Yellow Ribbon Project Australia
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For 20+ years, we’ve addressed the drivers of harm through evidence, frontline practice Sometimes, even worse. Together we can make a difference.
The Yellow Ribbon Project, founded by Jade Lewis, is a Western Australian prevention movement protecting young people, women and families from preventable social harm. The Yellow Ribbon Project for Second Chances Australian exists to give female offenders, ex-offenders and those at risk of offending, a second chance at life. Started by Jade Lewis & Friends Inc which was launched in April 2011 by the Hon. Colin Barnett, the program seeks to work with broken, hurting and marginalised females in our community who need help and support to rebuild and restore their lives. The idea is to engage the community by providing training and other opportunities to prepare them to accept female ex-offenders and their families back into society. The Yellow Ribbon Project for Second Chances Australia today runs 9 weekly programs in Western Australian prisons for women, youth in detention, pre and post prison release mentoring programs, youth diversion programs, awareness programs, training of mentors and school drug prevention presentations. The Yellow Ribbon Project has been inspired by the popular song, ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree’, which you would have heard playing in the background as your entered this morning. It is s supposedly based on the real-life tale of an ex-offender’s journey to forgiveness. There are three lines from the song that sums up the helplessness of the offender and the need for forgiveness from family and the community.
“I’m really in prison and my love,
She still holds the key,
A simple yellow ribbon’s what I need to set me free”
The ‘SHE’ referred to in the song, “She still holds the key” is the family, friends, neighbours, employers, colleagues, volunteers, churches and the Community at large willing to unlock the second prison. . We realised that no matter how good the rehab programs they undertake while in prison, unless these women are given a second chance and be mentored, supported and accepted back into community once they are released, some of them find themselves right back where they started from. Sometimes the stigma of being in prison can be worse than the prison sentence itself. It’s like the women leave one prison and enter another one
The Yellow Ribbon Project for Second Chances is not about us condoing what the females offenders have done; but looking at new opportunities to help them rehabilitate so that hopefully they won’t do what they have done again. The first step to this whole process is of course the female prisoner being sorry for what she has done, and motivated to make positive changes in her life. Singapore and Fiji also run their own Yellow Ribbon Project Programs. Jade has travelled to Fiji and been part of seeing the wonderful impact that the Yellow Ribbon Project has on the wider community. Today as a community we have an opportunity to show our support of The Yellow Ribbon Project by wearing a yellow ribbon. (Get your yellow ribbon here) When you wear a yellow ribbon what you are saying in an unspoken way is “I forgive you and I am willing to find ways to help you with a second chance.”
And this is what the yellow ribbon project aims to: engage the communitiy in giving female ex offenders a second chance at life
John F Kennedy said “Don’t ask what your country can do for you; but what you can do for your country
And as we continue to advocate for these women, we are motivated to help them find their purpose which is far greater than drugs and crime and violence. And not just for their benefit but to see them helped but that they can help to others too. We invite you on this journey with us to building safer communities and stronger families.
17/09/2026
🎉💛We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Qantas, helping us take our prevention work to more regional communities across WA.
For more than 25 years, our work has been about having the conversations that help prevent young people and families from experiencing the challenges that can have a lasting impact on their lives.
What began with one school presentation in 2000 has grown into a prevention movement reaching communities across WA.
Now, thanks to Qantas, we can take this work even further and reach more young people and families in regional WA.
We’re excited to see where this takes us.
Thank you, Qantas, for helping us make it possible. 🫶
14/09/2026
There is power in a testimony. 💛
These photos capture a little of what made the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast on Friday, 4 September, so special.
The Second Chance Choir brings together people with different stories. Some have lived their own second chance. Others have walked alongside someone they love, mentored, supported and believed in them.
But together, we sing the same message.
We sing because we believe in second chances.
And we sing for those who haven’t found theirs yet.
Because behind every person is a story. And sometimes all someone needs is for another person to believe that their story can change.
There is hope.
There is redemption.
And there is always the possibility of a different future.
10/09/2026
Our Second Chance Choir at the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. 💛
Bringing together people from many different walks of life, united by the belief that everyone deserves a second chance.
We’re so proud to share our beautiful performance with you. We hope it blesses you as much as it blessed us.
What a privilege to share this moment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBkC2LBFcCg
GPB 2026 - 2nd Chance Choir Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
Respectful Relationships.
We have to start young—before the crisis happens.
In Australia, on average, one woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence.
It never starts with homicide.
It starts with disrespect.
Control.
Put-downs.
Isolation.
Manipulation.
That’s why prevention matters.
If we want safer communities, we can’t wait until harm occurs. We need to teach young people what healthy, respectful relationships look like before the warning signs become a crisis.
Prevention isn’t just possible. It’s essential. Prevention is better than cure. We must stop it at the start.
07/09/2026
We are working ons something beautiful 💛
What a beautiful morning at the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. 💛
Today, our Second Chance Choir had the privilege of sharing their voices and their story with an incredible room of people.
Second Chance Choir was created from a simple belief: everyone deserves a second chance.
Our Choir brings together people from all walks of life, using music to create connection, belonging and hope.
Today, they reminded us that our past does not have to define our future. That there is hope. That there is restoration. And that sometimes, finding your voice is where it begins. 🎶💛
We are so proud of our Second Chance Choir and the message they continue to carry into our community.
03/09/2026
Katanning, you showed up. 🌻🎗️
A room full of women.
Good conversations.
Lots of laughter.
And some really important topics.
Our HER Community Sundowner in Katanning was an evening of connection, conversation and encouragement, with discussions around women’s health, relationships, wellbeing and the different seasons of life.
A huge thank you to Jade Lewis, Dr Lauren Neppe (Women’s Health Great Southern ), Rochelle Masters (Masters Psychology) and Annabelle Harvey for sharing your knowledge, stories and wisdom, and to CRC Katanning for helping bring the evening together.
Thank you to everyone who helped behind the scenes, our wonderful photographer, and the local businesses and community members who generously donated prizes for our raffle. Your support means so much.
And to every woman who came along, brought a friend, shared a story or simply took the time to be there...
Thank you. This is HER Community. 💛
Katanning, we loved being with you.
HER Community. Every woman. Everywhere. 🌻🎗️
Busselton today. 💛
Respectful relationships. Safe parties. Online behaviour. Drugs and alcohol.
The conversations young people need to be having.
After 25+ years in schools, the message remains the same:
We don’t just tell young people what to do. We give them the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.
Because every conversation matters.
01/09/2026
Parents have more influence than they realise. 💛
Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to sit with parents of Northshore Christian Grammar School and talk about some of the challenges young people are facing today.
The pressure.
The influence of friends.
Social media.
The difficult conversations.
And how, sometimes, the most important thing a young person needs is to know there is an adult they can turn to.
The message to parents was simple:
You matter.
You don’t need to have all the answers. Being present, staying connected and keeping the conversations open can make such a difference in a young person’s life.
Our work in schools is about creating those conversations and helping young people and the adults around them feel more confident to navigate the challenges they face.
Keep talking. Keep listening. Keep showing up.
Because every conversation matters. 💛
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96 Slade Street, Bayswater
Perth, WA
6053
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