Yesterday, the Queensland Senator’s private members Bill to hold a plebiscite to gauge the public’s views on the number of migrants allowed to live and work in Australia was defeated 54-2.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the Senate rightly saw how misguided Senator Hanson’s proposal was.
“SSI welcomes a public conversation about population policy and migration in Australia,” she said, “but population and migration policy should be informed by analysis of the economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of growth for the wellbeing of the Australian community, not by a plebiscite.”
Ms Roumeliotis said, “Australia is a successful multicultural society and this is a key part of our identity as a nation, making Australia a destination of choice for business, work, study or tourism.
“We are recognised internationally for our success in the settlement and integration of migrant communities and for our strong social cohesion. Our multicultural policy has also promoted the economic advantages of a culturally and linguistically diverse population.”
Ms Roumeliotis said migration provided a net benefit and contributed to Australia’s economic growth, addressing the challenges of an ageing population by attracting migrants who were younger, more skilled and educated.
“Any conversation about immigration or population needs to be balanced, informed by the facts and recognise the value of our multicultural society. It should not try to blame migrants or divide our society,” she said.
An online intervention by UNSW Sydney scientists, in partnership with Settlement Services International (SSI), has successfully helped traumatised refugee men overcome the stigma associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a randomised control trial has shown. Men who participated in the trial went on to seek more help than those in the control group, and they experienced less self-stigma compared to the control group.
The trial’s results were recently published online in Psychological Medicine, an international, peer-reviewed journal.
“Over 70 million people are currently forcibly displaced as a result of war and persecution—their rates of psychological disorders are elevated,” says study and trial lead Associate Professor Angela Nickerson from the Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program at UNSW Science’s School of Psychology.
“The prevalence of PTSD in people from a refugee background is five times higher than in Australia’s general population, so PTSD is a devastating burden on refugees’ mental health.
“But even though the group’s mental health needs are high, their treatment uptake is low. That’s a big concern—those who don’t access treatment may have an increased risk of ongoing distress and impairment.
“One key barrier to seeking help is self-stigma, or negative beliefs about the psychological symptoms commonly experienced following exposure to trauma and help-seeking.”
Greg Benson, General Manager of Client Services and Operations at study partner SSI noted the reality of mental health stigma in recent refugee arrivals.
“SSI is a major provider of on-arrival support to refugees in NSW, and we observe first hand the psychological symptoms and the barriers to seeking help in our frontline work with refugees.”
That’s the problem the researchers wanted to address with this intervention—aiming to reducing stigma and improving help-seeking behaviour.
A/Prof Nickerson says the intervention is the first of its kind.
“Before our project, there was no intervention to specifically reduce mental health stigma in refugees – ‘Tell Your Story’ (TYS) is the first program of its kind, and it’s so exciting to see the results of it after years of work.”
TYS consists of 11 short, interactive web-based modules that contain information, short videos, and activities. Participants completed up to 3 modules per week over a 4-week period.
“The focal point of the intervention was videos featuring Arabic, Farsi and Tamil-speaking men sharing their personal experiences overcoming stigma, and describing how they successfully sought support for PTSD,” A/Prof Nickerson says.
“Other interactive activities educated users about PTSD and supported them to develop personalised plans for seeking help. There was no therapeutic assistance, but a computer algorithm was used to feed back responses to various activities to assist men in generating a help-seeking plan.”
“SSI has seen the real world benefits in partnering in trials like this, where an online intervention is available to refugees in community languages,” said Mr. Benson.
Encouraging results: more men seeking help
103 refugee men with PTSD symptoms from Arabic, Farsi or Tamil-speaking background were randomly assigned to either receive the TYS intervention, or to participate in a control group of men who were put on a wait list.
The TYS participants completed an online assessment of their PTSD symptoms and help-seeking behaviour before the intervention, straight after the intervention, and 1 month after completion.
“One key finding was that men who participated in the intervention sought more help from new sources than those in the control group,” A/Prof Nickerson says.
Dr. Yulisha Byrow, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program, and the Project Manager believes the positive impact of this intervention relates to the nature of the content.
“We think the reason it worked so well could be because the videos gave participants concrete examples of the potential benefits of help seeking.
“For example, some study participants told us that realistic stories and information helped them understand the psychological state they are experiencing, and that psychological treatment can help them overcome these symptoms.
