Yellow Ribbon Awards 2022

203 Awarded for Achievements and Commitment to Second Chances

Singapore, 2 November 2022 - 203 employers, community partners, ex-offenders and volunteers were honoured today at the Yellow Ribbon (YR) Awards 2022 for their achievements and contributions towards championing second chances for inmates and ex-offenders.

The second edition of the YR Awards, which returned as a physical ceremony this year after being conducted virtually last year, was held at The Star Gallery. The event celebrated the successful reintegration of ex-offenders and the efforts of the community in shaping a more inclusive society.

Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information & Second Minister for Home Affairs, was the Guest-of-Honour at the event. In her speech, Mrs Teo highlighted the important role of community partners, employers, and volunteers in forming a strong network of pro-social support for ex-offenders. She also commended the ex-offenders who are actively paying it forward, making Singapore a better place through volunteering for social or environmental causes.

The YR Awards comprise two categories.

1. The ‘Advocates of Second Chances’ category recognised 60 ex-offenders, also known as ‘Overcomers’, who have remained crime-free and contributed back to the community in their own ways. In addition, 129 employers, community partners, donors and individuals were also recognised for their contributions towards reintegration of ex-offenders.
2. The ‘Beyond Second Chances’ category honoured 14 ex-offenders, individuals, employers, organisations and partners who had played an integral role in rallying the community to positively support and impact the lives of ex-offenders and their families.

Ms Grace Sim, recipient of the Advocates of Second Chances (Overcomers) Silver award, said: “My employer and colleagues were very patient and willing to guide me although I had no prior work experience. They also gave me opportunities to go for courses to upskill myself. Through my work, I gained independence, and am now able to support my son and my family. My mindset now is totally different from the past – I have so much now, and it is not worth it to throw it all away. I am very grateful for the second chance that I was given, and I want to show them that their decision to trust me was right.”

The event included a performance by the YR Performing Arts Centre (PAC) Alumni, comprising ex-offenders who are passionate about making a positive impact to those around them through the power of music. The event closed with a light-up activity involving all attendees signifying how each individual can play a part in offering second chances.

Mr Freddy Low, Chairperson of the YR Awards 2022 Committee and Deputy Director (Skills) at Yellow Ribbon Singapore, said: “The diverse group of attendees we have today shows the tremendous support we have from the community, which has helped inmates and ex-offenders become successful Overcomers of their past and makers of their future. The journey of reintegration is never easy nor straightforward. These awards are small gestures to celebrate the progress of our community, as we continue to move forward together towards a safer and more inclusive society which believes strongly in giving second chances.”

About the Yellow Ribbon Project
Started in 2004, the Yellow Ribbon Project is a community initiative in Singapore that aims to create awareness of the need to give second chances to ex-offenders, generate acceptance of ex-offenders and their families in the community, and inspire community action to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders into society. Its vision is to strive for an inclusive society, a nation beyond second chances.

The Yellow Ribbon Project is an initiative under the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders (CARE) Network, which comprises Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Singapore Prison Service (SPS), Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG), National Council of Social Service (NCSS), Industrial & Services Co-operative Society Ltd (ISCOS), Yellow Ribbon Fund (YRF), Singapore After-Care Association (SACA), Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) and NeuGen Fund (NeuGen).