What is Project New Start?

Project New Start is a county-wide non-profit comprehensive program for at risk, gang-related or formerly gang-related/affiliated youth who want to make positive changes in their lives and have their visible gang-related tattoos removed.

The program coordinates tattoo removal and mentoring with other social support services. Youth develop and commit themselves to a vocational and/or educational plan with their sponsors from local agencies. In addition, they must do at least 50 hours of community volunteer work of interest to them. The volunteer work is to assist youth in connecting to their local communities in positive ways.

Project New Start staff work closely with participants and sponsors to monitor and support the goals that have been set and organize treatment clinics. Local hospitals donate space for the clinics while trained doctors and nurses volunteer their time to perform the laser procedures.

Project New Start is designed for people who find that their tattoos negatively impact their safety, self-esteem or employability.

How are the tattoos removed?

Tattoos are removed through a laser process that breaks up the pigment of the tattoo and causes it to fade over the course of multiple treatments. This process can take from four to ten sessions or more depending on the size, quality and colors of the tattoo. There is some discomfort associated with treatments, frequently described as being similar to rubber band snaps or grease spatters hitting the skin. Though we cannot guarantee results, laser treatment is safe and does not cause scarring in most people.

Treatment sessions are conducted every other month for those participants who keep up their program commitments.

How can I get my tattoos removed?

Live in Alameda County
Be 13 - 25 years old*
Be dedicated to making positive lifestyle changes
Be employed, enrolled in school or receiving job training
Work with an adult sponsor who will support you in meeting your    personal, educational and vocational goals
Contribute a minimum of 50 hours of community volunteer work -- part of     which must be completed prior to the first tattoo removal treatment

Program participants have certain responsibilities to fulfill in order to stay in the program. Participants must:
Keep up with program requirements
Meet probation/parole requirements
Not be convicted of a crime
Not get new tattoos

Though treatments are postponed during pregnancy, women stay enrolled in the program.

If you meet the above requirements and are ready to commit to having your tattoos taken off, call us for an application packet and an interview appointment.

Project New Start is a cooperative effort of numerous individuals and community-based youth organizations:

The Office of Alameda County Supervisor Gail Steele
Project New Start Advisory Council
Alameda County
   - Public Health Department
   - Behavioral Health Care Services
   - Medical Center
   - Highland Campus
   - Sheriff’s Department
   - Probation Department
University of California, Davis
   - Lisa D. Benton, M.D.
   - Vic A. Narukar, M.D.
Highland Foundation
   - Alice Kaida, R.N.
Community Counseling and Education Center
Kaiser Permanente
Washington Hospital
City of Oakland
Jill L. Friedman, Esq.
Astra Pharmaceutical Company
E. Fougera & Company
Pfizer Pharmaceutical
E.B.O.N.E. - East Bay Organization of Nursing Executives
Witkin Foundation
BFI
East Bay Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Collaborative

South County sponsors include:
City of Fremont Human Services Dept
Friday Night Live
Fremont Healthy Start
League of Volunteers
Second Chance, Inc.
Tri-City Health Center


To contact Project New Start tattoo removal programs:

Southern Alameda CountyAnd Tri-Valley Residents:
Project New Start
Community Counseling and Education Center
3775 Beacon Ave., 2nd Floor
Fremont, CA 94538
Contact Aaryn Church: 510-792-4964 ext. 185

Northern Alameda County Residents:
Project New Start
Alameda County
Public Health Department
1000 Broadway, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607
510-208-5926

Central Alameda County Residents:
Hayward New Start
Eden Youth Center
680 W. Tennyson, Hayward
Hayward, CA 94544
510-785-6690

Alameda County’s New Beginnings
Second Chance
*( For adults over 25) Contact Tommy Botkin: 510-792-4357

Other Bay Area Programs:
Napa County 707/252-6222
San Francisco 415/642-4419
San Mateo County 650/877-5759
San Jose 408/251-7757
Santa Cruz 831/462-7700 ext. 7169
Monterey County 831/758-2501

For other areas try: www.tattooremoval.org