholarship program through which four women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds will receive a 12-month package of business start-up support.
SSI successfully hosts first DiverseAbility NDIS Inclusion Conference
With more than 200 delegates and 50 speakers, the first-of-its-kind conference in NSW put the emphasis on discussing issues and challenges specific to people with disability from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background.
Still Outside the Tent: Cultural Diversity and Disability
Cultural Diversity & Disability: A Rapid Review of Evidence.
Corporate partnerships pave the way for new arrivals
Working at Woolworths is a little different to his previous job as a petroleum engineer, but Safwan Aldod has high career aspirations and believes that everyone needs to start somewhere.
Refugees turn stories into song with the Human Sound Project
Refugees and other newly arrived community members are turning their stories into song with a global musical movement that empowers people from all backgrounds to express themselves through music.
Not-for-profits back new women’s alliance
Not-for-profits from around Australia have banded behind a new national women’s alliance that will champion the unique issues affecting refugee and migrant women. Launched in Adelaide today by the Federal Minister for Women, Senator Michaelia Cash, the Harmony Alliance: Migrant and Refugee Women for Change is a policy and strategy body that will consult with migrant and refugee women nationally to bring about positive change on the issues that affect them.
Ignite serves an opportunity for recently arrived Syrian refugee
According to Ashod Paloulian, life is like a tennis match: you have to fight for every point and, if you lose one, you just have to try again. Both this analogy and this attitude toward life describe well this 33-year-old Syrian father of two who, only nine months after landing in Australia as a refugee, is already working as a tennis coach with the support of Ignite Small Business Start-ups.
From the CEO — Innovative employment approach supports refugees to find work
We all remember finding our first job. That initial leap into the workplace means navigating a new world with its own unique jargon and requirements like CVs, interview skills and position descriptions.
SSI celebrates Harmony Day with the Friendly Nation Initiative
Harmony Day is about inclusivity, respect and belonging. It was a day that SSI marked in March with a celebration as part of an initiative from Australia’s business sector that will help many refugees to build a sense of belonging in Australia.