PROJECT HOPE | Hogan Design & Construction

The world of human trafficking is a dark, violent world that we have in front of us every day but rarely see or realize it. INK 180 works with State, Local and Federal Law enforcement and safe house organizations to provide free coverups of branding tattoos often forced on victims by pimps or traffickers to mark them, in tattoo form, as a piece of product (not unlike cattle ranchers do with their livestock). Women, men, boys and girls are forced to sell themselves for sex 10-15 times a day and return all of the money to their trafficker or face incredible violence or death.

The black and grey rose tattoos featured belong to Jaqueline, a victim of human trafficking for seven years in and around Springfield, IL. Her pimp, whose name was “Realist” forcibly tattooed “Realist B@#$%” on the back of her hands. She was rescued in an operation between the FBI and Springfield PD.

She entered a safe house program to begin counseling in a secured environment. After 2 years, she graduated from the program, moved into her own apartment far from Springfield and started a business doing landscape architecture. In addition to running her business, she also works hard as an advocate for survivors and an educator to help young people avoid the same thing she fell into.

Jaqueline made the decision to cover the original tattoos as opposed to removing them but had no idea what she wanted. Due to her love of flowers and her work, INK 180 suggested the roses. The coverups were completed in one afternoon and she was ecstatic. She no longer had to look at the horrible reminders of the past but the design also captures and represents the beauty and growth of her new beginning.

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Chris and Lisa Baker, founders of INK 180, grew up in South Central Los Angeles during the peak of the gang wars of the 80’s and 90’s. While they were not involved in gangs or gang activity, most of their friends were. When they started in 2011, their initial focus was on gangs but more specifically, helping people who were leaving that life in favor of a new life, free of violence and criminal activity. INK 180 does not judge people based on their past, but seeks to encourage them in their NEW life.

The chalk boarding tattoo coverup shown with this story belongs to Javier, a former member of the gang Satan’s Disciples. He is now a family man with a wife and recently, had his first child. (The time on the clock featured on his arm is the time that his daughter was born, just 3 weeks before INK 180 did the tattoo.)

He has moved his family far away from the streets of South Chicago where he grew up to give his family a fresh start. Javier now works as a manager in a warehouse and strives to give second chances to others who have a past. He also does outreach work with at risk youth and is letting his story serve as a cautionary tale to the reality of gang life.

“It’s not the brotherhood that the gangs often tout when recruiting kids into that life. The gangs see them as a disposable resource and that’s why we continue to fight as hard as we do, to steer kids away from the dead-end of gang life.”

In addition to removing and covering gang tattoos for people choosing to go in a much more positive direction, Chris and Lisa do outreach work in some of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods like Englewood, Little Village and Pilsen and speak in the school system to spread a message of positivity and other opportunities.

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