Due to the risk posed to staff and client wellbeing as a result of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, SSI and Access locations will be temporarily closed from Monday, March 30, 2020.

Rhythmic vibrations, captivating performances and audience singalongs epitomised the first ever Homelands Tour as artists from refugee backgrounds came together in a musical collaboration to celebrate Refugee Week 2019. 

The National Community Hubs Program 2018 Year in Review is now available.

Here at SSI, diversity and inclusion is at our heart, and our diverse workforce, programs and initiatives allow us to engage with clients and communities across a broad scope.

Are you a job seeker with disabilities or an employer willing to explore the possibilities of working with people with disabilities? There is a great opportunity ahead for you.

The settlement journey has continued for our 23 families in Armidale this July, with special emphasis on working directly with newcomer leaders and youth to establish their interests and support them in what they hope to achieve in Armidale. I’ve also had new opportunities to meet more of the amazing community groups around Armidale, who are excited to explore ways of helping our new families settle.

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.

Hundreds of Inner West locals recently showed their support for refugees and a thriving arts community as part of Refugee Week 2018 celebrations.

June has been an incredible month for SSI, our volunteers and our settling families in Armidale, marking Refugee Week, Volunteer Week and many more great events and initiatives.

During Refugee Week we recognise the contribution of refugees around the world and address the current living situation of thousands of displaced human beings around the world.

Violet Roumeliotis has been recognised as the 2017 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.

SSI’s foster carer Alaweia Kual has been recognised as a finalist in the 2017 NSW Grandparent of the Year Awards for her valuable contributions to the community both as a kinship carer for her grandson and as a community leader supporting newly arrived refugees from her home country of Sudan.

More innovative and tailored initiatives for refugee and migrant families are essential to overcoming settlement challenges and fostering a long-term sense of belonging, delegates heard at a conference last week.

Samira Maksoud is a Syrian refugee who has been in Australia less than six months. But that hasn’t stopped her from finding a part-time job and enrolling to study in two tertiary qualifications.

A vision-impaired runner will join the SSI team in City2Surf 2017 thanks to a connection his Ability Links linker made with the Achilles Running Club in Sydney.  

It has been a full few days at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement in Geneva. SSI is one of a number of international NGOs attending, to discuss pressing issues in response to the global refugee crisis.

Ladan Haghighat volunteers for SSI in the Friendship Garden at Auburn Centre for Community. That’s fitting because her name, Ladan, is Persian for the nasturtium flower.