"Three-quarters of a million teens between 15 and 19 become pregnant each year."

"Reducing teen pregnancy and birth is one of the most effective ways of reducing child poverty in the country."

"Teen pregnancy can ruin your life"

"Nationally reported AIDS cases in adolescents 13 to 19 years of age, 50 percent occur in African Americans, 28 percent in Caucasians and 20 percent in Hispanics."

"Nationally, adolescents 15 to 19 years old have some of the highest reported rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia among sexually active people."

"Teen pregnancy costs the United States at least $7 billion annually."

"Every year around 750,000 teenagers will get pregnant."

"Depending on the state, teenage birth rates are incredibly different. Nevada has the highest rate: 113 per 1000 and North Dakota the lowest 42 per 1000."

"The fact that just under 1/3 of all girls in the United States will get pregnant in their teenage years."

"Pregnant teens are among the most likely mothers-to-be to have inadequate prenatal care."

"According to the Single Parents Network, 28% of pregnant teens live in families with income below the federal poverty line, and 30% of pregnant teens are living in single parent homes."

"In the United States the rates among teens 15-19 is 83.6 pregnancies per 1,000 girls, and 42.1 births. However, Texas is third on the list of states with high teen birth rates with 63.1 births per 1,000 girls."

"Every 10 minutes a teen in Texas gets pregnant."

"Unmarried teenagers having children account for 24 percent of all unmarried expectant mothers."

"More than 2/3 of all teenagers who have a baby will not graduate from high school."

"Thirty-four percent of young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 -- about 820,000 a year."

"Close to four in ten girls who had first intercourse at 13 or 14 report it was either non-voluntary or unwanted."

"Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school (only one-third receive a high school diploma) and only 1.5% have a college degree by age 30."

"More than 2/3 of all teenagers who have a baby will not graduate from high school."

"Close to 2800 teens get pregnant each day."

Become a Mentor

Who is an ideal Shine On Mentor?
A S.H.I.N.E. ON Mentor is a professional woman who will volunteer and participate in a 1-1 mentoring relationship with a teenage girl to provide guidance and support to her mentee during the transition to young adulthood. Volunteers must be a minimum age of 21 in order to apply. Volunteers are carefully screened and then matched with compatible girls. Applicants are required to successfully complete four steps of the application process prior to being accepted as a S.H.I.N.E ON Mentor. Below is an overview of the application process for all potential volunteer mentors:

Submit your mentor application with an updated resume via fax or postal mail only.
Receive an invitation to participate in an interview with a staff member from the Mentor Program.
Receive an invitation to attend half-day training where we will share imperative information preparing you for the potential role and responsibility of a mentor.
Complete mandated background screenings.

Time Commitment Requirement
Our mentor program requires a year-long commitment between the mentor and mentee. Twice a month, mentors and mentees spend a total of six to eight hours together, participating in fun and enriching activities throughout DFW metro area. The program is flexible in the sense that you and your mentee/parent select the days you will have the outings. We do note that majority of our matches tend to get together on the weekends but not limited to weeknights as well.

What Activities Can I Participate In?
Our program is flexible in that the activities planned with your mentee are geared towards the goals that both of you establish. Goals can vary from cultural exposure to building your friendship. Match outings should be positive and it should promote you and your mentee to develop a healthy and trusting relationship. Please remember that supervision and assistance is provided for all of our matches throughout your match period.

What kind of support can I expect once I'm matched?
All mentors will be assigned a Match Supervisor at the beginning of your match relationship. You will be required to follow up with your Match Supervisor twice a month after each outing for the first three months and monthly contact thereafter.

In addition, Mentor Network meetings are offered for the mentors throughout the year, where you have an opportunity to meet and gain support from fellow mentors in the program.