Photos! Photos! Photos!

More photos to be found HERE.

Second Chances in the Park: It's over!

Last night, the weather forecasts all said that there would be thunderstorms over the city at 4pm. This caused a rather large amount of distress for the Second Chances team (and especially to me).

But today at Hong Lim Park, not only was it NOT raining, it was actually sunny! Which made it perfect for chillaxing on the grass listening to the awesome music from the bands and having a chat with friends and family, eating grapes and slurping candy canes.

It was a cosy little gathering, with smiles all 'round. We also had quite a few passers-by stop to enjoy the music, take some photos and find out more about what we were up to, which means that more people know about Yong Vui Kong and the mandatory death penalty issue in Singapore, which is always good!

We collected quite a number of signatures for Vui Kong's birthday banner, which will be given to him (if possible) for his birthday on the 16th of January.

On behalf of the Second Chances team, I would like to thank the bands for their music, and everyone who attended our event to share in the good times. We would also like to thank Just Beer (for loaning us the sound system), Joshua for designing our logo (that led to the badges, T-shirts and banner), Han Thon for the photography, James for the videography, Lynn, Andrew and Shelley for all the help and advice, and Jolovan for helping us out when we were really FLAT BROKE! Thanks also to Jarrod for helping us get the folding tables and to Russell and Jann (and various parents and friends) for helping us out with the transport, since youth = no car/got car also dunno how to drive.

If we've forgotten anyone, please forgive us! Know that we thank you and love you anyway! ❤❤❤

That said, the campaign is far from over. Now that Second Chances in the Park is over, we're going to have a little break for Christmas and then come back to think about another event for the 16th of January:  a birthday cake for Vui Kong. We can't imagine how difficult it must be to have a birthday on the eve of the week in which it gets decided whether you live or die, and we just want to come together to let him know that he's not alone. (And also to eat cake, cake is good.)

So if you couldn't make it to Hong Lim Park today, no fear, for there is another chance in January!

Cheers,
Kirsten

P.S. I'm sorry there aren't more photos at the moment, but we'll be putting up photos soon. We're also working a little video montage for those who couldn't make it to the event, so watch this space!

IT'S ON TOMORROW!

The generator's been picked up. Tonight two of us are going to pick up the sound system (seeing that neither of us drive, something really simple is turning into a bit of a logistical nightmare). We've got the guestbook for people to write messages in. The banners are all ready. The performers are lined up. We're all registered with NParks. We've got the T-shirts, wristbands and badges. Everyone's fingers – plus toes – are crossed for good weather.

Apart from the weather which we have no control over, everything is coming together for Second Chances in the Park, and we hope that you'll help us make the event a successful one by joining us tomorrow. After all, there's plenty to celebrate this season – it's Christmas, we're alive, we're young, we're blessed, we're happy, GDP is up, exams are over, etc. etc. And of course, CELEBRATE SECOND CHANCES! :D

Sunday is coming!!!

Last night, TheOnlineCitizen organised Face To Face, the political event of the year. Thanks to the team and everyone who turned up, it was a great success and a very interesting night. But now that's over, the next big event of this week would be Second Chances in the Park! :D

We're still working hard to make sure that everything will go smoothly, but things are falling into place nicely: bands/performers, T-shirts/wristbands/badges, banners, etc. We want this to be as good an event as we can make it, and hope that you'll join in the fun!

Singaporean youth are often criticised as being apathetic, spoilt or uncaring. We hope that with Second Chances in the Park we can show people that there are Singaporean youth who are willing to come forward and speak up for what they believe in. At the same time, we would also like to send messages of support and hope to Yong Vui Kong and everyone else who has ever made a mistake in their lives. It would mean a lot of us if you would come down to Hong Lim Park on Sunday to join us as well.

Bring your parents/children/relatives/friends/teachers! We will not be protesting or demonstrating, but just celebrating how wonderful it is to be alive, to be young, to forgive and to be forgiven. Feel free to bring picnic mats and baskets and have a nice picnic on the grass in the park! (How often do people in Singapore actually have outdoor picnics, anyway?)

