YRCP Appreciation and Awards Luncheon 2024 Mobilising Communities, Strengthening Families

SINGAPORE, 16 November 2024 – Introduced in 2010 by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and managed by the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) since 2015, the Yellow Ribbon Community Project (YRCP) is a grassroots-led initiative where trained volunteers visit families of offenders to offer them social support and assistance such as financial assistance, casework through Family service centres, and vouchers for food and essential items.

SPS and SANA held the annual YRCP Appreciation and Awards Luncheon 2024 today, in recognition of the commitment of the grassroots volunteers in supporting families of offenders. The event, held at Singapore Expo, was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance.

As of October 2024, all 93 grassroots divisions had come on board the YRCP, with over 1,100 grassroots volunteers trained to effectively reach out to more than 23,000 families islandwide. Today, 28 awards were given to the grassroots divisions and another 292 awards were presented to individual volunteers for their commitment to the YRCP over a span of 3, 5 and 10 years.

In his opening address, Minister Chee Hong Tat congratulated the Yellow Ribbon Project (YRP) on its 20^th anniversary and how it had successfully garnered community support to give second chances to ex-offenders. He also shared about the expansion of the YRCP. Firstly, the existing booster packs sponsored by Heartwarmers Volunteer Group, Inmates' Families Support Fund, and the Yellow Ribbon Fund will increase from $80 to $150 annually for Groceries and Daily Essentials (per family) and Back-to-School Essentials (per child). A new $150 early childhood essentials pack will also be introduced for families with children aged 5 and below. Secondly, a developmental roadmap will be designed for all YRCP volunteers to facilitate and guide their development of their skillsets to better support the families. Lastly, a new YRCP Portal will be launched by end of next year to digitalise information and processes to assist families impacted by incarceration and allow volunteers to manage and monitor aspects of their volunteering activities.

Superintendent Ong Choon Yong, Senior Assistant Director of the Community Partnership & Family Policy Branch, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Division at SPS said, “As we celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the YRP, we recognise the invaluable contribution of our YRCP volunteers. All 1,100 dedicated individuals across 93 grassroots divisions formed the cornerstone of our efforts and is a vital community touchpoint for the families of inmates and ex-offenders. Since 2010, your work has reached more than 23,000 families.  As we look to the future, we are committed to developing your capabilities and expanding your impact, ensuring that together, we can continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of ex-offenders and their families, ultimately contributing to a safer and more inclusive Singapore.”

Madam Lau Lai Meng who has been a dedicated YRCP volunteer at the Teck Ghee Division for over a decade said, "I've been conducting visits to families within our community to better understand their challenges. Over the years, I've observed that repeat offenders often lack pro-social support to help them reintegrate into society. As a YRCP volunteer, I have learned that second chances are not just given but built.  By offering guidance and support to ex-offenders, we're not just changing individual lives, but transforming entire families and communities.”