SSI

Amidst the state-wide foster carer shortage, finding foster carers who can provide safe, loving homes that keep children connected to their culture is more important than ever. Beyond community outreach and targeted marketing, our Multicultural Child and Family Program (MCFP) is also forging strong partnerships with local groups that share our vision and can help us reach more potential carers. We’re excited to partner with St Joseph Parish Moorebank, whose commitment to supporting children through their Somascan programs aligns perfectly with MCFP's mission. Our recent collaboration at their fundraising ball, where Ghassan Noujaim, Amira Armani, and Jessica Collet represented SSI and promoted the program to attendees, is just one example of how collaboration can create real change. Could your organisation help us make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children? Get in touch with our team: https://lnkd.in/gcPs8wNY

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the well-deserved recognition of Dr Astrid Perry OAM, who last night received the Lifetime Community Service Medal at the NSW Premier's Harmony Awards. Astrid has dedicated over 40 years of her life to advancing human rights and social justice for migrant and refugee communities, with a particularly profound impact on the lives of women and children. Her unwavering commitment is evident through her decades of sustained effort and leadership, both in her professional career and through voluntary work, making a lasting impact on the lives of those she has championed. As Head of Women, Equity & Domestic and Family Violence at SSI, she has led groundbreaking initiatives that empower women and support them to not just survive but thrive. Astrid's longstanding commitment has transformed policies, services, and lives - creating safer, more inclusive communities. This award is a testament to her incredible legacy of leadership, compassion, and impact.

Supporting community where they gather during Mardi Gras! 🌈   Last month, members of our dedicated Local Area Coordination team proudly represented SSI in the heart of Sydney's LGBTQIA+ celebration at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day in Victoria Park.   With an estimated 70,000 attendees, our team was busy on the ground providing NDIS information and connecting individuals with disability supports in their community. These community interactions are truly at the heart of what we do.   Fair Day stands as a powerful celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity and a platform for elevating diverse voices. For us, it also highlighted the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people with disability, who often navigate complex barriers to accessing the support they deserve.   The day also gave us valuable opportunities to collaborate with fellow disability service providers, exchanging insights on creating more inclusive and accessible support systems.   Special thanks to Mandi Watts, Brittany Jackson, Joanne Dundas, Callum Braithwaite, and Luciana Farina Maloney for lending their time on their day to ensure our presence was truly impactful. #NDIS #MardiGras

As the 2025-26 Federal Budget approaches, SSI is advocating for initiatives to ensure government policies and services reach those who need them most. We’re asking the government to fund five key initiatives designed to strengthen inclusion, safety, and equality for the communities we serve. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g736WcXb #FederalBudget2025

It was an honour to celebrate International Women's Day amongst the growing and vibrant multicultural communities in regional NSW.     Tamworth, Coffs Harbour and Armidale are home to nearly 20,000 multicultural women.  We witnessed this vibrant diversity firsthand when we teamed up with Mosaic Multicultural Connections for our special NSW Women’s Week events, ‘Moving Towards Change’.  The events were filled with live entertainment, a delicious community lunch, and inspiring table conversations that sparked connection and reflection.  It was amazing to hear the experiences of living in regional communities from women of all walks of life, including women from refugee and migrant backgrounds, First Nations women, local leaders, and service providers from across the regional towns of Tamworth and Armidale.  This gathering highlighted the critical need for enhanced support services for diverse women in regional communities-something we have long experienced through our work supporting women in regional NSW communities. A huge thank you to our keynote speaker, Keli McDonald, National Rural Womens Coalition’s Coalition, for her inspiring words and NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison for joining us at our Armidale event. These events were proudly funded by the NSW Government, Women NSW. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 

