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SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said this was exciting news for SSI and its team who had delivered settlement services for the past six years under the current Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) program.

“Winning these two regions was only possible due to the dedication, skill and passion of our staff in securing excellent client outcomes,” she said.

“I am excited by the prospect of leading SSI into this new era of settlement services for Australia’s humanitarian entrants with a greater emphasis on English language proficiency; education and development; and employment. Under our current HSS contract the three ‘Es’ are areas that SSI has incorporated for some years now as part and parcel of our service delivery.

“We’re very pleased that they’ve now been formalised as a key part of the new contract. We see this as positive reinforcement of our good work under the HSS program.

“I am confident that the move to a more outcomes-focused model will lead to improved integration for refugees and better social cohesion in our communities.

“We also recognise the opportunities offered by the additional time under the new program to meet people’s individual needs at the pace required by their particular situation.

“It is understandable that on arrival refugees have different capacities to settle quickly into their communities, work and education. The flexibility of the timeframe gives service providers the opportunity to meet individual needs and empower clients to commence building new lives in Australia.

“The new program continues a long and proud tradition of resettling refugees in Australia,” Ms Roumeliotis added.

The HSP, which is funded by the Department of Social Services, was awarded following a competitive tender processing beginning in September 2016. The program will build skills and knowledge for the social and economic well-being of humanitarian entrants through a needs-based case management approach. For more information: https://www.dss.gov.au/settlement-and-multicultural-affairs/programs-policy/settlement-services/humanitarian-settlement-program

Media enquiries:
SSI Corporate Communications Manager Angela Calabrese: 0422 304 578; acalabrese@ssi.org.au
SSI Communications Assistant Hannah Gartrell: 0488 680 287; hgartrell@ssi.org.au

Dakhil has more than 35 years’ experience as a sculptor and engraver, gathered both in his native country of Iraq and in Australia, where he has lived since being forced to leave his birth country in search of safety.

For Sameer, the festival’s name is synonymous with his own fresh start in Australia.

“I need a new beginning,” he said. “This festival represents a great opportunity for newly arrived artists like me to share our work and connect with the Australian public.”

New Beginnings Creative Producer Carolina Triana said the festival was an opportunity for Sydneysiders to come together and learn about the cultural heritage and vibrant artistry of some of Australia’s newest community members.

“Being a ‘refugee’ is not the singularly defining aspect of a person’s identity,” she said.

“We hope to facilitate creative exchanges between refugee and non-refugee communities. Getting to know someone through their art makes us focus on their creativity and potential — labels are no longer relevant.”

The New Beginnings Festival for Refugee Week program will also include the short film screening ‘Sydney Stories’, artist workshops and a Persian tea ceremony presented as part of the Community Kouzina project.

The New Beginnings Festival for Refugee Week event is part of the broader New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival 2017, an initiative of not-for-profit organisation Settlement Services International (SSI). It will be held from 21 June to 2 July at Redfern’s premier creative hub, 107 (previously 107 Projects). For more information or tickets, click here.

The festival will continue later in the year with a one-day music, dance, art and food extravaganza at Darling Harbour.

For more information, head to https://www.newbeginningsfestival.com.au

About the New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival:

The New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival 2017 is a celebration of the artistic vibrancy, cultural expressions and heritage of people from refugee backgrounds. Since its inception in 2015, the New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival has offered a free celebration of the diverse and rich creative talents of refugees and people seeking asylum.

Media enquiries:

For interviews, media passes and other enquiries, contact SSI Communications Assistant Hannah Gartrell (M: 0488 680 287; E: hgartrell@ssi.org.au). Interviews can be arranged both on the night and in the lead up to the event.

Held as part of Vivid Ideas on 7 June, Borrowed Voice: Freedom of Expression vs Cultural Appropriation will question the concepts of identity politics and political correctness in Australia’s creative industries through a ‘reversed-debate’ format. ‘Affirmative’ speakers will argue the negative standpoint to highlight the shortcomings of the opposing view, and vice versa.

Mediated by journalist Stan Grant, the debaters will include:

Caroline Marcus, who joins the negative team, said the very concept of cultural appropriation was laughable.

“It’s not just the policing of harmless fun under the guise of targeting so-called ‘cultural appropriation’’ that should concern us, but attempts to shut down discussion – and indeed criticism – of dangerous cultural practices for fear of causing offence,” she said.

“Think about the treatment cartoonist Bill Leak had from the Human Rights Commission when he tried to illustrate the problem of high levels of child abuse and neglect in Indigenous communities. It’s a very worrying trend in Australia and around the world.”

Author Mark Isaacs from Sydney Pen, which co-organised the event with not-for-profit Settlement Services International (SSI), said the limitations of freedom of speech and expression had become the latest political and ideological battleground in Australia.