“The study participants often expressed their appreciation for a culturally sensitive resource that has been developed with their unique experiences, culture, and language in mind.”
The findings suggest that evidence-based stigma reduction strategies are beneficial in targeting self-stigma related to help-seeking and increasing help-seeking among refugees.
“Online interventions focusing on social contact may be a promising avenue for removing barriers to accessing help for mental health symptoms in traumatised refugees—that’s consistent with previous research,” A/Prof Nickerson says.
“What’s very encouraging is that participants had accessed more sources of support between post-intervention and follow-up than the control group.
“That’s important because previous studies showed that behaviour change is especially difficult to get from self-stigma interventions.”
Extending research to larger trials—and women
The authors now want to conduct larger randomised control trials to test some of these hypotheses and disentangle their findings’ exact mechanisms.
“We also plan to extend the program to women—we focused on refugee men in this study because they are less likely to access psychological treatment than refugee women, but we’d love to extend this to women, too,” A/Prof Nickerson says.
“We also have already made stigma reduction guidelines available to case workers as a result of this research.”
“These guidelines have been helpful for SSI’s frontline staff working with refugees, to deepen their understanding of ways to reduce stigma,” noted Mr. Benson.
Director and Chief Scientist of the Black Dog Institute and contributor to the research, Scientia Professor Helen Christensen, highlights the importance of building on this evidence base.
“Refugees come to our shores often experiencing significant trauma and in desperate need of culturally sensitive mental health resources and services; therefore, it is imperative we understand the barriers that might prevent our refugees from seeking this much-needed help. This research is one pivotal step in the right direction” said Christensen.”Our next step is to broaden this evidence-base to address stigma preventing all refugees from seeking help, regardless of age, gender or religion.”
Originally published by Isabelle Dubach, University of New South Wales
According to a research paper released by community organisation and social business Settlement Services International (SSI), people born in a non-English speaking country have similar rates of disability as other Australians but are about half as likely to access support services.
To overcome that gap, SSI launched Our Voice – an educational initiative for disability service organisations. Educators with lived experience combine their unique insights and expertise to deliver tailored learning sessions in English, using first-hand accounts to break down stigmas and shift attitudes.
One such educator is Jubran Eesee, who arrived from Iraq as a refugee in 2015 and is well versed in the challenges facing new arrivals with disability.
“It was difficult in the beginning when we arrived in Australia,” said Mr Eesee. “Disability information is only available in English, so many people do not understand how to navigate the resources or know what support is available.”
“Our Voice is very unique. It provides an understanding of our perspective through our stories. If people can see things through our eyes, then I think they will be more able to meet our needs.”
A passionate ambassador and disability advocate, Mr Eesee leapt at the opportunity to improve the experiences of people with disability arriving in Australia today.
“My goal with Our Voice is to help services understand the challenges and difficulties faced by people with disability when settling in Australia,” he said. “There is a great opportunity here for organisations to learn from people’s stories and experiences.”
While the program offers many benefits for service providers, it also provides a platform for learning and growth for each of the Lived Experience Educators.
“For many of us educators, Our Voice helps us to achieve our goals and build confidence to lead a better life,” said Mr Eesee. “One of the reasons I took part in this project was to achieve my goal of developing my skills as a public speaker.”
Mr Eesee will be delivering his learning activity at the Hireup 2019 Support Worker Conference on Wednesday, August 7.
To learn more about Our Voice and how you can book a learning activity head to www.ourvoice.ssi.org.au
………………………………………………END……………………………………………………
About Our Voice:
Our Voice provides opportunities for mainstream disability service providers to build their capacity in responding to the services access needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds through learning from people with lived experience. Learning activities are delivered in English and are free to participating disability service providers for team meetings and staff learning and development activities
About SSI:
Settlement Services International is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. We work with all people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Officer Greg Clennar
M: 0417 687 064
With one in five Australians living with a disability, making employment opportunities accessible for all is paramount for local businesses. Inclusive practices give employers access to wider skillsets and provide pathways for local community members with disabilities to achieve independence and economic empowerment.
The two-hour forum, hosted by SSI Ability Links NSW, in partnership with the Illawarra Business Chamber, aims to build confidence and capacity for businesses to recruit, advance and maintain inclusive workplaces by demonstrating what that looks like on a local and national level.
