SSI led the “Every child has a culture” forum in Bankstown, on June 21, emphasising the importance of cultural recognition and diversity in out-of-home care.

Majed Al Zanad was four years into a medical degree when the war in Syria forced him to abandon his studies. Like many refugees, he is now facing the challenging process of getting his past experience recognised so he can resume his medical studies in Australia.

Blacktown North Public School launched its Community Garden on June 28, thanks to contributions from local businesses, community organisations and the school’s Community Hub leader, Hasret Mehmedali.

NSW Community Hub leaders came together in July for their regular school break team meeting.

SSI and the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) are seeking expressions of interest for the Young Refugee Women Scholarship Program to attend, and actively participate in, the National Multicultural Women’s Conference 2016—Influencing Change: Vision and Impact.

Few people can imagine the tumultuous mix of emotions refugees experience on arrival in their new country. Adam Bujairami, however, has no need to imagine, having been a refugee himself.

Despite his mobility restrictions caused by cerebral palsy, long-time North Ryde resident Brett Dyer isn’t the type who gets intimidated by day-to-day challenges.

Ability Links NSW (ALNSW) teamed up with Playgroup NSW and SSI Community Engagement on July 12 to hold an inclusive and fun day outdoors for children from all backgrounds.

Several newly arrived refugees have secured full-time work and dozens more have been offered paid apprenticeships as part of a joint venture to help new arrivals develop a career in the construction industry.

Settlement Services International (SSI) is taking part in the iconic City2Surf running event, with dozens of staff, volunteers and supporters joining the cause to support refugees and people seeking asylum in NSW.

Since arriving in Australia with his wife and son less than 12 months ago, Maxeem Georges has begun studying a master’s degree in finance and started working for a large insurance company in Sydney.

The past fortnight has brought heartening news for the refugee community, with the NSW Government’s announcement of a new round of funding to support refugee resettlement.

A talented refugee from Syria has used his IT and web science skills to co-develop an online platform to help bridge the gap on one of the greatest challenges facing newly arrived refugees – employment.

The New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival 2016 was a standout success, with more than three thousand people coming together to celebrate the talents and skills of artists who were refugees and asylum seekers.

Khaledah Alrubaie is a highly skilled engineer with two university degrees and a masters. She also happens to be a refugee.

Settlement Services International welcomes the unprecedented funding of $146 million over four years by the NSW State Government in this week’s State Budget to help Syrian and Iraqi refugees start a new life in NSW.

Record-breaking numbers of forcibly displaced people worldwide have increased the importance of this week’s Refugee Week celebrations, according to Settlement Services International (SSI) CEO Violet Roumeliotis. The annual celebration of the courage and contribution of refugees would be a particularly poignant occasion this year in light of the staggering number of refugees and other forcibly displaced people around the world, she said.

Starting a business takes perseverance and hard work. That is especially true in a foreign country with different business practices and a new language, like Syrian refugee Zaher Batal has done.

Settlement Services International (SSI) is piloting an initiative that aims to inform people seeking asylum about the Australian workplace and prepare them to enter the workforce.