In the Carpinteria, where recent emergencies have closed Highway 101 and limited access to the coastal community, Girls Inc. has become a Community Resilience Hub. In an emergency, the campus can host 500 people and supply three days of solar power.

When Sachi Shiroma, an employee at the Santa Barbara County Education Office, first considered switching to an electric vehicle, her motivation was simple: save money at the pump. But what began as a practical choice quickly became one of the most rewarding and impactful decisions she’s made.

Charlene has always loved biking. But after undergoing hip replacement surgery, she knew a traditional bike wouldn’t be as easy or enjoyable as it once was. That’s when an electric bike started to feel like the perfect way to stay active and support the environment, without the physical strain.