All photography provided by Jonathan Vicksburg
Tattoo Removal
CleanSlate does not only assist gang members in their effort to move forward in their lives. Our client’s range from survivors of Domestic Violence, to those effected by the justice system in various ways. We also serve those who just need a tattoo removed because it no longer describes who they were at the time of the application. While all clients regardless of reason do receive our best discounts for participating in our groups, they still have the option to get tattoo removal at a very low cost without participating in the groups. However the discount is significant. CleanSlate is first and foremost a therapeutic process. We want to assist with the changing of the package while providing support in the process of self-understanding and acceptance.
CleanSlate is a program that does not believe in exclusion. We think that most of the people we serve have been marginalized in some way, for some reason. Gang members, felons, survivors of Violence from any source. Be it partner abuse, community violence or poverty, which in our opinion is violence, CleanSlate is here to assist you in the acceptance of self. Whoever that might be.
CleanSlate has a strong belief in dialogue being the answer to many of our challenges. When we understand each other and accept one another regardless of our lived experience we all learn and grow. We are not here to guide you to a place that we feel is where you should be. We want to support you on your journey towards self-acceptance. The many facets of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual identity, economic status and most important lived realities are what we celebrate at CleanSlate. Please feel welcomed to become part of the journey of knowing and accepting self.
Youth empowerment
While tattoo removal is our primary service, we utilize our platform to reach out to the youth as well, with our Street Dreams empowerment program. Street Dreams allows opportunities for youth that come from under served communities to experience activities and engagement that include but not limited to, meditation exercises, mindfulness and self reflection, cultural awareness, spoken word and inclusion in activities that are towards well being and self development.
Our Street Dreams program has allowed youth to attend sporting events, arts and crafts workshops and yoga infused sessions, among the other events, that not only enhance the mindset, but can also be the catapult towards fulfilling healthy base options to our youth. CleanSlate strives to continue to provide support to youth who have had challenges of oppression, violence, crime and poverty.
Street Dreams has had the pleasure to facilitate support groups that include Parenting, Anger Resolution, Gang Prevention, Substance Abuse and Gender Identity. Partner agencies have included Southern California Counseling Center, Children’s Institute, Avalon Carver Community Center, to name few.
Street Dreams is dedicated to improving the lives of our youth that include identity based, cultural focused and self worth type of values.