In 2022, after the war broke out, Olga fled her home with her family. Seeking safety for her children, she arrived in Australia and began rebuilding their lives in a new country. Her journey was not easy, like that of many women refugees, but her new life required and highlighted the importance of an attentive and gentle approach in resettlement services. Migration is an incredibly complex and personal experience, often shaped by conflict, trauma, and loss.This journey also intersects with a range of unique challenges tied to personal challenges and specific of her qualification and profession. That was a place where she transformed individual refugee experience into a powerful tool to help other newcomers. This #InternationalWomensDay, we recognise that women's experiences are shaped by multiple intersecting factors. Today we proudly launch our second national Gender Equity Strategy 2024-2027, ensuring women receive the support needed to thrive, rebuild, and contribute meaningfully to their new communities. We reaffirm our commitment to gender justice for all women, whatever path brought them here. Read Olga's full story: https://lnkd.in/gZaQ6zHS Learn more about SSI's second Gender Equity strategy: https://lnkd.in/gpWUmHDY #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #IWD25

Behind the doors of our Logan Maternity Hub, refugee women find the support they need to confidently begin motherhood in Australia. Follow a day with Rania Abdalla at the Hub! From picking up the mothers from their home, coordinating doctors and midwives, organising activities, referring women to critical supports, and so much more - Rania is the heart of our Logan Maternity Hub. Learn more about how we support newcomers: https://lnkd.in/gVzkMu8W 

After dedicating many decades to women's equality and social justice, SSI's Juliana Nkrumah AM and Astrid Perry OAM continue their vital work by bringing refugee and migrant women's experiences to the global stage.    They will join forces with SSI’s CEO, Violet Roumeliotis AM at our parallel events at #CSW69 standing up for the voices of migrant and refugee women.    Next month, they will share their expertise to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 2025 in New York, where they’ll lead crucial discussions.     You have the special opportunity to join these important conversations and be a part of these international events virtually.    ‘Unveiling the structural disadvantage’ will explore the challenges faced by women across the migration spectrum in their country of permanent settlement’ in accessing the labour market and achieving gender equality.    Join us on Monday, March 10 at 7.30pm (AEDT)  Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gS6CN348 ‘Emerging yet hidden’ will delve into an issue that remains hidden in plain sight: modern slavery which has become an increasing concern in communities and governments of host countries where migrants and refugees settle. This event will explore the rise of modern-day slavery in Australia, the underlying issues and enablers, and the collective efforts of communities, NGOs, and governments in prevention and intervention. Join us on Friday, March 14 at 9.30am (AEDT) Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/g4dFq2fj

Australia’s skills and qualifications recognition system is leaving too many people behind. We're pleased to have Craig Foster AM as an ambassador for our Activate Australia's Skills campaign, working to change this.   In his new interview series, Craig speaks with highly skilled professionals who are unable to work in their field due to this outdated processes. Their stories highlight the urgent need for reform.   Have you faced challenges having your skills or qualifications recognised in Australia? Share your story and help drive change: https://lnkd.in/gCp7NnCQ

We welcome the latest Australian government announcement to make permanent a community sponsorship pilot ensuring more people in need of protection can find safety and belonging in Australia. Since 2022, the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) has been testing a new, community-led approach to refugee resettlement in Australia. Based on the successful Canadian model, CRISP allows groups of everyday Australians to sponsor and support refugees.   The pilot aimed to complement Australia’s existing humanitarian programs by expanding pathways for displaced individuals and families.     CRISP has shown the power of community-driven settlement, fostering deep connections between refugees and local volunteers, while providing a structured and sustainable model for long-term integration. We encourage the government to ensure these private sponsorship places are in addition to, rather than replacing, the humanitarian places Australia has already planned to support. By ensuring that community contributions supplement Australia’s overall commitment to those displaced by conflict and persecution, more Australians could be encouraged to participate in community sponsorship. As a long-time advocate for increasing safe and supported migration pathways, we look forward to working with the government, Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia, and civil society to further develop and enhance Australia’s humanitarian framework. Read full statement: https://lnkd.in/gj4rdruq