Welcome to Shine Fresno
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News
Making Great Strides in Fresno
In April 2024, Shine Together was recognized alongside 59 outstanding organizations making an impact in Fresno at the Nene Casares Celebration of Service Grant Reception. This event celebrated the achievements of community service organizations, and we were thrilled to be included!
We also recently made significant progress in expanding our evidence-based curriculum. Our team is now preparing to participate in the Girasol training with the National Compadres Network. This training focuses on transformational health and healing, equipping our staff with innovative tools and techniques to better support our community.
May gave us an opportunity to celebrate our members’ accomplishments and honor Mother’s Day. We spent a joyous occasion recognizing their hard work and achievements and celebrating one of our recent graduates, the remarkable Sky Lopez. Sky’s journey from foster care to teen motherhood and her recent high school graduation is truly inspirational. She is now pursuing her dream of helping others and furthering her education. Her biggest motivator? Her son, Shadrach. Sky shares, “His presence in my life is a constant reminder of why I work so hard and why I am determined to succeed.”
We are so proud of all our members and their incredible achievements!
Events
- Valentine’s Day
- Dr Seuss Early Literacy Reading Day
- Mother’s Day
- Spring Event
- Paint and Plant
- Back to School School supplies Backpack giveaway
- Spooky Oogie Bash
- End of Year celebration
- Graduation Dinner
- Winter Wonderland/ Toys for Tots
- California Young Parents Day
- Very Hungry Caterpillar Reading Fun Day
- Summer Fun Days
- Zoo Days
Special Programs
- Events and support for Alumni moms
- Food Distribution
Our Team
Meet the Fresno Shine Team
Each and every member of the Shine team is dedicated to empowering young mothers and impacting multiple generations. Together, we bring decades of experience in youth and community services, social justice, and research and evaluation.
Sarah Villa
Central Valley Regional Director
Sarah is a Disney fanatic and a SF Giants/49er fan.
Sarah Villa joined the Teen Success, Inc team in June of 2016 as the Program and Partnership Manager serving the Central Valley and Monterey County. Today, she is the Central Valley Regional Director. She is responsible for growing and supporting Shine Together in Fresno. Sarah was born and raised in Salinas, CA and moved to the Central Valley in 2004.
Sarah’s passion to serve young parents came from first-hand experience. She raised two children as a young mother and knows the importance of support, mentoring and education. Her experience allows her to tell a personal story of the journey of raising children and being a positive role model to her family.
Sarah has more than 25 years of direct, hands-on experience in providing education,support, and mentoring to young parents regarding family health, parenting, reproductive health, and the importance of continuing education.
Prior to coming to Shine Together, Sarah worked with Fresno Barrios Unidos for 11 years working directly with young parents, creating healing spaces for women and girls and leadership development.
Sarah also worked for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte as a Health Educator, implementing medically accurate comprehensive sex education in schools and teaching parents how to talk to their children about puberty and tough subjects.
(559) 410-7022
svilla@shinetogether.org
Vanessa Padilla
Advocate, Fresno
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
Sonia Herrera
Advocate, Fresno County
Rosita Figueroa
Advocate, Fresno County
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
Our Partners
- Fresno County Department of Social Services (Babies First, Nurse Family Partnership, CaLearn)
- The Children’s Movement
- Fresno Unified School District
- Planned Parenthood (sponsorship, condoms and educational information)
- Reading and Beyond (support for young fathers, Joven Noble and post-secondary support for moms)
Our Sponsors
- First 5 Fresno
- Planting Prosperity
- Westley Foundation
- Central California Food Bank (meal boxes and diapers)
- Baby 2 Baby (essential supplies, car seats, strollers, bassinets, playpens, clothes, etc)
- Project Glimmer (make up, lotions, self-care items)
- Cakes for Kids
- Council Member Miguel Arias (zoo tickets, $250 holiday wish list, certificates for graduates and $300 backpacks)
- Councilmember Nelson Esparza (feminine hygiene products)
- Senator Laphonza Butler (certificates for graduates)
- Embarc ($10,000 towards our office wishlist, sofas, fridge, blinds, rugs, etc)
Our Donors
- Costco
- Dutch Bros
- Olive Garden
- Whole Foods
- Trader Joe’s
- Crumble Cookies
Regional Boundaries
How to find us
Donate Now
Help A Young Mom Shine Bright
We need your help to empower young moms and their children. Together, we can create economic advancement for families and communities, two generations at a time.