Singapore, 30 June 2018 – Over 300 people, young and old, gathered this morning with their families to take part in a special Amazing Race within the Singapore Zoo. This is part of the Family Day event organised by the Industrial & Services Co-operative Society Ltd (ISCOS), a social co-operative to support ex-offenders and their families.

Sponsored by T-Touch and Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow, the Family Day is one major highlight for the Yellow Ribbon Fund-ISCOS Fairy Godparent Programme (FGP). The yearly event seeks to encourage families to spend quality time over fun and interactive activities. It was attended by Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Communications and Information.

At the event, Ms Sim emphasised on the importance of coming together to help the vulnerable members in our communities. Said Ms Sim, “The work of ISCOS exemplifies the spirit of SG Cares, a national movement to support the goodwill of Singaporeans, and better help those in need. Co-operatives like ISCOS play an integral role in bringing together like-minded partners from the people and private sectors to make Singapore a more caring and inclusive society.”

Aptly themed as ‘Safari Getaway,’ parents and children made their way through the Singapore Zoo to look for multiple clues and solve questions at every pit stop designed for the Amazing Race. In their quest to become the fastest team with most correct answers, the families learnt interesting facts about animals while enjoying each other’s company. Thanks to the volunteers from Essilor Vision Foundation, the participants also gained insight into the importance of eye care in a fun and engaging way.

After the Amazing Race, the crowd was treated to stage games and simple booth activities such as “Slam Dunk” and “Rattle the Bottle”, before having a sumptuous lunch at the Forest Lodge.

The FGP supports children of inmates and ex-offenders from low-income families to achieve good education and acquire positive life skills, with the objective of preventing inter-generational offending. Under the programme, ISCOS provides academic assistance through bursary awards, sponsored tuition and mentoring to the children. With a strong emphasis placed on the importance of building strong family units, family bonding activities and parenting workshops are conducted throughout the year. The FGP team also helps to create conducive study corners for the children in their own homes through home reorganisation and/or painting projects, backed by the support from volunteers.

About Industrial & Services Co-operative Society Ltd (ISCOS)

Since 1989, ISCOS has been extending friendship and support to ex-offenders and their families so that they can lead meaningful and productive lives. Together with the CARE Network/Yellow Ribbon Project partners such as Singapore Prison Service, SCORE and other aftercare agencies, ISCOS takes an active role in engaging the community to help ex-offenders and their families gain a foothold in the society.

As a social Co-operative for ex-offenders under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs, our programmes and services are geared towards enhancing the skills level of our members, connecting them with supportive employers, providing social support through positive peer groups, building stronger family units, as well as extending academic assistance to their children in order to prevent intergenerational offending.

For more information, please visit www.iscos.org.sg.

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