Yellow Ribbon appreciation and awards ceremony 2026 – Speech by Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Home Affairs

Mr Phillip Tan, Chairman of Yellow Ribbon Singapore & Co-Chairman of the CARE Network

Mr Matthew Wee, Commissioner of Prisons & Co-Chairman of the CARE Network

Award recipients

Ladies and Gentlemen

Championing Hope Through Second Chances

1. A very good afternoon to everyone.

2. I am happy to join you today at this Yellow Ribbon Appreciation and Awards Ceremony, a most meaningful occasion where we come together to celebrate hope, resilience, and the power of second chances.

3. This afternoon, we recognise a community that believes in transformation. A community that understands people are more than their past mistakes, and that with support and opportunity, lives can be rebuilt and futures reshaped.

Yellow Ribbon Singapore: Celebrating 50 Years of Transformation

4. This year is especially significant. As Yellow Ribbon SG marks its golden jubilee, we reflect on five decades of dedicated work in reducing recidivism through upskilling, career development and building an effective aftercare support network. From its early beginnings to the strong ecosystem we see today, Yellow Ribbon SG has helped shape a society that believes in second chances. I take this opportunity to congratulate Yellow Ribbon SG on reaching 50!

Evolution of Care Network

5. Earlier this month, on 1 April 2026, the Care Network turned a new chapter with the operationalisation of Yellow Ribbon Cares (or YR Cares for short). This new entity, YR Cares, was formed through the merger of core members of the Care Network - Yellow Ribbon Fund, ISCOS, and NeuGen Fund. This consolidation brings together resources, expertise, and networks to provide more coordinated support for inmates, ex-offenders, and their families.

6. With YR Cares, we will strengthen family support, enhance community partnerships, and create more sustainable pathways for reintegration. It represents our shared commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive society. Such a society not only offers second chances but also provides the support systems needed for lasting transformation.

Honouring 292 Award Recipients

7. It is my pleasure to honour 292 award recipients. They include community partners, employers, industry partners, donors, youth groups and desistors, all of whom have made valuable contributions and made second chances a reality.

8. To our community partners and social service agencies, thank you for walking alongside individuals and families on their reintegration journey. You have provided the necessary guidance and stability in their times of need and also helped them renew their sense of belonging.

9. To our employers, your willingness to look beyond labels and recognise potential has made such a significant difference to those trying to rebuild their lives. By offering meaningful employment opportunities, you have helped them regain confidence and self-worth.

10. To our donors, your generosity and support for second chances send a most powerful and enduring message, that everyone needs and deserves the opportunity to start anew.

11. To our youth, your involvement goes a long way towards building a resilient and forward-looking society. By championing inclusion, you are directly shaping the future Singapore that we want, one that is cohesive and inclusive.

12. And to the desistors we honour today, your courage and determination are an inspiration to us all. Choosing the straight and narrow path requires courage and perseverance. Your journeys remind us that transformation is possible, and that every step forward matters.

Championing Second Chances, Empowering Transformation

13. This year’s theme, “Championing Second Chances, Empowering Transformation,” speaks to both the importance of taking action and achieving impact. When we advocate for inclusion and create opportunities for reintegration, we champion second chances. When we equip individuals with the necessary skillsets, confidence, and mindset to rebuild their lives, we empower transformation. A truly inclusive society is one where we lift others up, where we recognise that everyone has the capacity to change, and where we work together to ensure no one is left behind.

Empowering Transformation

14. Let me share two examples that reflect the spirit of today’s theme.

15. First, Geneco. Geneco is known as an electricity retailer that powers homes and businesses across Singapore. But since 2023, they decided to power something else entirely – they decided to give a boost to second chances. So Geneco partnered with the Yellow Ribbon Project, the national movement launched in 2004 by the Care Network to champion for second chances. And Geneco wanted to do more, as genuine believers in human potential.

16. So for the past few years, during the annual festive seasons, Geneco launched campaigns featuring the artwork and festive goodies created by inmates. Through this, Geneco helped to share the stories of these individuals – their struggles, hopes, and journeys towards redemption.

17. What strikes me most is how Geneco saw beyond the labels. They did not just see "ex-offenders" or "inmates”. They saw artists, craftspeople, and human beings deserving of a second chance. In doing so, they demonstrated that corporate purpose need not just be about making profits, but importantly about using your platform to lift others up, to do good.

18. Next, I would like to share Andyn’s story, whose transformation exemplifies the power of second chances. More than two decades ago, his life was on a destructive path. Today, he stands as living proof that anyone can rewrite their story.

19. Through the Climb for Good programme, Andyn has been leading ex-offenders and at-risk youths on mountain expeditions in our neighbouring countries. These carefully designed journeys aim to build resilience, discipline, and self-esteem — with each summit representing victory over past struggles. What makes Andyn’s work particularly powerful is his authenticity. When Andyn volunteers inside prisons by giving talks to inmates, he serves a role model, with his words offering hope to them.

20. Andyn's dedication to second chances even sees him making gruelling 6,000-metre climbs in Nepal to raise funds for ex-offender programmes — literally lifting others up by reaching new heights.

21. Both Geneco and Andyn remind us that second chances are not just about individual transformation — they are about collective elevation. When we lift others, we rise together.

Closing Remarks: Continuing the Journey of Transformation

22. This afternoon, as we celebrate our award recipients, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to the Yellow Ribbon cause. Each act of support, each opportunity given, and each life transformed brings us closer to a more inclusive Singapore.

23. To all our award recipients, thank you for championing second chances. Your contributions are certainly shaping lives, strengthening families, and building a more resilient society.

24. Let us continue this journey together, empowering transformation, restoring hope, and enabling opportunities for those who are ready to take a step forward.

25. Thank you all very much and have a wonderful afternoon.