Dominguez was born in El Salvador and grew up experiencing poverty, abuse, and domestic violence. She finally decided to leave the trials in her home country when her brother was killed by gang members. Dominguez and her son Juan Pablo (JP) arrived in Los Angeles on a bus and immediately asked a local police officer where they could find help. The officer simply replied, “Call 2-1-1.”​

“The (211 LA) care coordinator, Monica Velazquez, she’s my angel,” said Dominguez. “If they would let me, I would hug Monica.