Tattoo Program Gives Young People a Clean Slate

kpix ^ | 01/27/05 | Dashing Dasher

[Dashing Dasher]

Kelly Namowicz has a plan for the rest of her life.

"I want to go the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco," she says. "I want to be a professional chef."

But until now, there were 14 things standing in her way: tattoos that once almost covered her hands and arms, forcing her to wear long sleeves to job interviews to avoid being stigmatized.

"People judge you," Namowicz says. "People don't want to admit it, but it happens."

Now, the tattoos are almost gone, thanks to a city program called Clean Slate. It pays for laser treatments that erase the tattoos, and help wipe away the past. Namowicz says her kids helped her decide to do it.

"I want to be that positive role model for them," she says.

Now in its tenth year, Clean Slate is targeted at helping young people turn their lives around.

"You've got to be 14 to 25, live in San Jose, and you have to have gang-related tattoos in the exposed parts of the body," said project coordinator Juan Avila. "That's hands, neck, wrist, face, arms."

That made Victor Guizar a prime candidate. Just 24 years old, Victor has been incarcerated for a third of his life -- beginning at age 13. He has tattoos on his arms, chest, neck, and head. He even shows us some in his mouth. Most of his tattoos he got behind bars, and almost all are gang related. But he's leaving that life behind because most of his friends are drug addicts, in prison, or dead.

"I told my homies, 'My life is going to be different now,'" he says. "They said, 'We've been waiting for that.'"

The procedure just takes a few minutes. It stings, and leaves a mark like a sunburn that eventually wears off. But people like Victor Guizar say it's a small price to pay for starting over.

[Protagoras]

I told my children when they were that age that if they ever felt they wanted to kill me all they had to do was get a tatoo and I would commit suicide because my entire effort at raising them had been a failure.

They thought it was a tad over the top,,,,, but they never got one. :^}

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

No I think you misunderstand, judge not is used by many non-christians as justification for their actions....however when I use this scripture I am referring to NOT JUDGEING HARSHLY OR UNFAIR OR WITHOUT WISDOM....IE Matt 7:2-5 "For in the same way you judge others (there is the authority to judge), you will be judged (If we judge poorly, we will be judged poorly; if we judge well, we will be judged well), and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. In addition to your statement all Christians are a work in progress, therefore a little grace should be extended by those who are more mature in Christ, also we should always read and view scripture in it's full context.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

I agree with you that a persons appearance can say much about a person, however does it tell you if someone is honest or loyal, that they are of good character....yes and no. Many people dress the outside up but they are filthy inside.

[ßuddaßudd]

A tastful tat never goes out of style.

[F16Fighter]

"I'm in the middle of a midlife crisis, and I'm considering a tattoo."

Remain sober, and stay away from the 'Spongebob' tattoo.

[F16Fighter]

"Body piercings are even more stupid."

What better way than a tongue piercing does a young lady to advertise her "skills"?

It's more obvious than wearing neon lights.

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

Hey I love my Reagan tattoo and have no plan of ever removing it.....I will be the hippist chick in the old folks home..

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

What are the odds that I will get of MY gang tattoo??

[GatorGirl]

I have two, one from college and one more recent, both small, meaningful and inconspicuous.

I've had them for quite a while and haven't had a moment's regret!

[k2blader]

however when I use this scripture I am referring to NOT JUDGEING HARSHLY OR UNFAIR OR WITHOUT WISDOM....

My point stands.

[BobS]

I dated a nice woman recently. And she was a nice woman. When she bent over to pick something up, she had a big Harley-Davidson tattoo right over her ass. I didn't say anything. Negotiations are on-going about the type of date the next one will be.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

Yes, Yes....your getting the LAST WORD does stand.

[Pnutt8806]

Well I am almost 19 and wish to have a gang tatoo removed off of my wrist. I got it when i was 13. I am now attending medical school. It is way to expensive to have it removed. Does anyone know of a place in the sacramento area that will remove mine for free?