It’s been a big year for Syrian brothers Sarkis and Garen Keshishian who have only recently come to call Australia home. But their sights are on the future and they have big plans to make their mark in the automotive industry.

Two busloads of refugee families travelled from Liverpool to an exhibition in Glebe for the launch of Courageous Journeys: A Family Portrait on November 16.

Tinsel and holly wreaths appeared in the SSI office this week – a sure sign that another year is drawing to a close and the summer break is around the corner. Like many people, I’m looking forward to a few weeks off to relax, revive and refresh myself for another busy year in 2017.

International Day of People with Disability was celebrated by SSI together with participants and Linkers from SSI Ability Links NSW in Ashfield on Tuesday November 6. The SSI auditorium was filled with the sounds of Jonathon Yung on piano to start off the morning tea event.

Over one hundred multicultural youth came together for the 20 Voices Youth Symposium on Education last month to learn how to navigate the local education system and take their career goals into their own hands.

Shagufta Hamayun moved to Australia from Pakistan four years ago with her husband and two children but she soon felt that something wasn’t right.

Multicultural youth from across Greater Western Sydney came together for the 20 Voices Youth Symposium on Education yesterday to break through barriers in Australia’s education system and build solid foundations for their future. Hosted by the Youth Collective, the 20 Voices Youth Symposium provided a forum for young people to share skills and experiences, build new networks, and learn how to navigate the education system to work towards their career goals.

Yarie Bangura spoke to a crowd of 150 Google employees about her small business Aunty’s Ginger Tonic, on Friday evening, November 25. The event was the launch of Google Give Week; a week during which Google employees are given the opportunity to donate to local charities whose initiatives are making a significant impact in the community.

A number of new directors were welcomed to the Settlement Services International Board Annual General Meeting, while three stepped down, including long-term Chair Kamalle Dabboussy.

Amina Khatoon has found her first job and Cicilia Rigas was employed after just two months with the Settlement Services International (SSI) jobactive service. These are just two examples of why SSI has again been awarded a five star rating by the Department of Employment for its efficiency and effectiveness in placing job seekers into sustainable work.

Amina Khatoon has found her first job and Cicilia Rigas was employed after just two months with SSI’s jobactive service. These are just two examples of why SSI has again been awarded a five star rating by the Department of Employment for its efficiency and effectiveness in placing job seekers into sustainable work.

We all know how active we are as an organisation, but these last few weeks have been especially busy with outcomes and events that I‘m very much looking forward to sharing with you.

Young people from all walks of life recently pitched in for the MY Kitchen Rocks event, which brought young people together to neet new friends over games, sports and activities.

Multicultural women contribute unique skills and talents to Australian society, but more collaboration between sectors is vital to help women from CALD backgrounds thrive in Australia.

Recent media reports have highlighted migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum as highly vulnerable at work. Accounts of low-paid work, unpaid wages, unsafe work conditions, exploitation and abuse are not uncommon. 

Deciding which career path to follow is challenging for most young people and former refugee Kane Alkoraghooli was no exception, until he got support from an SSI Youth@Work mentor.

Politicians, practitioners and women from diverse backgrounds will this week take part in a dialogue designed to drive social and economic change for multicultural women. The inaugural National Multicultural Women’s Conference 2016 – Influencing Change: Vision and Impact (NMWC) will showcase the resilience and strength of women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and discuss effective strategies, services, programs and approaches for supporting them in Australia.

Despite his mobility restrictions caused by cerebral palsy, North Ryde long term resident Brett Dyer isn’t the type who gets intimidated by day to day challenges. “I live by myself and when I’m at home I use a walking stick,” said Mr Dyer. “Outside, I use a scooter to get around and I’m pretty good with it. I use it even if I have to go far, like Macquarie Park.” Therefore, when he was told he couldn’t play lawn bowls at his local bowling club, he teamed up with his local Linker Ms Hiroko Kawashima from Settlement Services International (SSI) and his Occupational Therapist (OT) from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Michelle Cohen, to find a solution.

A young student from Syria has been in Australia fewer than 18 months but she’s already achieved something many people never do: she’s identified her dream and is chasing after it.