SSI

There is much talk from all sides of government about migration numbers and foreign policy. But ultimately, migration is not about numbers, it’s about real people. CEDA - Committee for Economic Development of Australia brought together international and local speakers last week at an event in Melbourne to discuss how the changes in migration reform will play out in the upcoming Federal Election.    Our CEO Violet Roumeliotis AM Roumeliotis sat on a panel to discuss the current skills mismatch of skilled migrants in Australia. She spoke about the need for businesses and government to work together to break down barriers preventing migrants from fulfilling their potential in the workforce.    The biggest thing we can all do is use our voices – use our influence to push for changes in recognition policies that benefit both workers and businesses. You can join the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign and sign our open letter to the Australian Parliament. The more voices we have, the stronger our message becomes: https://lnkd.in/gZ3MCYJR   Melinda Cilento, Elizabeth Collett, Dr Mamta Chauhan, Teresa Liu, John Hart OAM #Migration #CEDA

Our Pathways to Possibilities project continues to expand in 2025, powered by a growing community of changemakers committed to enhancing economic participation for people with disability across Australia.   We celebrated a significant milestone last week with our first Community of Practice meeting of the year. This dynamic network now unites over 30 organisations, councils and peak bodies collaborating on inclusive employment strategies. Facilitated and co-designed by people with lived experience of disability, including Brendan Buchanan and Scott Taylor, the Community of Practice is looking forward to achieving far-reaching impact.   Supporting this collaboration is our newly published Community Stories booklet, which features compelling career journeys of people with disability alongside examples of inclusive workplaces. This free resource is a companion to the Pathways to Possibilities report launched last November, SSI’s blueprint for businesses to dismantle barriers to disability inclusion and implement real change.   A heartfelt thank you to all contributors and storytellers. With continued collaboration, we believe these success stories will become the norm across all Australian sectors.   To express your interest in joining the Community of Practice and explore the booklet, go here: https://lnkd.in/gdd9dNJZ   #PathwaysToPossibilities #DisabilityEmployment #InclusiveWorkplaces National Disability Insurance Agency, City of Sydney, Penrith City Council, Amplify Alliance Australia - Previously Jobs Australia, Disability Employment Australia, Wollondilly Shire Council, Navitas, NSW Health, Australian Disability Network, Uniting, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australia Post, Liverpool City Council (NSW), Inner West Council, Campbelltown City Council, Crown Resorts, City of Canada Bay, Fairfield City Council, National Disability Services, Geoff Trappett OAM

Fourteen of Australia’s most influential leaders have united in support of SSI’s Activate Australia’s Skills campaign to call for urgent reforms to unlock the skills of 620,000 permanent migrants in Australia.   Leading advocate Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM appeared on ABC’s The 7.30 Report to discuss the situation Australia has found itself in and why there is a need for reform.   Special thanks to all the endorsers for championing this nation-building reform: Gillian Triggs, Hass Dellal AO, The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, Martin Parkinson, Patrick McGorry, Melinda Cilento, Daniel Hunter, Lisa Annese, Liz Ritchie, David Borger, Craig Foster AM, Cassandra Goldie AO, and Mary Ann Baquero Geronimo.   To find out how you can get involved in the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign, visit https://lnkd.in/gZ3MCYJR

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