Going Beyond 20 Years of the Yellow Ribbon Project with an Exciting Transformation
Singapore, 9 May 2025 – After 20 years of championing second chances for ex-offenders, the Yellow Ribbon Project is proud to announce an exciting transformation aimed at deepening its impact and expanding its reach. While its mission and objectives remain unchanged, the movement will be entering a new era of outreach, with strategic branding, high-impact collaborations, and revitalised events and initiatives.
2. Launched in 2004 by the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-offenders (CARE) Network, the Yellow Ribbon Project strives to change society’s mindset, to give ex-offenders a second chance in life and also foster acceptance for their families. Over the past two decades, the Yellow Ribbon Project has made significant progress and achievements – high public awareness, and the number of employers who support the hiring of ex-offenders has increased by more than 2.5 times, from about 1,400 in 2004 to more than 6,500 in 2024.
3. The transformation will see the Yellow Ribbon Project better connect with our audience through embracing fresh, modern approaches in outreach, and working with more organisations such as grassroots organisations, corporates and schools; and inspiring greater community action to support the Yellow Ribbon cause.
4. As part of events revitalisation and expansion of outreach, the Yellow Ribbon Project is happy to be an impact partner of the 7th edition of the Unlabelled Run organised by The New Charis Mission. Themed “Drop the Label, See the People”, the run will be held on 28 June 2025 at the Singapore Sports Hub. Advocating for the removal of negative labels in society including the labels associated with ex-offenders, the Unlabelled Run believes that every ‘labelled’ individual with sufficient support and encouragement can aspire to be a significant contributor in society. This is aligned with the Yellow Ribbon Project’s message – that ex-offenders if given a second chance in life can contribute to society.
5. In view of our partnership with The New Charis Mission for the Unlablled Run 2025, the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run will not take place this year. It will return with a brand new look in 2026.
6. “The Yellow Ribbon Project has successfully championed second chances for ex-offenders for the past 20 years. It is timely for us to review and reimagine its slate of events and initiatives, so that we can inspire even more people to join us in the Yellow Ribbon cause. This year, the Yellow Ribbon Project is supporting the Unlabelled Run. Show your support for the Yellow Ribbon cause by taking part in the Unlabelled Run,” said Mr Sunny Lee, Chairperson of the Yellow Ribbon Project Steering Committee.
7. The transformation of the Yellow Ribbon Project begins now. More details will be released in the coming months.