DPM Teo Chee Hean at Yellow Ribbon Community Project Awards and Appreciation Luncheon

Connecting Hearts, Strengthening Communities 

Parliamentary Secretary Amrin Amin
Fellow Grassroots Advisors
Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Soh Wai Wah, 
Chairman SCORE, Mr Chng Hwee Hong, 
Volunteers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is very nice to see so many of you at today’s appreciation lunch for grassroots volunteers involved in the Yellow Ribbon Community Project. 

I have just come back from two days overseas. Both mornings I woke up early, looked at the news and there’s turmoil all over the world. And it really brings home to us how important it is to look after the peace and harmony, security and stability of our home here in Singapore. Whatever differences that you may have, whatever problems or challenges you may have, you can overcome it. And we can overcome them more effectively if we do so together, united as one people.

The situation in Turkey is still very fluid. MFA has advised Singaporeans there to be in touch with both the Mission in Ankara and MFA in Singapore, and to stay safe and to stay indoors. The events of the last two days illustrate how important it is for us to look after our security, and make sure that we can enjoy the peace and harmony that we have had for many many more years to come.

And what you’re doing here today is a very important part of that. Because what you are doing also helps is to make sure that we overcome our problems together. We help each other. Those who may have issues and problems temporarily, we help them to reintegrate into the community so that we are one. We share our joys, we share our sorrows, we carry the burdens together, and progress together as one country and one people.

The Yellow Ribbon Community Project Has Expanded 
 
Started as a pilot project in 2010, the Yellow Ribbon Community Project, or YRCP, is now in its 6th year. Through this project, grassroots volunteers reach out to inmates’ families to offer emotional, social and financial support, and help them cope with the incarceration of their loved ones. This is important because families provide inmates with moral and emotional support both during their incarceration and after their release. We hope that the inmates will also do their part, by working hard on their rehabilitation and reintegration journey, because it needs both parties to make it a success.

Over the years, the YRCP has expanded steadily from the initial 8 grassroots divisions to 64 participating divisions today. Starting with 58 volunteers, there are now more than 850 volunteers who are trained to help inmates’ families. So far, the project has helped over 4,000 families in areas such as housing, education and social assistance. 

Volunteers Going the Extra Mile

These achievements are made possible by the many volunteers who consistently go the extra mile to reach out to and help inmates and their families. Many of you have full-time jobs, and sacrifice your personal time on weekday evenings or weekends to support this meaningful cause. Sometimes, our volunteers need to make several visits before you are able to get in touch with the families, but you keep trying until you succeed.

Referring ex-offenders and their families to the Social Service Office for financial assistance. Distributing food rations to needy families. Linking up inmates’ families with relevant government agencies for the necessary assistance.

These are just a few of the many positive examples of the good work by our volunteers. Please join me in giving our volunteers a warm round of applause. Thank you for providing community support to the inmates and their families who are trying to turn their lives around, for the better. 

YRCP 2.0 – The Next Phase 

Building on the encouraging progress over the past 6 years, Prisons and the CARE Network are now embarking on YRCP 2.0. 

YRCP 2.0 will introduce 3 new initiatives. First, volunteers will encourage inmates’ families to participate in community programmes organised by the grassroots.  This will strengthen the social support network available to these families. Second, at the inmate’s request, volunteers will encourage family members to visit the inmate. Some inmates have not been in touch with their families for a long time. We hope that the community support will help the inmates to reconnect with their families. This will go a long way in supporting the inmates’ reintegration upon their release.

The third initiative is the key focus of YRCP 2.0, and is targeted at helping the children of inmates. During house visits, volunteers will identify children of inmates who may require help emotionally, academically or financially. The volunteers will connect the children to caseworkers from community agencies and programmes run by VWOs. The children will have access to mentors, bonding and enrichment activities involving parents and mentors, tuition classes, and bursaries. 

Such early interventions are important, to minimise the disruption to the children’s lives arising from their parent’s incarceration. We want to help them cope with their schoolwork, while providing valuable guidance, support and mentorship.  
     
This initiative will be part of the CARE Network Children Support Programme, which will coordinate efforts among various agencies, VWOs and the grassroots to meet the children’s needs. Thank you for coming together to provide stronger support to these vulnerable children. This is another step towards building a more inclusive society – where government agencies and community partners stand ready to help everyone who makes the effort, so that we can all progress together.

With these new initiatives, our volunteers will be able to make an even greater impact on the lives of ex-offenders and their families. I encourage divisions to come on board YRCP 2.0.

Conclusion

The work of our Yellow Ribbon Community Project volunteers has been invaluable in supporting both the inmates and their families on the path to reintegration. Volunteering can often be tiring and challenging. But it is also meaningful and rewarding. Your sacrifice and efforts are greatly appreciated. We hope more volunteers will be inspired by your good work, and join us to provide community support in the inmates’ rehabilitation and reintegration journey.

I wish the Yellow Ribbon Community Project every success as it embarks on version 2.0.  Through your good work, we can continue to connect hearts and strengthen communities, and build a more caring and cohesive society, always ready to help those who make the effort to help themselves. Thank you.