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Building on the success of last year’s collaboration, Unite to Light, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB), and Deckers Brands once again partnered to equip local students with the tools they need to thrive in school. Through the annual Tools for School program, more than 200 junior high and high school students living in Housing Authority communities received solar-powered reading lights and phone chargers to support learning at home and beyond.
The partnership continued to address a challenge many low-income families face: consistent access to reliable lighting and power for studying, completing homework, and staying connected. With support from Deckers Brands, Unite to Light provided 200 Luke Lights and 20 solar power banks to students participating in the Housing Authority’s Tools for School event and Preparación, Bienestar y Cultura (PBC), its college readiness program.
“Every year, we see firsthand how the right resources can help students feel prepared and confident as they begin the school year,” said Leticia Zuniga, Senior Resident Programs Specialist for the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. “We’re grateful to Unite to Light and Deckers Brands for continuing to invest in our youth by providing practical tools that support learning long after the school day ends.”
The Luke Lights provide dependable, solar-powered illumination for students studying in shared or dimly lit living spaces, while the solar power banks help older students keep their phones charged as they prepare for college, work, and greater independence.
“This partnership is a reminder that educational success depends on more than what happens inside the classroom,” said Megan Birney Rudert, President & CEO of Unite to Light. “When students have reliable light to study and power to stay connected, they can focus on reaching their goals instead of overcoming everyday obstacles. We’re proud to continue working alongside the Housing Authority and Deckers Brands to support students throughout our own community.”
Deckers Brands renewed its support of the program as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening local communities and expanding educational opportunities.
“We’re proud to continue this partnership and invest in students as they prepare for a successful school year,” said Michelle Apodaca, Director, Deckers Gives at Deckers Brands. “These may seem like simple tools, but they can have a meaningful impact on a student’s ability to learn, stay connected, and succeed.”
The annual Tools for School event provided hundreds of local K–12 students with backpacks, school supplies, and connections to community organizations that support youth and families. By adding solar lighting and charging solutions to those resources, the partnership helped ensure students returned home with practical tools to support their education throughout the year.
Together, Unite to Light, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, and Deckers Brands continued their shared commitment to expanding educational opportunity and helping bridge the digital divide for local students—one light, one charger, and one brighter future at a time.
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