Determined young refugee takes life by storm: learns English, finds casual employment and invests into future
Serina Saka arrived in Australia as a refugee from Iraq after spending four years in Lebanon with her parents and four siblings.
SSI welcomes government’s expansion of English language program
Settlement Services International welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement today that it will expand access to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
Hardworking taxpayers left with almost no support: an insight
“There are many, many honest and hardworking taxpayers, now unemployed in our communities who have almost no support. They are in serious crisis,” said SSI Community Engagement Practitioner, Paula Ben David.
SSI congratulates new Chair of SBS, George Savvides
Settlement Services International congratulates George Savvides AM on his appointment as the Chair of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) and looks forward to working with him for the next five years, as the media organisation continues to give a voice to all Australians, regardless of gender, geography, age, cultural background or language.
Refugee Week, launched with new research, was celebrated 1.5 metres apart but still together
The pandemic has changed how communities come together, and 2020 presented a challenge that required Settlement Services International (SSI) and Refugee Week partners to readapt usual modes of engagement for events and celebrations.
High-achieving refugee becomes university student peer researcher
When Abdallah Al Tibi and his family had packed their belongings in 2012 to seek temporary refuge from Syria in bordering Jordan, they did not anticipate that they’d never return, and packed for only two weeks.
Iraqi-born researcher and refugee gets work published in prestigious scientific journal
Iraqi refugee and PhD student of astronomy Rami Alsaberi arrived in Australia in December 2016 with his parents, brothers and sister as a family unit of seven from Iraq after spending three years in Jordan.
New research shows social networks provide refugees with significant foundations for belonging
New research by Settlement Services International and the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, challenges narrow economic definitions of successful refugee settlement and, instead, suggests social and civic dimensions are equally valid markers of refugee integration.
Research aims to improve screening for domestic violence so refugee women get the help they need
Settlement Services International (SSI) is collaborating with the University of Wollongong (UOW) in a research project to identify and address domestic violence experienced by newly arrived refugee women.
COVID-19 leaves Australia’s most vulnerable without food on the table
In response to overwhelming demand, SSI is distributing donated food packages to individuals and families from asylum seeker backgrounds.
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 selected to deliver disability services to 16,000 people
The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, today announced Settlement Services International (SSI) would deliver frontline Local Area Coordination Services for the NDIS in two areas in New South Wales.
SSI saddened that millions miss out in JobKeeper scheme
Settlement Services International (SSI) welcomes the passage of vital JobKeeper legislation that will help six million workers and their families to put food on the table, pay bills and self-isolate safely.
SSI hosts migration pathways event for Latin American communities in Melbourne
An information session for those in the Latin American community in Melbourne has helped over 30 people understand more about Australian protection visas and migration pathways.
Empowering Women through Employment
Federal Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, were among the participants today at an event in Parramatta to improve understanding of the strengths of women from diverse background in work.
Armidale local shares skills with refugee and aspiring photographer
Armidale local and freelance photographer Simon Scott partnered with Settlement Services International (SSI) to use his skills to foster the talent of aspiring photographer and Ezidi refugee Salwan Qasm Muhi.
Claims of refugee unemployment crisis miss basic facts
A high jobless rate among newly arrived refugees is not indicative of a systemic unemployment crisis and typifying it as such ignores the long-term trends in refugee settlement, according to a leading refugee settlement provider.
Armidale Regional Council wins human rights award for dedication to refugee settlement
Armidale Regional Council, a key partner in a Settlement Services International (SSI) program to relocate Ezidi refugees from Syria and northern Iraq, has won the Government Award in the 2019 Human Rights Awards, presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission in Sydney on December 13.
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.
Armidale community shows the way for regional settlement
A unique approach to regional refugee settlement is delivering strong results for integration and refugee retention in the new settlement location of Armidale, offering insights that will guide other regional centres seeking to welcome newcomers as long-term members of their communities.