Carol was born and raised in Salinas, CA, known as the “Salad Bowl of the World.” Her family immigrated from Mexico through the Bracero Program in the 1950s, making Salinas their new home. Her grandfather was a bracero, and her parents were farmworkers who actively participated in the United Farm Workers Union in the 1960s.

Carol has 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including five years working in local government with the City of Salinas’ Community and Safety Division. She began her career in human services at the age of 18, working with The Salvation Army of Salinas’ Kid’s Café program while incarcerated as a youth at the Monterey County Youth Center under the Probation Department. Through a youth employment pilot program for incarcerated youth, Carol seized every opportunity available to her.
Carol was involved in the juvenile justice system from ages 13 to 18 and became a teen mom at 15. In 2002, while incarcerated, she participated in Teen Success, Inc. She has since built a career shaped by her life experiences, turning her trials into a testimony. Over the years, she has helped hundreds of youth and their families and is now focused on supporting young parents.

In 2021, Carol relocated to Fresno, where she is an active member of the League of Mexican American Women of Fresno. She also serves on the advisory committee for Wonder Wood Ranch in Monterey County, having previously been a board member. She is a devoted mother to five children, ranging in age from 24 years to 2 years old.

Carol is passionate about Shine Together’s mission and looks forward to serving young parents in the Fresno community. She is also a proud Kansas City Chiefs fan—Go Chiefs!

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 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.

Rosita was born and raised in Fresno California. She earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno in 2017. Rosita has over 6 years working with youth. She is passionate about creating change because of the lived experiences she has faced.

During her free time, you can find Rosita having fun with her niece and listening to true crime podcast.

(408) 685-7581

rosita@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.