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Area
Teens have the opportunity to change
a life's mistake
into a future they can be proud of...
Click here to read heartfelt letters from people
who have gone through this program
D-TAG Tattoo Removal Program
The Metrocrest Medical Foundation is proud to assist youth
in Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Farmers Branch, The Colony and northern
pockets of Dallas with the
D-Tag Tattoo Removal Program. Through a partnership with Carrollton-Farmers
Branch ISD school nurses, three local dermatologists, RHD Memorial Medical
Center, Southwest Ancillary, Inc., and the Carrollton/Farmers Branch Police
Department, this collaborative program provides students the opportunity for
removal of homemade gang related tattoos to foster self-esteem and personal
growth, and allow recovery from the gang lifestyle. Some students hit barriers
because of visible tattoos while trying to enroll in trade school, junior
college, join the armed forces or gain employment.
Students voluntarily choose to get out of the gangs to
better their status in life. They self-enroll and must meet the following
criteria:
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gang tattoos must be home made, not professionally
done,
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tattoos must be visible when wearing a short sleeved
shirt; only tattoos on the hands, arms, neck or face are considered for
removal,
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student must perform 10 hours of community service for
each treatment session, and
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students must have a mentor who will work with him/her
and verify community service.
Because of the strict criteria, the students’ recidivism is
minimal at 15%. Once they have been through the long process of tattoo removal
appointments and community service hours, we are proud 85% are successful in
their lifestyle change.
MMF partners with…
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three dermatologists who donate their expertise six times a
year to administer the laser machine,
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dedicated Carrollton/Farmers Branch Independent School
District school nurses who donate their time to aid the physicians and
oversee the students,
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RHD Memorial Hospital which provides space in their Day
Surgery Department,
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Southwest Ancillary Services who donates the laser machine
and the
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Carrollton Police Department who supports the program and
students and are present for all sessions and recommends potential students
Approximately 40-50 adolescents with multiple appointments
throughout the year will be served. Flyers have been placed in all area high
schools and middle schools, Brookhaven Community College, local police
departments and chambers of commerce. Currently, officers in the Carrollton
Police Department are carrying business card size “flyers” to give to students
they feel would be agreeable to getting out of the gangs to better their lives
as well as the lives they touch.
The D-Tag Tattoo Removal Program is a year-round project. MMF is involved
all year in fundraising to cover the costs of all the medical supplies,
administration of the funds and reporting to the donors.
Read comments from those who have gone
through the program:
From a young man who now has a wonderful
job, is engaged, and is enjoying life to the point that he admits he literally
cannot wipe the smile off of his face!
Ms. Bond,
I am writing to say "Thank you" for a full year of
treatments. I began this part of my life last May and it is going very well.
I am very grateful for every opportunity I have had to meet
the people who work with this program. It has definitely enhanced my life in
ways I had not imagined. I am so close to wearing short sleeves to work!
Beyond that, I feel more confident about my appearance and my ability to
succeed.
I can not express my gratitude in mere words. All I can do
is continue to serve as an example of a life completely turned around.
Please forward this to as many of the volunteers as you
can. Without them, without you, without the board members,
without Zulema;
none of this would have been possible for me.
Thank you all a million times over. I can't wait to see
you all again.
Sincerely thankful,
(D-tag client)
Charlotte
McGaughy went through 9 treatments (average is 2) to remove her tattoos so that
she could join the Army upon graduation from high school. She completed
her community service hours through the Battered Women's Shelter.
Read a heart felt letter from a proud mother:
To all of the wonderful people
who make the D-Tag program possible,
I am sending this email to let you know that Charlotte has
achieved her goal of becoming a proud part of our military. On your web page it
states that she was joining the army but after weighing all her options she
chose to join the air force. She is now Airman Charlotte McGaughy and it would
not have been possible without the wonderful work you do. She and I would both
like to thank you for giving her the opportunity to move forward in a new
direction and want you to know that she is making the most of it. As a proud
mother I know that going through the D-Tag program was a major turning point in
my daughters life and that it truly allowed her to leave the past behind and
move toward a much brighter future. With my deepest gratitude and sincerity I
thank you on behalf of myself, my daughter and all the others you help and wish
all of you the best in continuing to do so.
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Metrocrest
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