The Sierra Roots Weather Shelter provides emergency shelter and warm clothing for adults experiencing chronic homelessness in Nevada City during periods of extreme cold or heat.

The shelter operates on a first-come, first-served basis and can accommodate up to 30 adults. Services are activated only when weather thresholds and volunteer availability are met.

Activation criteria include:

• Three consecutive hours at 32°F or below
• 32°F or below with snow on the ground
• Sustained wet weather with low rebound temperatures
• Availability of sufficient volunteers

Clothing distribution:

Warm clothing and gear are provided during winter events. 

Items may include:

• Coats
• Rain gear
• Sturdy boots

Pets:

Pets are allowed with the following conditions:

• Dogs must be leashed at all times
• Animals must remain under owner control

To check shelter status:

• Call 211 or 833-342-5211
• Or call the Sierra Roots business line: 530-751-3263

Web pages

• Home - https://sierra-roots.org/

The Nevada County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) operates a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site offering free tax preparation assistance and filing of simple returns.

If a person earned less than $69,000 in 2025, they may qualify for assistance.

VITA services, including drop-off and limited in-person appointments, are available through April 13th, 2026.

Services include:

• Free tax preparation assistance
• Filing of simple returns
• Drop-off or limited in-person appointments

Additional notes:

Instructions for accessing VITA services in Nevada County can be found here.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/
• Information and Instructions - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/8541

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…

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 serves as a community hub that connects Nevada County residents with volunteer opportunities in the community.

Services include:

• Access to an online directory of volunteer opportunities
• Listing availability for organizations looking to post their volunteer needs

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.

Services include:

• Help from a volunteer counselor who walks the user through the process
• 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.

Web pages

• Home - https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/

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/
• Volunteer Opportunities - https://www.bylt.org/support/volunteer/