Sara Reyes began her service career at 19 working for the Santa Clara County Office of Education and City of San Jose. She then worked for Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (CCSCC) for over 19 years where she managed a $19M+ department. Ms. Reyes held an Interim Executive Director position at CalSAC. She led the organization during the executive director transition and served on the Board of Directors for 5 years. She attended the National Hispanic University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and San Jose State University where she earned a Master of Public Administration. Ms. Reyes is an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow.

(408) 263-8330

sreyes@shinetogether.org

Deyanira Tellez has devoted her career to helping narrow the opportunity gap through various roles in leadership, breaking down systemic barriers and promoting a strong start for children. As a mother of two young children, Deyanira believes in the importance of early child-parent connections and how these help cultivate and strengthen relationships for generations.

dtellez@shinetogether.org

Maria is a dedicated nonprofit professional with a strong background in public health, community advocacy, and program management. She brings extensive experience in developing and leading initiatives that uplift families, expand access to vital resources, and strengthen community connections Known for her hands-on, compassionate approach, Maria believes deeply in the power of community-led change. She is skilled in program development, fiscal oversight, and cross-sector collaboration, and is passionate about fostering inclusion and empowerment in all aspects of her work.

As Shine Together’s Finance and Operations Manager, Maria is proud to support the organization’s mission and contribute to its lasting impact on young families.

Kathy joined the team in January 2022 as the Bay Area Regional Director. Kathy is a passionate social worker who’s spent her whole career serving transitional age youth in academic, nonprofit, workforce, and social impact capacities. Kathy earned her B.A. in Sociology and Education at UCSC and her MSW at Columbia University, concentrating in Social Enterprise Administration. Kathy is working her way to become an LCSW to dismantle systems of oppression and to close the Opportunity Divide. In her free time, Kathy loves to work out, try new breweries, restaurants and throw pottery.

(408) 892-7203

kwilliams@shinetogether.org

I joined Shine in July 2024, and I’m excited to share my knowledge, guidance, and resources with young mothers and their families. I have over five years of professional experience working with underserved, low-income populations of all ages. My passion for supporting these communities comes from volunteering with nonprofit organizations throughout high school and college.

Originally from Anaheim, CA, I moved to San Jose after high school to attend San Jose State University, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development with an emphasis on Community Focus and a minor in Sociology. I plan to pursue a Master’s in Social Work to further assist my community.

In my free time, you’ll find me at community gatherings, resource fairs, trying out new recipes, or re-watching my favorite shows and movies.

Cecilia Bueno Moreno (she/her). I was born and raised in San Jose, CA. I have a bachelor’s in Sociology from Stanislaus State. I joined Shine in December 2022. I’m happy to be part of the Shine team because I’ve always loved to help the community and empower others. By being an advocate, I can support young mothers to achieve their goals. In addition, I have six years of experience working with youth. You can find me spending time with my family in my free time. Family is important to me. Another hobby is trying new foods and being adventurous.

(408) 593-0294

cecilia@shinetogether.org

My name is Karolina Cabanillas and am a first-time mommy of a baby girl. I am Hispanic and the eldest of 4 children. My family and I are from Sinaloa, Mexico and are very proud of our roots. I am bilingual and love to help my community with any resources I might have.

I have been working with various non-profit organizations for over 8 years now. I have worked with K-12, migrant families and elderly people. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to help my community and our future generations. I am a firm believer that a strong community outweighs everything else. The sky is the limit and I wish to continue spreading that energy to the community.

I am very excited to see what the future holds here at Shine and am very excited to be a part of the journey as an advocate. I am motivated to make a positive impact and am looking forward to serving my community. My door will always be open so please don’t hesitate to reach out for anything.

My name is Denice Sanchez, and I joined the Shine Family in January 2024 as an intern. Shortly thereafter, I became a Child Watch member, and I have truly enjoyed every moment. Building connections with the moms and their young children in this environment brings me immense satisfaction. Each family has a unique background and experience, but I always find a way to relate to them and offer support.

My passion for helping others began in middle school when I started babysitting and volunteering at organizations such as Sacred Heart and Sunday Friends. Currently, I am attending Foothill College, working toward an associate degree as an EMT. Following that, I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, with a minor in business and marketing. I am passionate about meeting new people and embracing new opportunities as they arise.

A quote I live by is “YOLO” – You only live once. You never know what you can experience or achieve unless you take risks. It is a philosophy I encourage others to adopt as well.

Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to accomplish several milestones I am proud of. I have attended 12 different schools, from elementary through high school, and served as my school’s Vice President. I was honored to be crowned Prom Queen and was awarded the most scholarships. One of my most significant achievements, however, was earning the most community service hours, which reflects my commitment to giving back to my community.

Hello! My name is Paola Yajaira Avila, and I joined the Shine team earlier this year as an intern. As of August 2024, I am proud to be part of the Child Watch team. I’m currently studying Public Health at San Jose State University.

Born and raised in San Jose, I am the oldest of three sisters and come from a very close-knit family. Family is incredibly important to me, and I am passionate about working with children, learning from their unique personalities, and enjoying their company.

Outside of work and school, I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy going to the beach, discovering new places, and traveling to new destinations.

I joined Shine in April 2025, driven by a deep passion for helping others. Through Shine, I have the opportunity to support young mothers and their children—a cause that is close to my heart.

For the past seven years, I’ve worked closely with children, gaining valuable experience in child development. Most recently, I worked at a Child Development Center, where I supported children in reaching key developmental milestones, tracked their progress, and connected parents to helpful resources to support their growth.

As the eldest of six, I’ve had the privilege of helping raise my five younger brothers. Supporting my parents and guiding my siblings through their own milestones has been a meaningful part of my life and has fueled my desire to serve the broader community.

I’m currently pursuing a degree in psychology and am excited to apply my learning to uplift families at Shine. I can’t wait to continue advocating for young mothers and helping them thrive!

My name is Sonia Herrera, and I joined the Shine Together family in May 2024. I feel extremely blessed and happy to work with an organization that empowers young mothers to become the best version of themselves alongside their children.

I bring over 15 years of experience helping families in rural communities and six years of experience advocating for and assisting survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Beyond my professional experience, I have also lived the journey of being a young mother.

I am a woman who believes in the power of pursuing dreams and goals. I have two beautiful daughters and an amazing son who inspire me every day to strive for more and continue my college education. Family is very important to me, and I cherish spending quality time with my loved ones and friends.

Three words that define me are kind, respectful, and grateful. I am a passionate individual with deep empathy, especially when it comes to helping others. It is both a privilege and an honor to serve as an advocate at Shine Together.

Hello my name is Vanessa Padilla but you can call me Ness/Nessa for short. I am 26 and was born and raised in Fresno, Ca. I have a Bachelors in Criminology-Corrections from Fresno State University. I myself was a apart of Teen Success back in 2012 when I was once a Teen Mom. I have an 11 year old son that means the entire world to me. My passion in life is just to simply help people in any way possible. Being able to be someone’s advocate and provide resources to those in need really drives me to be more involved and fully dedicated to my community. Having the opportunity to make a full circle in life by now being apart of this organization as an Advocate really means so much to me. Teen Success was a huge part of my life not only in helping me become the best mother I could possibly be but also shaping me into the person I am today. As much as I’m excited to be apart of this team and show what I have to offer I’m most excited to learn from the mothers I get to work with.

3 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME:

• DIE HARD 49ER FAN
• TRAIN IN JIU JITSU & MUAY THAI
• VERY FAMILY ORIENTED

vanessa@shinetogether.org

My name is Dulce Arredondo, and I am 33 years old. Born in Fresno and raised in Madera, I am a proud mother of three—two daughters, ages 18 and 14, and a 10-year-old son. Helping others is a true passion of mine, and I find great joy in being part of someone’s support system.

I began my journey in non-profit work in 2019 as an Advocate Volunteer for CASA. In 2021, CASA offered me the opportunity to become an Advocate Supervisor, which allowed me to further expand my passion and recruit new advocate volunteers. The positive impact we make in people’s lives is incredibly rewarding, and I truly believe that non-profits are built on a loving, supportive team that can change lives.

In 2005, at the age of 14, I became a single teen parent, feeling lost and in denial. I joined Teen Success, Inc. in Madera, where I received the support and guidance I desperately needed. Teen Success helped me recognize the importance of education and goal-setting, which sparked my passion for helping others. After graduating high school, I attended Madera Community College with the goal of obtaining a degree in Human Services.

I hold an Associate’s degree in Psychology from Madera College and an Associate’s in Social Work from Fresno City College. I will be completing my Bachelor’s in Psychology at Fresno State in Fall 2026. I am excited and honored to give back to the young mothers in our community, offering them the same guidance, support, and love I once received from Teen Success. I am truly grateful to be part of Shine Together.