“Our right to free speech does not give us the right to abuse, to discriminate, to slander, to disseminate hatred. Championing the right to bigotry or the right to humiliate sullies the philosophy from which these freedoms were born,” he said.

“Creative works that ignore cultural, religious or ethnic boundaries have the potential to silence those on the fringes of society by allowing the dominant culture to monopolise the creative space. I believe we should try to achieve a balance where artists are encouraged to have freedom in their creativity but not to restrict the opportunities of others.”

SSI Arts & Culture Coordinator Carolina Triana said the line between cultural appropriation and appreciation was a hotly contested issue in Australia’s creative industries.

“Many creative professionals believe they should have the freedom to ‘try on other people’s hats, as author Lionel Shriver put it at last year’s Brisbane Writers Festival,” she said.

“The problem with that view is it can lead to the exploitation of the stories and experiences of, what are often, marginalised communities. It’s a complex issue — does the right to freedom of expression supersede the right to retain control of one’s cultural identity and experiences?”

The event will take place as part of Vivid Ideas on 7 June from 6–8pm at the Cell Block Theatre in Darlinghurst.

Vivid Ideas is Asia Pacific’s annual celebration of innovation, creativity and change community, and is held as part of Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas. For more information or tickets, click here.

For interviews, media passes and other enquiries, contact:

Benjamin Riley 
SSI Communications Coordinator
0488 680 397
briley@ssi.org.au

Interviews can be arranged both on the night and in the lead up to the event.

 

 The study found that 68% of refugee graduates of the Ignite Small Business Start-ups Program had moved off Centrelink payments, with some also paying company tax and generating jobs for others.

The Ignite Small Business Start-ups Program, an initiative of humanitarian organisation Settlement Services International (SSI), was launched in 2013 to assist newly arrived humanitarian migrants or refugees to set up businesses.

Now at the end of its three-year pilot, the program has helped to establish 66 new refugee businesses – the majority in retail trade, followed by cultural and recreational services and construction.

“The stand-out finding is the diversity of business types set up by the refugee graduates of the Ignite program,” Professor Collins says. “There is no typical refugee business enterprise. Businesses established by successful Ignite clients cover many different industry classifications.”

Overall, of the 240 SSI refugee clients accepted into the Ignite program 25 per cent were running their own enterprise, the study found.

“This success rate must be set against the substantial barriers that these refugees faced in order to appreciate its significance,” Professor Collins says.

“At first glance refugees are the most unlikely entrepreneurs. They lack capital to start up a business, they have no credit history, no assets or security. In many instances their educational qualifications are not recognised and they have no social networks.”

The report also found that newly arrived refugees who are women are equally passionate about entrepreneurship and have the potential to succeed as new entrepreneurs in Australia. “One in five Ignite clients are women and one in four of the Ignite clients who succeeded in setting up a business are women,” Professor Collins says. “This is an important finding because many refugee families who arrive in Australia are single-parent families headed by a woman.”

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis noted it was not because of a lack of passion, a business idea or commitment and ability that other Ignite clients had not set up a business. “Rather, the constraint was the time of the enterprise facilitators. With more resources for the program to hire additional enterprise facilitators the success rate would have been much higher.”

The Ignite program is based on the Sirolli Trinity of Management® model and tailored specifically to newly arrived humanitarian migrants or refugees. “This model has led to an innovation in thinking and tailoring of support to entrepreneurs of refugee background,” Ms Roumeliotis says.

“The report has demonstrated the success of Ignite and suggests it has the potential to be rolled out nationally, with modification and consultation.”

SSI now plans to expand the model to support passionate entrepreneurs with disability, their families and carers through a new pilot program Ignite Ability.

SSI is a finalist in the Settlement Innovation category of the Australian Migration Settlement Awards on Wednesday, March 22, which will be attended by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The Ignite program was part of the nomination.

To speak with SSI CEO or for entrepreneur case studies:

Rekha Sanghi
SSI Communications Coordinator
0422 304 578
rsanghi@ssi.org.au

Professor Jock Collins
Professor of Social Economics
UTS Business School
0425 341 083
Jock.Collins@uts.edu.au

Lesley Parker
Media Officer
UTS Business School
0422 000 249
lesley.parker@uts.edu.au

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said: “As a leading humanitarian settlement provider, we know from countless individual stories of migration and displacement since post WWII, including many victims of terrorism, these new members of the Australian community would strongly agree that the Australian Government should place the highest priority on security and safety.

“We understand that the people we work with value a free, diverse and harmonious society and embrace the opportunities offered to them to make a fresh start here. The higher than average entrepreneurial spirit of our refugee population is well documented.

