When
there is a
blackout
bring out
the light
About Blackout
Blackout @ Emily is a fund-raiser to support the continuing education of ex-offenders to help them reintegrate and contribute to society. Funds raised would be channeled directly to the Education Fund managed by Singapore After-Care Association so more incarcerated lives may be positively transformed.
Why Blackout?
When a city experiences a blackout, everything stops.
No lights. No TV. No internet. No air-conditioning. No everyday creature-comforts that runs on electricity.
During a blackout, we become sensitized to just how much the things around us means to us. And how much we have taken for granted.
Just as an incarcerated life goes through a Blackout, we too may have taken some members of our community for granted. Can a life that has gone through a Blackout re-adjust and reintegrate into society? Can a person who is here but really away for years get back on the right track? Can a person regain his confidence and self-esteem and walk out of his own darkness? Where is the real Blackout?
Blackout celebrates the simple gesture of reaching out to light a candle in the dark. Just when it is needed most.
When there’s a Blackout, bring out the light.
About Education Fund
The Education Fund, or Edu-Fund, was set up by Singapore After-Care Association (SACA) to supplement the Lee Foundation Education Assistance Scheme and to provide further assistance to student-clients who needed financial support to complete their education.
The Edu-Fund works on an incentive principal in that eligibility for it depends on attaining certain grades/standards in the respective semester exams. In addition, the participation of student-clients in the various activities and workshops run for them count towards a system of earning credits that enables them to qualify for additional funding from the Edu-Fund.
On average a university student-client on LFEAS will get half of the course fee of $3,200 annually. This means that students will still have to come up with $1,600 themselves every year and this is where the Edu-Fund can make a big difference.
The funds raised from Blackout @ Emily 2009 will go 100% to the Edu-Fund, which means all money raised will go to the beneficiaries.
About Singapore After-Care Association
The Singapore After-Care Association (SACA) was formed in 1956 and was registered as a charity in 1984. The Association is a voluntary welfare organisation affiliated with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and is also a member of the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-offenders (CARE) Network.
SACA is the key agency providing welfare and rehabilitation services for discharged offenders and their families. The Association recognises that, upon release, the discharged offender would face problems related to employment, stigmatisation, acceptance by the family, etc. It also recognises that, during a client's imprisonment, the family may be faced with several emotional and financial problems.
SACA's aim is to assist discharged offenders and their families to cope with problems arising from the offending behaviour and the consequent incarceration. This is done with the belief that such assistance would give discharged offenders the chance to reintegrate into society successfully thereby reducing the chances of recidivism.
SACA is governed by a Constitution. The Association is managed by an Executive Committee, which comprises volunteers from the public and representatives from the Ministries of Manpower and Home Affairs, Prisons Department and the Singapore Police Force. The Committee is elected into office annually during the Annual General Meeting.
About Blackout Volunteer
Blackout @ Emily is organized by volunteers from all walks of life who believe in giving back to society through their talents, skills, time, effort and connections.