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/

FieldHaven Feline Center’s FieldHaven Animal Support Team (FHAST) responds to disaster incidents by providing emergency shelter and care for cats and other small animals displaced by wildfires, evacuations, or other crises.

FHAST deploys trained volunteers and veterinary staff to offer on-site animal care, transport support, and compassionate assistance to pet owners.

The program prioritizes pet safety and trauma-informed sheltering in collaboration with local emergency response systems.

Services include:

• Emergency animal sheltering for cats and pocket pets during disasters
• On-site and off-site veterinary care for animals requiring medical support
• Transportation assistance for evacuated or rescued animals
• Volunteer response teams trained in FEMA protocols and animal disaster care
• Preparedness education, evacuation guides, and community outreach

Web pages

• Home - https://fieldhaven.com/
• FHAST - https://fieldhaven.com/programs/fhast/
• FHAST Volunteering - https://fieldhaven.com/wp-content/uploads/…

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Auburn Fire Department provides development and safety of the community through prevention, public education, and emergency response.

The Auburn City Fire Department operates from 3 fire stations with 24/7 coverage.

• Station No. 1 - Martin Park Fire Station (Volunteer), 485 High Street, Auburn, CA 95603
• Station No. 2 - Gietzen Station (Staffed), 226 Sacramento Street, Auburn, CA 95603
• Station No. 3 - Maidu Station (Staffed), 901 Auburn Folsom Road, Auburn, CA 95603

Web pages

• Home - https://www.auburn.ca.gov/159/Fire

Call 9-1-1 in case of emergency

The City of Colfax has one staffed and two unstaffed/volunteer fire stations.

Station 30 is staffed and serves the communities of Colfax and Gold Run. The station targets hazards include the Interstate 80 Corridor, UP Railway, Kinder Morgan Pipeline, and the City of Colfax. Station 30 is the upcountry home to the Placer County Technical Rescue Team and serves the rugged canyons and recreation areas of the North Fork of the American River. Station 30 is located at 24020 Fowler Road, Colfax, CA 95713.

Station 36 is an unstaffed/reserve volunteer station and serves the downtown area of the City of Colfax. Station 36 is located at 33 Church street, Colfax CA, 95713.

Station 37 is an unstaffed reserve/volunteer station on the north end of Colfax. It serves the City of Colfax and the area around Rollins Reservoir. Station 37 is located at 139 Oak Street, Colfax, CA 95713.

Web pages

• Station 30 - https://www.placer.ca.gov/7859/Colfax-Station-30​
• Station 36 - h…

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Placer County Fire Department (PCFD) provides all fire and emergency medical services. Through a Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) which was initiated in 1974, PCFD integrates state and local firefighting resources, career and volunteer, into an effective combination fire department.

Web pages

• Placer County Fire Dept. - https://www.placer.ca.gov/7625/Fire-Department
• Fire Stations - https://www.placer.ca.gov/7646/Fire-Stations

Placer County Fire Department has 16 fire stations.

• Bowman Station 10 - Cal Fire/PCFD Headquarters
  • ​13760 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA  95603, 530-823-4270
• Foresthill Station 11
  • 25150 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA 95631, 530-367-3111
• Colfax Station 30 - serves Colfax and Gold Run
  • 24020 Fowler Road, Colfax, CA 95713, 530-346-6776
• Dutch Flat Station 32 - an unstaffed reserve/volunteer station
  • 980 Sacramento Street, Dutch-Flat, CA 95714, 530-889-0111
• Alta Station 33 - serves the Interstate 80 corridor from Alta to the top of Donner Summit
  • 33333 Alta Forestry Road, Alta, CA 95701, 530-389-2234
• City of Colfax Station 36 - an unstaffed/reserve volunteer station that serves the downtown area of the City of Colfax
  • 33 Church Street, Colfax, CA 95713, 530-889-0111
• City of Colfax Station 37 - an unstaffed reserve/volunteer station on the north end of Colfax.  It serves the City of Colfax and the area around Rollins Reservoir.…

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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

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy (HICAP) offers free local, individualized information and advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries and individuals becoming eligible within the next six months. Provides assistance to seniors or disabled persons with Medicare issues, including denials and appeals, supplemental insurance, and long term care insurance.

Volunteer HICAP Medicare counselors provide free, unbiased, and individualized counseling by appointment only.

• Nevada County appointment line: 530-258-6827
• Placer County appointment line (through Seniors First): 530-889-9500

HICAP aims to return phone messages within 2 business days, but it may be longer.

The Humane Society of the Sierra Foothills serves the public and helps enforce California‘s anti-cruelty laws that protect animals from abuse and neglect. It also offers adoption services and volunteer opportunities.

Web pages

• Home - https://animalplace.com/

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