Dr Khursheedah Jonud, a Mauritius-born mother now living in Hassall Grove, had a long-life dream; publishing her own novel and sharing it for free with a large audience to enjoy it. After years of writing articles and sharing them with friends, she eventually finished her first book. The next step, however, was to find a way to have it published.

SSI’s first Speakers’ Series for 2016 was a powerful and inspiring evening, shared by 85 guests packed into SSI’s Ashfield auditorium and watched online at SSI’s YouTube channel.

One of the best ways to excel at your job is to start from the bottom and work your way up. Chris Blackwell, Team Assistant with SSI Employment Services, knows this very well. He can quickly identify the uncertainty and tiredness on the face of job-seekers the first day they arrive at the Campsie warehouse where SSI Jobactive operates some of its Work for the Dole (WFD) programs. Only six months ago, he was one of them.

There were big smiles on everyone’s faces when members of Blacktown North Public School Community Hub visited Luna Park in March. Community Hubs is a national program that supports migrant and refugee parents and children as they navigate the education system.

As with many new mothers in Australia, former refugee Aminata Conteh-Biger knew nothing about infant mortality rates before giving birth to her first child in 2012.

There was something for everyone at International Women’s Day celebrations at Banksia Road Public School, Greenacre. This event was a collaboration between many local stakeholders and the Banksia Road Public School Community Hub leader Marina Boutros.

Deng Thiak Adut is a notable community leader and internationally renowned lawyer. He came to Australia as a refugee, after escaping Sudan where he was abducted as a child and forced to act as a soldier. Once he was safe, he put himself through law school, becoming a formidable advocate. 

The rain did not dampen a warm welcome yesterday for the newly arrived Kaky family from Iraq, by the Federal Minister for Social Services Hon Christian Porter MP, and the NSW Premier Hon Mike Baird at NSW Parliament House today. 

Hana Sadiq has worked at Miller Intensive Language Centre in Liverpool for more than 10 years, and is now working as the School Support Liaison Officer. She is responsible for supporting students who are having problems, and families experiencing difficulties with language and settlement.

Like many Australians, Natalie Tsirimokos watched the global refugee crisis gain momentum in 2015 and felt compelled to act. “I spent a lot of time thinking about how I could help, so I began researching local not for profits,” she said.

The work of eight talented artists who are seeking asylum in Australia was recognised by hundreds of new people in February as the Home: Between Here and There exhibition travelled to Canberra for the first time.

A group of female refugees and their children came together to socialise and make new friendships on a recent visit to some of Sydney’s historic landmarks.

Settlement Services International (SSI) is proud to sponsor the 2016 Premier’s Harmony Dinner, and support the celebration of cultural diversity in NSW. SSI is a community-based, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, accommodation, asylum seeker assistance, multicultural foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.

An innovative partnership between Allianz Australia and Settlement Services International (SSI) will deliver new career opportunities and support for refugees and migrants who have settled in Australia. Today’s joint announcement by Allianz Australia Managing Director Niran Peiris and SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis coincide with the first week on the job for five recruits under the partnership employment program. The partnership aims to improve employment and educational opportunities for SSI clients as well as enhance workforce diversity at Allianz.

Settlement Services International invites its staff, partners, supporters of diversity and inclusion and refugee support professionals to participate in ORAM Training on Sexual and Gender Minority Refugees.

Fans of Indian film and supporters of Settlement Services International came together on Monday, March 7, to raise funds for SSI’s community engagement programs for refugees and asylum seekers.

Recently, SSI’s General Manager Peter Zographakis gave a keynote presentation, accompanied by an editorial, about the need for not-for-profits to diversify and build strong partnerships if they are to remain sustainable and prosper. This week we were proud to announce the culmination of months of friendly negotiations that resulted in one such partnership with insurer Allianz Australia.

A young Australian swimmer recently took to the water to raise funds for a surfing project that allows people seeking asylum in Australia to enjoy one of the country’s most iconic past times. David Wise, 27, participated in the 5km Cole Classic ocean swim on February 7, with the aim of ensuring that a group of people seeking asylum has the skills and knowledge to enjoy the water safely.

Oscar Al-kinani is just 20 years old but already he’s achieved several milestones that have brought him closer to his goal of working with an international humanitarian organisation. Since arriving in Australia 19 months ago as a refugee from Iraq, Oscar has completed English language and high school qualifications and he is now on track to finishing a TAFE certificate in community services.

“You know the best part of doing this?’ asks Ian Beasley as he folds white fabric in narrow, even parts; “That each one of the creations we made today is a one-off piece, they are handmade and can’t be replicated.”