Girls Inc. of Carpinteria has announced its readiness to activate as a Resilience Hub and emergency shelter in Carpinteria, anticipating potential unpredictable and dangerous weather associated with El Niño. The organization, located at 5315 Foothill Road, is prepared to offer food, shelter, and other essential resources to the community if an emergency arises.
The Girls Inc. of Carpinteria (GIC) campus is equipped with large indoor and outdoor spaces, an industrial-sized kitchen stocked with necessities, and basic supplies. These facilities normally support more than 700 girls and young women who participate in GIC's programs annually. In an emergency, these resources enable the organization to house up to 500 individuals, coordinating with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, the City of Carpinteria, and the Red Cross.
Executive Director Jamie Collins stated that while GIC's primary mission is to empower girls, its commitment extends to the resilience of their families and the wider community. Collins emphasized the importance of ensuring Carpinteria has the necessary resources to remain strong through emergencies.
This preparedness stems from lessons learned during past local disasters. The 2017 Thomas Fire and the 2018 debris flow highlighted significant inequities in emergency preparedness and recovery for many residents, including a lack of access to emergency alerts, safe shelter, and reliable food. These events also underscored that areas like Carpinteria can become isolated during freeway closures, making centrally located resources crucial.
Following these tragedies, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria began developing strategies to enhance family resilience and strengthen the community's capacity to withstand and recover from crises. The organization partnered with the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and the County of Santa Barbara to help establish one of the region’s first Resilience Hubs. This initiative was part of the Santa Barbara County Regional Climate Collaborative’s 2023 Resilience Hub pilot program. Edison International continues to provide annual funding for this program.
Since its participation in the pilot program, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria has engaged in yearly staff and community training on emergency management protocols. It has also secured additional resources specifically for emergency preparedness, thereby strengthening its overall capacity to respond to community needs. Beyond its role as a potential emergency shelter, GIC offers training to families for developing their own emergency preparedness plans and serves as a year-round resource for local girls and families.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is an affiliate of Girls Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring girls to be "strong, smart, and bold." Its programming focuses on the holistic development of girls and young women, delivering programs and experiences designed to help them overcome barriers and grow into healthy, educated, and independent individuals. Through lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and research-based programming, GIC aims to prepare girls to lead fulfilling lives and become role models. Girls Inc. of Carpinteria serves girls and young women aged 4-24 across Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