“At a time when there are continuing calls for radical change in our immigration and multicultural policies, we welcome the confirmation that the Australian Government is committed to harnessing the advantages of our cultural diversity as an asset which sparks innovation and creativity and which contributes to the economic and social prosperity of all Australians.

“We’re also pleased to note the statement acknowledges that the Australian settlement framework is widely considered best practice, an approach that is the envy of many comparable countries.”

There were performances, gardening workshops and art demonstrations, along with craft, henna designs and a pampering corner with nail art, hair styling and make up.

One attendee, Iman, displayed artworks that she developed in the five years she has lived in Australia.

“I used to just paint animals, now I just paint women. In my country, women are oppressed, so now I paint women enjoying freedom,” Iman said. “Freedom is dancing. Freedom is wearing what you want.”

Held at the Auburn Centre for Community, the event activities were suitable for people of all ages and genders, with the aim of encouraging attendance from both men and women.

SSI Community Engagement Manager Trina Soulos said gender equality was an issue affecting the whole community, so it was important for all community members to be involved in celebrating International Women’s Day.

“Gender equality is not just an issue for women. Including fathers, husbands and sons in community celebrations like this is just one of the ways we can fight stereotypes and create more positive change for women,” she said.

“We wanted to capture the inclusive spirit of International Women’s Day and create a space where everyone was welcome to celebrate unity, gender equality, resilience and hope.”

Around 200 people attended the event, where lunch was prepared by sisters Sharon and Carol Salloum supported by SSI staff and volunteers. The culinary duo run Sydney restaurant Almond Bar and have been regular contributors at SSI events for refugees and people seeking asylum.

The event was a great example of community coming together, with contributions from Cumberland Council, the House of Welcome and the Women’s Creative Hub, Community Migrant Resource Centre, Auburn Diversity Services Inc, Olivetree Women’s Network, Aunty’s Ginger and Tonic, Australian Asian Cultural Association, Playgroup NSW, Reverse Garbage, Cumberland Women’s Health Centre and Parramatta Holroyd Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Committee.

 

Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell, 02 8799 6740

An evaluation by consultants Urbis prepared for the NSW Department of Family and Community Services found that ALNSW contributed significantly to improving peoples’ lives and returned an economic benefit to the community of $3 for every dollar spent.

ALNSW is delivered by Settlement Services International (SSI) in partnership with Uniting and Vincent de Paul across 44 Local Government Areas by 60 ‘Linkers’.

SSI Chief Operations Officer Stephen O’Neill said ALNSW was contributing to a significant shift in attitudes towards inclusion of people with disabilities, particularly in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

“Our bicultural and bilingual Linkers are accessing communities that have long been underrepresented and under utilising the support services available to them – both within the disability sector and other mainstream services,” Mr O’Neill said.

The Urbis report found that linking people to community and services has a profound effect on the quality of people’s lives and that people who have come into contact with the program are now actively engaged with and contributing to the community.

It also found that people from CALD communities have responded very positively to the program’s flexible, person-centred approach.

“So many of our participants tell us that having a Linker from the same cultural background or who speaks the same language has really helped them out of difficult and challenging circumstances, and facilitated the support they’ve needed,” Mr O’Neill said.

Since its launch in 2014, SSI Ability Links NSW has supported over 8,000 individuals and families across Metro North, Metro South and Southern NSW, and made over 80,000 community connections.

Mr O’Neill said given the reported success of the program, he hoped Ability Links would continue into the future as part of, or alongside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“With such strong evidence that Ability Links provides value for money and generates significant social and economic benefits for both the broader community and Government, we see a strong future for this program,” he said.

“The work of Ability Links is already diverting some people away from funded supports and improving the capacity of individuals and communities; this will help support the sustainability of the NDIS.”

Ability Links NSW is a State Government program that supports people with disability, their families and carers to connect with their local community, achieve their goals and aspirations and live enriched and fulfilled lives.

To find your local SSI Linker contact (02) 8713 9200 or email us at abilitylinks@ssi.org.au

Read the full report here.

Media enquiries

SSI Communications
Rekha Sanghi 0422 304 578
Anna Vilalta 0488 680 240

Most of the claims relate to the Fairfield LGA, one of eight areas where SSI delivers the Humanitarian Settlement Program in the Sydney metropolitan area. The HSS is funded by the Federal Government.

SSI is keen to clarify several key points being repeated in the media, often without substantiation or citing of sources. In some cases where sources are offered, correct data has been used to extrapolate incorrect conclusions.

This is an attempt to sort fact from fiction.

Syrian refugee arrivals claim 1:

More than 6,000 refugees from the Federal Government’s special Syrian humanitarian intake have been settled in Fairfield.

