Solar-Powered lights given to people living out of their cars in Santa Barbara

Hundreds of people are living in their vehicles in Santa Barbara. Many of those people are children.

To make their situation a little brighter, New Beginnings Safe Parking Programs is giving out 20 solar-powered lights thanks to Unite The Light which is a Santa Barbara nonprofit organization.

The intention is to create a library where the lights will be checked out to families while staying in the Safe Parking Program.

The lights also have a USB socket which can charge a cell phone or other small electronic device without needing an oulet.

“These lights are actually very beneficial for our clients because once it becomes dark the only light that they have is if they are lucky enough to have a street light or the inner light from their vehicle,” said Cassie Roach, program director at New Beginnings. “One client even said she feels more like a person again because she has that light and is able to read and enjoy her time.”

The lights are being donated by Mike Tognotti of Raindance partners.