SSI Ability Links Operations Manager Ben Fioramonte, said, “Committing to a diverse workforce and inclusive team environment is a must for all businesses and organisations. Employing people of all abilities is key to providing goods and services that reflect the need of individuals and the community”.
Beyond Blue ambassador Brett Saunders will provide a keynote address, highlighting the growing need for businesses to better understand workplace mental health and how employers can create mentally healthy workplaces.
The forum will also feature a panel discussion that will look at removing barriers and creating inclusive work environments.
Panellists include:
Thomas Kuzma (Host and Facilitator) – Engagement Officer, Autism Spectrum Australia
Kylie van Luyn – Employment Services and Social Enterprise Director, Settlement Services International
Jason White – National Manager, Business Development & Engagement, Specialisterne Australia
Alan Gibson – Director, Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort
Mina Aziz – Professional Adviser, Job Access
Elise Kiviniemi – Disability Employment Service (DES) client, staff member, Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort
What: Workplace Disability & Inclusion Employer Forum
When: Thursday, June 20, 11.00am – 1.30pm
Where: Lagoon Restaurant, Conference Room, Stuart Park, George Hanley Drive, North Wollongong
About SSI:
Settlement Services International is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. We work with all people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.
Media Enquiries:
SSI Communications Officer Greg Clennar – gclennar@ssi.org.au / 0417 687 064
Every minute in 2018, 25 people were forced to flee their homes, according to UNHCR’s annual Global Trends report, released to mark World Refugee Day today. By the end of the year, 70.8 million people globally were forcibly displaced – representing the highest level since the UN Refugee Agency began 70 years ago and a year-on-year increase of 2.3 million people.
“These sobering figures show how important it is for Australia to accommodate the world’s most vulnerable people through a generous refugee intake in our humanitarian program,” said Violet Roumeliotis, who is the CEO of community organisation and social business Settlement Services International (SSI).
“Earlier this year, our federal government announced plans to freeze Australia’s humanitarian intake, which currently accounts for less than 5% of our annual migration program.
“A community sponsorship program like we see in Canada or the UK would be a great supplement to our current humanitarian program. It’s something that could really make a difference in the lives of people who are forcibly displaced. It would also provide opportunities for everyday Australians to change people’s lives. Australia currently has a similar program, but there are a number of key differences between our model and what is working overseas, which may hinder take up from community.”
Refugee settlement brings a multitude of benefits from an economic, social and cultural perspective, said Ms Roumeliotis.
“It’s something we at SSI see every day in our work resettling refugees and supporting them to live rich, independent lives in Australia.
“Refugees are the most entrepreneurial migrants in Australia ― nearly twice as likely to be entrepreneurs as Australian taxpayers, according to research released in March. If just 5% of the refugees Australia settles each year were to start a business, this would add $98 million to our economy in one year alone ― and nearly $1 billion over a 10-year period,” she said.
“Refugee settlement also brings with it cultural and social benefits that are harder to measure but no less valuable to our country.”
Ms Roumeliotis said it was only four years ago that the Australian government made the unprecedented decision to resettle an additional 12,000 people in response to the conflict in Syria and Iraq.
“With one action, we lived up to our reputation as a leading global citizen and helped thousands of children, women and men who were forced to leave behind their friends, family and everything they know in order to live a life that is free from war or persecution,” she said.
“SSI was involved in that resettlement on the frontline ― resettling 10,000 refugees in NSW in a single year ― and the results speak for themselves. Refugees from that intake are now well on the way to successful settlement ― forging friendships, engaging in education, starting businesses ― making economic, social and cultural contributions to their new homes.
“Last year Syria accounted for the highest proportion of refugees worldwide at 6.7 million people. Despite these high numbers, only 92,400 refugees from any country were resettled during 2018. We must do better by these individuals and families.”
UNHCR’s The Global Trends Report is published every year to analyse the changes in UNHCR’s populations of concern and deepen public understanding of ongoing crises.
About SSI:
Settlement Services International is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. We work with all people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Officer Hannah Gartrell, P: 02 8799 6782 M: 0478 679 078 E: hgartrell@ssi.org.au
Through its 2019 theme, ‘A World of Stories’, RCOA is encouraging the broader community to celebrate the immense courage, resilience and valuable contributions made by refugees to Australian society.
