Program removing gang-related tattoos receives forfeited van to expand operations

A Winnipeg woman who offers free tattoo removal services for former gang members is expanding her operations.

A program operating out of Winnipeg that assists people reintegrate into society by removing their gang-related tattoos was the recipient of a special donation last week to help expand its operations.

On Oct. 3, Mother Ink Tattoo Removal — which offers free tattoo removals to people leaving prison, gang life, or cycles of violence — received a minivan to help bring its service to rural Manitoba communities.

Della Steinke, the founder of Mother Ink, said the vehicle is “going to be a life changer.”

She said the vehicle came to fruition after she invited Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe to tour her program’s Sargent Avenue office. Police officers also had the chance to tour the office.

“And then when I mentioned how I want the project to grow, … I got a call from Matt Wiebe’s office saying that he really was touched by the fact that not only did I want to help here, but I want to go help as many people as I can,” Steinke told CTV News.

“And that’s when everything started with them actually donating the van.”

Decals on the vehicle indicate it was originally forfeited as a proceed of crime by Manitoba Justice before being gifted to Manitoba Ink.

Steinke said the project has been going on for over 11 years, originally starting with just a few people and being financed out of her own pocket. She said funding has allowed her to pursue it full-time for the past year and a half, and she has always dreamt of expanding.

“We’ve gone from probably about 40 or 50 clients to now we’re reaching 700,” she said, adding that each week brings 10 to 15 new clients.

“They can actually look in the mirror and not have that constant reminder of their past.”

Altogether, she said she has removed around 5,000 tattoos thus far due to the program.

“I want this to continue moving forward to the point where I can talk to other provinces and tell them how important this project is for people who are wanting to make a new start, people for safety reasons, getting employment (and) housing,” she said.

Steinke said she is also removing tattoos from inmates three days a week at Headingley Men’s Correctional Institution, Headingley Women’s Correctional Institution, the Manitoba Youth Centre and Milner Ridge Correctional Centre.

She said recent equipment failure has paused the program but added that Wiebe’s office has agreed to purchase new equipment. In a few weeks, she hopes to be hitting the road to expand the program’s reach.

“This is just my dream, to keep this going forward,” she added.