DIRECTOR & ARCHIVAL SECRETARY

Frank's family immigrated from the Dominican Republic in September of 2005. Though he had been born in Harlem, New York, his parents and brother faced immigration issues. At different times through the years, they found themselves undocumented and struggling to make a living. It is this collection of experiences that sparked a passion for activism in immigrant communities for Frank. Upon graduating from The City College of New York in 2014, Frank Ponciano began his professional career working for advertising and media agencies in New York and San Francisco. After moving to San Jose from the east coast in 2015, Frank transitioned to organizing undocumented families facing deportation and homelessness. From 2017 through early 2019, Frank worked for Councilmembers Don Rocha and Sergio Jimenez as a Policy Aide working on housing/homelessness, public safety, and environmental policy. Frank served as Don Rocha's campaign treasurer through his run for Santa Clara County Supervisor in 2018. As an Advocacy Coordinator working for Abode Services in Santa Clara County, Frank organized and trained formerly and currently homeless residents. Frank also started and coordinated San Jose Spotlight's 'In Your Backyard' monthly column written by currently and formerly homeless residents.

Today, Frank advises nonprofit Downtown Streets Team in San Francisco to improve the organization's community engagement process and is a full-time employee of the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley where he works as a Community Housing Advocate on the organization's housing team. Frank serves on the Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC) Board of Directors, is a voting member of the Santa Clara County Democratic Party Central Committee, and is the Vice President of the Silicon Valley Democratic Club Board of Directors.