More than 2,800 families of inmates have received help through the Yellow Ribbon Community Project. The initiative now has more than 700 volunteers, up from just 58 when it first started five years ago.
Grassroots volunteers from 15 divisions were honoured on Saturday (Jun 6) at an awards and appreciation lunch. They are trained to assess the needs of the families of offenders, which can range from financial aid, to counselling.
Thoughts:
- I first heard of the Yellow Ribbon Community Project after attending a charity run by Yellow Ribbon Fund. I thought that other than helping ex-convicts to find jobs, their family members who are outside should also be looked after as well. This is because some of these families might lose their sole breadwinner, or the convict might be the only parent at home.
- I would like to find out more about this project, and see if long term support can be given to such families. It would not be meaningful if the engagement with them is once-off. Support structures should be there always, so that people in need can turn to and rely on.
- Nonetheless, the Grassroots are also not trained specialists to provide support. They can refer these needy families to the necessary agencies for help. Afterwhich, a visitation once every few weeks would suffice to see if the families are coping or not.
Thoughts anyone?
Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big
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