Although only Singaporeans and PRs are allowed to perform/make speeches, we welcome anyone and everyone who would like to drop by and hang out with us, as well as sign Vui Kong's birthday banner. The Second Chances team will also be available the whole afternoon for you to come up and have a chat; we'd love to see you!

See you there!

To all those who supported us at Face To Face last night by buying T-shirts, badges and wristbands, thank you! For those who didn't get the opportunity, all these goodies will also be at Hong Lim Park on Sunday.

Frankie - Hardened criminal to successful artist

We have a new story to share with all of you, courtesy of Lianain Films:



Listening to his story, it seems like there is nothing Frankie hasn't tried before in his life. Armed robbery, drug peddling, gang fights (with serious injuries and even death), escape from jail... he really did do it all. He spent a large part of his life doing time for all sorts of offences.

Thanks to the Yellow Ribbon Project giving him a second chances, he's managed to turn things around for himself, and is now a pretty successful artist. He is held up as an example to all. "See? The Yellow Ribbon Project works!"

Hearing his story makes me feel like there's hope in everyone, no matter how young or how old they might be. It is never too late to change your life. It is not impossible for people to turn things around.

And so if Frankie could do this with such success, why should we deny Vui Kong the opportunity to try? After all, he is half Frankie's age. With the proper guidance and rehabilitation, he too could change his life and show us the value of second chances.

See you on the 19th at Hong Lim Park, 4pm!

Second Chances – Banner Painting

We'd arranged to meet at 4pm, thinking that the worst of the afternoon heat would be over by then. WRONG. Thankfully there was shelter for us at Bras Basah Complex!

After assembling all our gear (brushes, fabric paints, banner cloth etc.) we started to draw. Or rather, we stood around the banner hoping that someone else would start to draw. With none of us being particularly good at art, everyone was afraid of drawing and "ruining" the banner!

Fortunately Tavis manned up and showed us all how it's done. He did the outlines for the whole banner, so the rest of us more "chicken" people could just paint within the lines.

It was plenty of fun painting, and everything went pretty well, which was a huge relief. No one spilled paint, and although we were attacked by the wind a few times we always managed to save the banner before the paint got smudged everywhere.

Damien smudged a bit of the logo once, but everyone deserves a second chance, so we forgave him. ;)

We did kind of run out of green paint, though...

Painting went from about 4:30pm all the way to 8:30pm! We had to wait for the paint to dry, and then we also did a second banner for everyone to sign for Vui Kong's birthday.

It was a long afternoon's work, and all we had to offer was Oreo cookies. So here's a big THANK YOU to everyone who showed up to paint these banners – they look great!

As Damien said, "Probably the happiest banners to be at Hong Lim Park!"

Check out more photos at our Facebook group!

Presenting Second Chances wristbands and badges!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is our great pleasure to present...

SECOND CHANCES WRISTBANDS AND BADGES!

As part of our fundraising efforts for Second Chances in the Park, we will be selling these for S$3.00 (without postage) or S$3.50 (with postage).

Get them posted to you, or pick them up on the 19th at Second Chances in the Park – it's up to you!

If you are interested in buying any wristbands or badges, please email webelieveinsecondchances@gmail.com and we'll get back to you regarding postage/payment/any other enquiries as soon as we can.

And please, share this with all your friends! Help us make Second Chances in the Park a success!

(We're still fixing up a few little bugs and problems with our PayPal system, so if you run into any trouble using it let us know and we'll try to fix it for you. Thank you!)

Paint a banner, have some fun!

We Believe in Second Chances is gearing up for Second Chances in the Park!

This Sunday (12th December 2010) we will be at Bras Basah Complex painting our banner for the event. Come join us for an afternoon of socialising and fun with paint! Help us design and paint the banner, or just come by to say hello and hang out – either way, we'd be really glad to see you!

Feel free to bring your drinks and snacks as well, if you'd like to sit and chat (or feed the event team hehehe).

Join the fun!

Share this e-invite on your blog, your Facebook, your Twitter! Spread it to all your friends! Come join us and have fun!