Clean Start
(Tattoo Cover-Up)

In addition to the Gang Awareness Workshop, a tattoo cover-up project has be started by Paa Pii Wak. Clients wishing to leave the gang life can have their negative tattoos covered-up by a more acceptable tattoo. The objective is to feel accepted in main stream society by erasing all traces of their negative lifestyle and affiliations. It gives a client a chance to make a "Clean Start".

When someone has negative tattoos on their face, hands, neck or forearms, it can affect the way people look at you and treat you.

They might look at you with fear, mistrust, and assumption which can be judgmental to the person who has a negative tattoo.

Their reaction might be to reject you, which can mean a badly needed job, acceptance into training or a desired career. This type of treatment can be damaging to someone that needs to be supported and wants to have a new start.

Having the ability to erase the past and make a “CLEAN START”, can be achieved if you take the initiative.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

• To provide a tattoo cover-up when someone’s safety may depend on it.
• To provide a tattoo cover-up when a job or career is at risk.
• To provide a tattoo cover-up if request is for closure and a new beginning.
• To re-establish individualism.
• To promote education on tattoo and body modification safety.
• To assist other agencies in providing this service.
• To promote well being through volunteerism, safety and positive change.

PROJECT CRITERIA

• Agency or self-referrals are accepted.
• Participants will be required to write a brief letter stating reason why they require this service.
• Participants will be interviewed by Paapiiwak Gang outreach staff.
• Participants will be asked to contribute financially to tattoo cover-up procedure.
• Participants will be required to complete a volunteer assignment.
• Participants will be required to sign an agreement prior to tattoo cover-up procedure.
• Participants are expected to have legitimate reasons for service.
• CLEAN START project will contribute up to $250.00 per individual.
• Photographs will be taken before and after tattoo cover-up. (procedure for records)

"In 2004 I had my tattoo covered by Clean Start here at the Thunderbird House. I had a gang tattoo on my left hand, and I was about to have a baby. I also knew that I didn’t want this on my hand anymore. I had already started my journey to a new life and this was kind of like my graduation. Its a few years later now and I feel the best I have ever felt. Thank you Paapiiwak for helping me erase some of my past mistakes."

Your friend forever
- Charlene