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Leadership

Founder
Dr. Ponda Barnes

Dr. Ponda Barnes was raised in one of Chicago’s most economically depressed communities in a single, matriarch-led household, and these factors profoundly influenced her career path. She is a distinguished public health professional and entrepreneur with over two decades of unwavering dedication to the non-profit sector. With a proven track record in fundraising, development, grant composition, executive management, and program/project leadership, Dr. Barnes brings a wealth of expertise honed through her work with diverse institutions, including academic medical centers, grant-making organizations, and hospitals. 

Her career has been marked by pivotal leadership roles, such as Vice President, interim CEO, Director, and Senior Manager, solidifying her reputation as a visionary leader. Dr. Barnes also serves on the boards of the Blowitz Ridgeway Foundation and the Spirited Pearls Foundation. Her personal experiences with adversity have fueled her lifelong passion for serving marginalized populations and investing in youth. This passion birthed the creation of Transforming Realities, an organization she founded to provide safe housing and trauma-informed wraparound services to children and youth. Dr. Barnes remains a fierce advocate for equitable access to resources, leveraging her personal and professional experience to drive transformative social service interventions aimed at providing children and youth in care with the dignified lived experiences they deserve.

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Board of Trustees

Meet the Team

Dedicated professionals at Transforming Realities Children and Youth Services Corporation are committed to empowering and supporting young individuals in need. With a passion for making a difference, our team works tirelessly to create positive impacts in the community.

Transforming Realities

At Transforming Realities Children and Youth Services, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, trauma-informed care and support to the children and families we serve.

For any inquiries or assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to help every step of the way as we work together to create brighter futures for our youth.

Address: 50 South Main Street, Suite 200

Naperville, IL 60540

Email: transforming.realities1@gmail.com

Phone: (630)-352-2210

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