Shine-A-Light

Dominique Ponzio, Shine a light fellow

Born and raised in Norristown, PA, Dominique Ponzio worked as an auditor specializing in the nonprofit industry before returning to school for a Master of Social Work and a Master of Business Administration. She spent a year working as a community organizer with a Latino community in the Boston area before beginning her SAL fellowship.

Throughout 2000, Dominique lived and worked with the Catholic Salesian nuns in San Jose, Costa Rica. She worked in the Centro de Capacitacion Juvenil - Sor Maria Romero as social worker, resident assistant, English teacher, and school administrator. The Center served 80 girls, ages 11 to 18, who were delinquent or unable to continue in the normal school system as a result of various factors (poverty, homelessness, behavioral issues, low reading level, etc). In the mornings, the Center operated as a vocational/technical school, offering classes in painting, sewing, computers, and English, among others. In the afternoons and evenings, the Center offered tutoring and various youth development activities to the 40 resident girls. Ultimately the Center sought to give these young women a structured, safe environment in which they could realize their value and potential. Aside from her direct service work with the girls, Dominique also worked with 2 staff to conduct an evaluation of the Center and make recommendations for improvement.

Since her return to the US, Dominique has worked for a nonprofit agency in North Philadelphia called Congreso de Latinos Unidos. As the Director of the Children & Youth Services Division, Dominique oversees more than 15 preventive programs for North Philly youth.




		Dominique Ponzio, Shine a light fellow Born and raised in Norristown, PA, Dominique Ponzio worked as an auditor specializing in the nonprofit industry before returning to school for a Master of Social Work and a Master of Business Administration. She spent a year working as a community organizer with a Latino community in the Boston area before beginning her SAL fellowship. Throughout 2000, Dominique lived and worked with the Catholic Salesian nuns in San Jose, Costa Rica. She worked in the Centro de Capacitacion Juvenil - Sor Maria Romero as social worker, resident assistant, English teacher, and school administrator. The Center served 80 girls, ages 11 to 18, who were delinquent or unable to continue in the normal school system as a result of various factors (poverty, homelessness, behavioral issues, low reading level, etc). In the mornings, the Center operated as a vocational/technical school, offering classes in painting, sewing, computers, and English, among others. In the afternoons and evenings, the Center offered tutoring and various youth development activities to the 40 resident girls. Ultimately the Center sought to give these young women a structured, safe environment in which they could realize their value and potential. Aside from her direct service work with the girls, Dominique also worked with 2 staff to conduct an evaluation of the Center and make recommendations for improvement. Since her return to the US, Dominique has worked for a nonprofit agency in North Philadelphia called Congreso de Latinos Unidos. As the Director of the Children & Youth Services Division, Dominique oversees more than 15 preventive programs for North Philly youth.