On Wednesday, June 26, SSI will present cultural activities and performances over a shared meal at its Community Kitchen in Auburn, a place where people from different backgrounds cook, eat, dance, learn and create together.
Through the concept of a shared meal, the Community Kitchen reduces social and cultural isolation of community members, including refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants living in the local Auburn area.
Refugee Week celebrations will include an array of activities and entertainment, including tours of the SSI Friendship Garden, a cultural fashion show, and dance and vocal performances.
“This is a place that lives and breathes the ‘Share a meal, share a story’ ethos,” said SSI General Manager, Public Affairs & Communications, Shannon Kliendienst.
RCOA CEO Paul Power said, “The ‘Share a meal, share a story’ theme for this year’s Refugee Week speaks to the incredible stories and the rich culinary heritage that people bring with them when they come to Australia. Food brings people together, and we’re encouraging people to do just that as they celebrate our refugee communities next week.”
Every fortnight the Community Kitchen serves a warm, culturally familiar meal in a relaxed setting that allows for intercultural and interfaith friendships to be formed. It is a welcoming place where people from different backgrounds meet and learn about each other over lunch and through participating in activities.
Nasrin Azizi came to Australia as a refugee from Afghanistan in 2002. She gained her degree in social work in 2014 and runs a wellbeing group for Afghani women, which aims to decrease social isolation.
“As refugees, we appreciate the freedom of Australia. Dancing was once forbidden in Afghanistan [under Taliban rule] so, by sharing their culture through things like dance and music, the Community Kitchen makes the women in my group feel empowered and builds their self-esteem. Plus they enjoy meeting and learning from other cultures – hearing stories and eating new food.
“The Community Kitchen is one of the best programs to make people feel included.”
Ms Kliendienst said, “We welcome everyone in the local community and beyond to come and be part of our Community Kitchen on June 26 to ‘share a meal, and a story’ with us.”
The event will be sponsored by Allianz, a long-standing corporate partner of SSI. Members of the Allianz executive team will also be volunteering their time on the day.
Allianz Australia Senior Manager, Social Impact, Charis Martin-Ross said that this event is one of many examples of how the ongoing partnership with Allianz and SSI has broadened employee perspectives on diversity and community engagement.
“Allianz is proud to partner with SSI and our partnership has given our employees a better understanding of refugee experiences as well as a chance to connect and give back to our diverse community,” Ms Martin-Ross said.
“We hope our experience showcases the benefits of hiring people with a refugee background. Through our refugee employment programs, I have seen first-hand the talent and potential that refugees bring to the workforce.”
Organisations can get involved in volunteer opportunities to ‘share a meal, share a story’ with SSI’s newcomer community throughout the year. Contact partnerships@ssi.org.au
Event details – Celebrating Refugee Week at SSI Community Kitchen
When: Wednesday, June 26, 2019, 11 am – 2 pm
Where: Auburn Centre for Community, 44A Macquarie Road, Auburn
Program:
11:00 am – Activities commence
11:30 am – Cultural fashion show
12:30 pm – Performances
1:00 pm – Lunch is served
About SSI:
Settlement Services International is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. We work with all people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Officer
Alicia Chapple
E: achapple@ssi.org.au
M: 0432 807 816
The 2019 legacy-themed conference will be held on Friday, May 24, at the International Convention Centre (ICC).
The SSI and TEDxSydney partnership involves a “Pay It Forward” initiative, whereby conference registrants can give community members from a wide range of SSI programs — including disability services, refugee resettlement, multicultural foster care, and startups — the opportunity to attend the conference for free.
Speakers covering the topics of science, business, technology, art, design, entertainment and culture will discuss the impact that personal, organisational and intergenerational legacy can have on humankind.
High-achieving entrepreneur and autism advocate Haydn Payne is part of the SSI cohort attending the conference and is excited about the opportunity.
“I often watch TED talks to spark new ideas for my own business. I’m stoked to have the opportunity to attend and see it live in action,” he said.
With the support of IgniteAbility® Small Business Start-ups — a pilot program established by SSI to facilitate business creation for people with a disability — Mr Payne is developing a podcast series for high functioning young adults on the autism spectrum.