Facts:

Syrian refugee arrivals claim 2

The Fairfield property market has become unaffordable, with demand outpacing supply. The median rent for a unit is about $500 a week.

Facts:

Syrian refugee arrivals claim 3

Fairfield is struggling to settle refugees after a huge influx of new arrivals

Facts:

About SSI

SSI is a community-based, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, housing, asylum seeker assistance, multicultural foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.

Media enquiries

SSI Corporate Communications Manager, Angela Calabrese 0401 284 828

SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell, 0488 680 287

Covering a range of workshops and panel discussions, the symposium also featured a keynote address from NSW Australian of the Year Deng Adut, who shared his thoughts on education and his path to success as a renowned lawyer.

“Education opens the door to opportunities,” Mr Adut said. “It’s the only way you can make change and be the person you want to be. Self-education holds the key to enlightenment and has the power to improve humanity — that’s what we should celebrate.”

Addressing an audience of over 100 multicultural youth, Mr Adut also encouraged young people to work hard and embrace diversity in Australia.

“If you want to make change, be the person you want to be, but don’t discriminate and give back to humanity,” Mr Adut said. “Expand your mind, and work on yourself.”

SSI Youth Projects Coordinator Dor Achiek said the event provided a unique opportunity for young people from multicultural backgrounds to build critical skills and networks to support their future career path.

“Young people from multicultural backgrounds face many barriers to education,” Mr Achiek said. “English is often not their first language; Australian education systems are unfamiliar to them; and it can be overwhelming to adjust to cultural differences while they’re still defining their identity in Australia.”

“The 20 Voices Youth Symposium on Education sets the foundations for youth to identify goals, learn from others, and map a path for their future with the support of others. It enables them to consider what they want to achieve in life, and work towards their goals by accessing the appropriate services and support.

“Refugee and migrant youth deliver so much vitality and energy to our communities. They are inspirational entrepreneurs and budding community leaders, and it’s critical they receive the support they need to secure their path to success.”

Held at the Fairfield Youth and Community Centre, the 20 Voices Youth Symposium on Education featured a live music performance, inspirational speeches from former refugees, and workshops covering a range of topics such as career planning and how to access academic and social support in the education system.

Participants also learned about SSI’s Youth@Work mentoring program for refugee and migrant youth, and had the opportunity to meet new friends in a welcoming environment.

 

Youth Collective

From Bangladesh, Ms Khatoon (Wiley Park) came to Australia with her two children to join her husband. She lacked confidence because she believed her English skills weren’t good enough to find a job. After 12 months with SSI jobactive, participating in an SSI social enterprise and completing a variety of courses, Ms Khatoon is thrilled to have found her first job.

“I feel fantastic, and my manager and work colleagues are really lovely and we are a great team,” said Ms Khatoon.

SSI Employment and Enterprise Manager Terry Wilson said that SSI’s innovative social enterprises and recruitment service had helped almost 2000 people find work in the past financial year, including people of migrant and refugee background and people seeking asylum.

“We are very proud of the work being done by SSI Employment and our social enterprises that help jobseekers get work experience in fields as diverse as marketing, cooking, packaging, warehousing and retail,” Mr Wilson said.

“The time they spend with us not only gives them experience in a realistic work environment, it also helps improve the life skills they need to keep a job, such as punctuality, self-confidence and reliability.”

Ms Rigas (Bexley North) owned her own business in Greece and was very anxious about whether she would find work in a new country when she arrived just 10 months ago.

“I have always worked; work is very important to me but, because I am older, I thought it would be difficult for me to find work,” she said.

“But after just two months with SSI I got this job with Foodie Fee and I am so happy.”

Ms Khatoon and Ms Rigas are both employed with Foodie Fee (Arncliffe), an organic healthy snack business owned by Fiona Herron.

Ms Herron approached SSI because she particularly wanted to employ someone of migrant or refugee background.

Ms Herron said she wanted to help people who had recently arrived and needed employment opportunities to give them a head start.

“Part of my philosophy is for people to use their hands in their work and I’m hoping to build a business that will create work opportunities in an environment where there are fewer jobs due to machines and robots,” she said.

“As a small business you run around doing a lot of job descriptions, so when I was ready to employ someone, it was really easy to find staff through SSI.”

Ms Herron also really appreciated the food handling course that SSI organised for Ms Khatoom and Ms Rigas to complete before they commenced employment.

“It saved me time and money by the ladies having this certification already before starting work with us,” she said.

SSI Employment, based in Campsie, delivers jobactive as a CoAct member in the Sydney East Metro.

 

Media enquiries

SSI Communications Coordinator Rekha Sanghi 0422 304 578