The Liberty Program is managed through Cottage Health System and sponsored by the St. Francis Foundation. This service, provided by local physicians and nurses, is free for those who qualify. The program is available to anyone living in the Santa Barbara County area.

The Liberty Program staff takes special interest in assisting our clients in the restoration process through health in body, mind and spirit by providing:

• A service to our community
• Certified clinical staff for laser tattoo removal within
  a hospital environment
• Building individual's self-esteem
• Taking a special interest through community referrals in the areas of job training towards employment, mentoring, etc.

The Liberty Program offers qualified individuals free laser treatments to remove their visible tattoos over a number of sessions.  In exchange, each participant must complete ten hours of community service work in a non-profit agency for each treatment.  If you qualify for our program we will assist you with an on going list of community based organizational referrals.

People with anti-social, gang or prison tattoos often encounter negative attitudes, stereotyping, prejudices and discrimination.  There is an identified need in our community for a mechanism by which people who are trying to become productive can remove these marks of distinction and the psychological and physical barriers that they carry.  In doing so, this will provide them better educational and employment opportunities.

The benefits to the community will be to have more participants in community service activities, along with providing support to those who are actively trying to make positive changes in their lives.