After being wrongly diagnosed with ADHD, Mr Payne was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome at age 16 and, in the context of the 1990s when it was not a social condition many were aware of, had to break barriers and cope with his condition through his own set of resilience tactics.
“As someone growing up in a low socioeconomic environment, and during a time in the ’90s when many didn’t know what Asperger’s even was, I found myself facing many challenges,” he said.
“After many frustrations, I decided to do something more proactively and get involved in the autism community and advocate to raise awareness.”
Diversity and disability peer facilitator and mentor Pauline David is another community member attending the conference and part of the SSI cohort.
As someone from an Assyrian background who has lived with a physical disability from birth, Ms David has experienced social, cultural and structural related barriers her whole life and now advocates for improved accessibility for herself and others.
“Through sharing my story, I hope to challenge perceptions, attitudes and stigmas to help improve community access for people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds,” Ms David said.
“Attending the upcoming TEDxSydney conference will help inspire some new ideas for my advocacy work,” Ms David said.
“I hope to connect with new networks and spread the word on diversity and inclusion in the wider community.”
TEDxSydney Founder and Licensee Remo Giuffré said that TEDxSydney is thrilled to be able to give SSI program participants a unique learning experience through the ‘Pay It Forward’ initiative.
“At the core of TEDxSydney, we aim to create a connected community, and it’s great to be able to collaborate with SSI and bring the two communities together,” Mr Giuffré said.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said that the collaboration between the two organisations took a fresh approach in encouraging the broader community to get involved and support marginalised communities to attend a high-profile event.
“Through this wonderful partnership, we’re able to provide a seamless way for the wider community to give back to those people who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to attend a TEDxSydney conference,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
“SSI appreciates the ongoing support and generosity of TEDxSydney and its members, who are empowering people to change their lives through direct exposure to myriad brilliant speakers and thought-provoking conversation.”
About SSI:
Settlement Services International is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. We work with all people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Officer, Rebeka Selmeczki, M: 0478 679 078 E: rselmeczki@ssi.org.au
This week marks the end of Ms Roumeliotis’ time as Telstra Business Woman of the Year ― a unique accolade for a non-profit CEO that she has used to create opportunities for other business women from diverse backgrounds.
“I’m the daughter of Greek migrants. I grew up working weekends in my family’s corner store. I haven’t just seen the incredible entrepreneurial potential in Australia’s migrant and refugee community ― I’ve lived it,” she said.
“I want to use my own success to show other women from diverse backgrounds that there is no limit to what we can achieve. We are wives, mothers and daughters, but we also have potential that extends beyond that facet of our identities.
“Migrant and refugee women are strong, they’re resilient and they’re resourceful business women. They just need a hand navigating the complex Australian regulatory environment.”
As the CEO of community organisation and social business Settlement Services International (SSI), Ms Roumeliotis has been able to offer that support by establishing the Ignite® Multicultural Women’s Business Scholarships — a 12-month package of specialised support valued at $20,000 to help women from diverse backgrounds get their business idea up off the ground.
Recipients of scholarships to date include:
- Merlyn Hernandez: After migrating to Australia in 2003, Merlyn was unable to find employment in her field of graphic design due to low English levels. Instead, she began studying hospitality and in 2013, launched Dulce Trio Boutique Cakes, which sells creative cakes and sweets. Despite Merlyn’s innovation, talent and the passion, her business was not making money, so she applied for an SSI scholarship. With support from a team of experts, Dulce Trio has refocused its sales and marketing efforts. Merlyn has also been linked with food and beverage industry experts and is in the process of pursuing a micro-loan to supercharge her business’s growth trajectory.
- Parastoo Brahimi: Originally from Afghanistan, Parastoo spent 11 years living as a refugee in Indonesia. To calm her mind during that uncertain period, Parastoo learned beading and began holding workshops to teach other refugees how to use beadwork to create small handicrafts and jewellery. After being resettled in Australia, Parastoo wanted to share her love of therapeutic craft work and came to SSI looking to turn her idea into a business. With support from a team of experts, her business ― Anissa ― was born. Currently in the product development stage, Anissa specialises in the creation of jewellery inspired by feminine concepts from the Quran.
Ms Roumeliotis said there is huge untapped potential in Australia’s new and emerging communities, which have much higher rates of entrepreneurialism than their Australian-born peers.
