Community Resilience Initiative

Building Strength and Preparedness Across Carpinteria

We believe every family deserves safety, connection, and support during times of crisis.

Our mission is to build and enhance a network of resilient hubs, providing safe refuge and critical services before, during, and after emergencies. We commit to activating sites, ensuring accessibility in crises, and contributing to local resilience through the Central Coast Resilience Hubs Accelerator. Our focus is on creating spaces that promote safety, connectivity, and prosperity for all, with ongoing programming to support the well-being of our individual communities.

A Community Transformed by Disaster

The 2017 Thomas Fire and 2018 debris flow revealed how disasters impact families differently. Many residents lacked access to emergency alerts, safe shelter, and reliable food sources. These events exposed deep inequities in emergency preparedness and recovery.

Girls Inc. responded by launching one of the region’s first Resilience Hubs, in collaboration with the Community Environmental Council and Santa Barbara County.

Our Approach
We offer bilingual emergency planning workshops for families host resource distribution and training events, and provide a solar-powered campus that can serve as a shelter for up to 500 people for up to three days. Alongside these efforts, we provide year-round education focused on climate resilience and emergency readiness so our community feels informed, supported, and prepared.
Food Security
Our 24/7 community pantry is open and accessible to everyone, and it’s stocked twice each week with rescued food from local stores. Families can find fresh produce, nonperishables, frozen meals, and baked goods, and through this ongoing effort we distribute more than 80,000 pounds of food each year.
Social Cohesion
We host family and community events that build trust and strengthen connection, while also offering referrals to immigration, housing, and other social service support. Through these efforts, we’ve deepened partnerships with local nonprofits, city agencies, and regional leaders to better serve our community together.

Our Approach

The Community Resilience Initiative focuses on three interconnected pillars:

1. Environmental Preparedness
  • Bilingual emergency planning workshops for families
  • Resource distribution and training events
  • Solar-powered campus sheltering up to 500 people for up to 3 days
  • Year-round education in climate resilience and emergency readiness
2. Food Security
  • 24/7 community pantry accessible to all
  • Stocked twice weekly with rescued food from local stores
  • Fresh produce, nonperishables, frozen meals, and baked goods
  • Over 80,000 pounds of food distributed each year
3. Social Cohesion
  • Family and community events that foster trust and connection
  • Referrals to immigration, housing, and social service support
  • Deepened partnerships with local nonprofits, city agencies, and regional leaders

The Resilience Hub

Our Girls Inc. campus serves as a fully operational Resilience Hub:

  • Emergency shelter with solar power and basic supplies
  • Education center hosting preparedness trainings
  • Safe, welcoming space for community gatherings and connection

Goals and Impact

  • Equip families with personalized emergency plans and supply kits
  • Maintain 24/7 food access for all community members
  • Strengthen local disaster response and equity-centered recovery efforts
  • Inspire and support other community organizations in building resilience
  • Equip families with personalized emergency plans and supply kits
  • Maintain 24/7 food access for all community members
  • Strengthen local disaster response and equity-centered recovery efforts
  • Inspire and support other community organizations in building resilience

Resources & Related articles

Resource Hub

Get Involved

Support this work by joining us:

Donate to sustain our food pantry, emergency trainings, and outreach
Volunteer your time or skills
Partner with us as a nonprofit, business, or agency

 

Please email information@GirlsInc-Carp.org or (805) 684-6364.

Thank you to our Partners!