This presentation shares how the Yellow Ribbon Project (YRP) journeyed from a humble beginning into an internationally recognised movement.
The YRP was born in 2004, drawing inspiration from the song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree”. The start of YRP was challenging as it was an abstract concept in the beginning and we had to overcome biases towards ex-offenders.
With a clear vision, sustained outreach and public engagement over two decades, we have been able to gain public mindshare of what the Yellow Ribbon stands for.
The YRP’s strengths lay in galvanising the people, private and public sectors to create awareness of giving second chances to ex-offenders, champion acceptance of ex-offenders, and inspire community action to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders. This whole-of-community approach increases public trust and encourages community support and adoption of the YRP, with the ultimate aim of lowering the recidivism rate.
The many successful YRP signature initiatives continue to drive YRP’s momentum as we celebrate its 20yr landmark this year; art exhibitions, song writing showcases, concerts, culinary competitions, poetry writing and story-telling competitions, mass walk and run. Communications efforts using a multi-platform approach also complemented community outreach efforts, thus maximising YRP’s reach and engagement, leading to a high level of awareness amongst the community.
We hope that this universal theme of second chances will transcend borders, with countries beyond Singapore also leveraging YRP to weave an ever-expanding ribbon of hope and opportunities for ex-offenders and their families.
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Raathiga J
Senior Assistant Director, Yellow Ribbon Singapore, Singapore
Raathiga embarked on her professional journey in 2004 as a Career Coach, providing invaluable case management support to ex-offenders as they transitioned into the workforce. Her commitment to reintegration led her to the partnership unit, where she played a pivotal role in the seamless migration of the old career portal to a new platform, facilitating a smooth registration process for both employers and job seekers.
Currently serving as an Assistant Director in the YRP unit, Raathiga oversees the conceptualisation and organisation of impactful Yellow Ribbon events and initiatives. Her active engagement with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds underscores her passion for showcasing the talents and contributions of inmates and ex-offenders to the society. Raathiga's unwavering dedication to inclusivity in both society and the workplace reflects her efforts to galvanize the community and drive positive change.