“This is particularly true of people from refugee background, who are nearly twice as likely to start their own business than the Australian population as a whole. Of those refugee entrepreneurs, women are more likely than men to actually earn an income from their own business,” she said.
“Budding entrepreneurs like Parastoo and Merlyn already have the skills, courage and work ethic to succeed in business ― all they need is a helping hand to level the playing field. What is often missing for migrant and refugee women is the opportunity to participate and share their knowledge and skills.
“I am incredibly grateful for the chance to lift up other women and use my own success to pave the way forward for other budding entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.”
About Violet:
Violet Roumeliotis is a social entrepreneur who has extensive experience working with refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities. Violet is the current Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year, and sits on the Federal Government’s Settlement Services Advisory Council, the board of national migrant and refugee women’s coalition, the Harmony Alliance. Violet was named one of AFR’s Top 100 Women of Influence for 2018 in the category of Diversity & Inclusion and has twice been named on Pro Bono Australia’s list of the 25 most influential people in the not-for-profit sector. She was awarded the title of Community Fellow from Western Sydney University for outstanding service to the community in 2017.
About SSI:
Settlement Services International is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. We work with all people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Officer, Hannah Gartrell, M: 0478 679 078 E: hgartrell@ssi.org.au
SSI will draw on its experience in operating successful employment programs for vulnerable groups of people, bringing its unique social enterprise approach and established connections with employers and specialist services to communities across Parramatta, Mount Druitt, Auburn, Merrylands and Blacktown.
The NSW Government has partnered with local service providers to deliver Opportunity Pathways, a new employment-focused program that helps people receiving social housing assistance to access education, training and work.
Opportunity Pathways is aimed at people who want to improve their employment options and who are:
• aged 17 and older; and
• living in social housing or are approved social housing applicants; or
• are receiving a Rent Choice subsidy.
Through this program, SSI connects participants to education, training and employment opportunities tailored to their needs, aspirations and capabilities. SSI identifies the strengths, skills and aspirations of each participant, and matches these to job categories and relevant courses that are likely to lead to job opportunities.
Since 2015, SSI has operated employment programs that support vulnerable groups of people across the Sydney region, including young people who are unemployed, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, people with disability, parents transitioning to the workforce, long-term unemployed people, refugees, and people seeking asylum.
“We are very pleased that through our programs, our clients have successfully secured employment in over 400 local businesses, government agencies and corporations,” said Karen Bevan, SSI General Manager Service Delivery – Community.
“We work with people who may face barriers such as not knowing what work opportunities are available locally, or lacking confidence or capacity to enter employment without support.”
SSI’s innovative and person-centred approach addresses challenges like these with its successful social enterprise model, providing participants with meaningful work experience, skills, confidence, and access to sustainable employment.
“Each participant in the Opportunity Pathways program will be supported through this established process, and receive practical work experience with on-the-job training in one of our social enterprises, such as The Staples Bag (low cost grocery retail business), Humble Creatives (creative arts venture), The Experience Centre (administration and professional services), and Food for Thought (hospitality service),” said Ms Bevan.
“All of our social enterprises are linked to or have strong relationships with local employers.”
SSI will also draw on its existing networks, delivering Opportunity Pathways in collaboration with the well-established partnerships it has with other specialist services, employers and local supports as needed.
“With our strong connections to CALD community organisations, SSI will use our existing working relationships to establish culturally appropriate services, identify suitable participants, and provide participants with pathways to paid employment or to other relevant support services,” said Ms Bevan.
“Our service commitment to all of our clients is to work collaboratively with other services to best meet their needs.”
“We look forward to working with the communities in Western Sydney to deliver a service that makes a real difference and helps people address the barriers to employment and reach their goals.”
Family and Community Services (FACS) has funded Opportunity Pathways for three years. For more information about the program visit the FACS website.
SSI provides Opportunity Pathways services across sites in Parramatta, Mount Druitt, Auburn, Merrylands and Blacktown. To contact us, refer a participant, or self-refer, please email opp@ssi.org.au
We strongly condemn these appalling acts of violence, offer our condolences to the victims, their families and loved ones, and express our solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka and members of the Sri Lankan community living in Australia.
Despite our different beliefs and world views, we share a common humanity and urge all Australians to live in unity, with love and respect, regardless of religion.