The Defensible Space Advisory Visit program provides a one-on-one consultation and advice at your home for comprehensive education on compliance with Public Resource Code 4291 – the law that requires defensible space around structures. PRC 4291 was expanded in 2005 from 30 feet to 100 feet of clearance.

With increased promotion of defensible space, many people were confused and had difficulty understanding what needed to be accomplished. The council implemented a volunteer advisory program with formal training by CAL FIRE and local resources to provide an advisory visit that mirrored a compliance inspection without the threat of enforcement.

The County of Nevada Office of Emergency Services offers a Defensible Space Inspection that is more formal than the Fire Safe Council's Defensible Space Advisory Visit. The County program attends more to compliance and complaint issues.

Fire Safe Council asks that people please consider making the suggested tax-deductible donation of $25 (to cover co…

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Anew Day offers free lay counseling and low-cost professional therapy to individuals, couples, and families. Services address emotional, relational, and mental health needs for all ages.

Services include:

• Lay counseling and peer support for adults, teens, and children
• Professional therapy sessions at reduced rates
• Support for depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, and social or relationship challenges
• Therapeutic art classes and group sessions for emotional expression and healing
• Communication skills training, boundary setting, and healthy coping strategies
• Volunteer training for lay counseling

Web pages

• Home - https://www.anew-day.com/
• Counseling - https://www.anew-day.com/counseling-services

The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program coordinates volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who are dependents of the Nevada County Juvenile Dependency Court, helping ensure they have a chance to live in a safe and permanent home.

Services include:

• Recruitment, training, and coordination of volunteer advocates
• One-on-one advocacy for children in the juvenile dependency system
• Assistance in ensuring children live in safe, permanent homes
• Support with navigating the court system

Volunteer requirements:

• Completion of an application packet, including a personal interview and background check
• Driver’s license and current insurance
• Training sessions held in the spring and fall, with applications accepted year-round

Web pages

• Home (Application Found Here) - https://caofnc.org/casa/
• FAQs - https://caofnc.org/casa-faq/

Sierra Harvest's Gold Country Gleaning Program organizes volunteers to harvest fresh, seasonal produce that would otherwise go to waste and donates it to local food banks. Volunteers are encouraged to take gleaned goodies home too.

Web pages

• Home - https://sierraharvest.org/
• Gold Country Gleaning Program - https://sierraharvest.org/gleaning/
• Request Gleaning - https://sierraharvest.org/gleaning/site_registration.php
• Volunteer to Glean - https://sierraharvest.org/gleaning/volregistration.php

Partners in English Language Learning (PiELL) offers free, individualized tutoring for adult English language learners in Western Nevada County.

Volunteer tutors meet with students one-on-one in locations and at times that work for both.

Services include

• One-on-one English language tutoring for adult learners
• English language assessment and tutor matching
• Preparation support for citizenship and driver’s license tests
• Volunteer tutor training twice per year (March and September)
• Ongoing mentorship for volunteer tutors

Additional notes

All tutors are fluent English-speaking volunteers trained by PiELL. Most students begin at a basic or low-intermediate level. 

Learners and tutors commit to meet 1–2 times per week for at least one year. Students come from a wide range of countries and backgrounds.

Web pages

• Home - https://piell.org/

The Connecting Point Volunteer Hub is an online database for connecting Nevada County residents to volunteer opportunities in local nonprofits and public agencies.


Web pages

• Home - https://volunteerhub.connectingpoint.org/

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Online Tax Assistance allows taxpayers to e-file their return themselves free of charge or with the remote assistance of an AARP tax counselor. To prepare your own taxes online, you can request help from a volunteer counselor to coach you through the process using your own computer while screen-sharing.

Tax-Aide also provides taxpayers with access to free software to prepare taxes totally on their own (OnLine Taxes).

Access to free software is limited to taxpayers with an AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) of $73,000 or less. You can estimate your AGI by checking the amount on line 11 of your 2020 tax return (form 1040 or 1040-SR.)


Web pages

• Home - https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/
• If your income falls within the guidelines above for free software, click Request Help on this page: https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/online-self-and-assisted-prep
  

Bear Yuba Land Trust protects land, builds trails, and offers environmental education programs in Nevada and Yuba counties.

Services include:

• Maintaining public preserves and open space
• Managing conservation easements to protect natural lands
• Building and maintaining trails for public recreation
• Offering youth education programs focused on nature and stewardship
• Providing volunteer opportunities for trail work, events, and habitat restoration

Web pages

• Home - https://www.bylt.org/
• Conservation Easements - https://www.bylt.org/
• Trails - https://www.bylt.org/build-trails/
• Youth Programs - https://www.bylt.org/youth-programs/
• Volunteer Opportunities - https://www.bylt.org/support/volunteer/

The Rough and Ready Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection, emergency rescue services and sandbags in times of floods.


Web pages

• Home - http://www.rrvfd.com/

North San Juan Community Center is located just outside historic downtown, North San Juan. Serving the San Juan Ridge Community area for many years. Hosting the Annual Cheery Festival. Helping the community through shelters, affordable weekly meals, local farmers market, classes, meetings and many other services. Volunteer run and operated.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nsjcommunitycenter.org/