A Touch of Understanding’s mission is to encourage acceptance and respect for all individuals. ATOU's educational programs are designed to increase understanding of differences, thereby minimizing discrimination, bullying, and social isolation suffered by children and adults who are perceived as different for any reason, but especially those with disabilities.

ATOU's in-school workshop provides a potent, life-changing opportunity for students to meet people with disabilities and to experience for themselves what it may be like to have a disability. The workshop is broken up into two parts.

• Part 1: Speakers with disabilities talk about their life, their challenges, and how they achieve their goals. During the hour and a half session, students are encouraged to interact with these volunteers and ask questions.
• Part 2: Students visit activity stations where they: use a wheelchair and white cane, learn to write their names in Braille, perform a task using a mirror to simulate a learnin…

Placer County Animal Services provides animal care, sheltering, and field services for much of Placer County.

Shelter services include:

• Lost pet reunification
• Pet adoption
• Pet licensing (including new senior discount for qualifying residents)
• Vaccine clinics
• Resources for pet owners
• Connections to local rescue groups and nonprofits
• Shelter tours and community education
• Volunteer and animal foster programs

Field services include:

• Stray animal pickup
• Aggressive animal response
• Animal cruelty and neglect investigations
• Barking complaints
• Public education and disaster response
• Pickup of injured domestic animals and wildlife

Additional notes:

As of May 2025, Placer County residents aged 62 and older may receive 50% off licensing fees for up to two spayed or neutered dogs. Available online or in person. Not valid in Auburn, Roseville, or Rocklin, which manage their own programs.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.placer.ca.gov/1909/Animal-Services
• Health & Human Services - https://www.pla…

Be My Eyes provides free video support at a moment’s notice. Every day, sighted volunteers and professionals lend their eyes to solve tasks big and small to assist blind and low-vision people through a live video call.

How It Works

• Anyone 17 or older may sign up as a visually impaired user or volunteer.
• Calls are connected based on daytime timezone and language. The average wait time is about 15 seconds.
• When a call is answered, a live one-way video (two-way audio) is initiated, allowing volunteers or company representatives to see what’s in front of the user’s camera and provide verbal support. Note: Specialized Help availability varies by region and company opening hours.
  
  

Web pages

• Home - https://www.bemyeyes.com/

The KidZone Museum operates a children’s museum focused on early childhood development through creative play and exploration. 

Designed primarily for children under age 7, exhibits and programs support cognitive, physical, social, and creative skill-building. Camps and school partnerships extend learning opportunities for elementary-aged children. 

Teenagers may participate through volunteer roles.

The museum includes:

• Indoor play structure and exploration exhibits
• Infant play area
• Art studio for creative expression
• Nature play space
• Science and discovery lab
• Seasonal camps and school-based programs
• Teen volunteer opportunities

Web pages

• Home - https://kidzonemuseum.org/

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/

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/

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 mental health support and crisis intervention through text messaging. 

Services are available in English and Spanish and are delivered by trained volunteer crisis counselors.

Services include:

• Offering immediate emotional support through text-based conversations
• Assisting with mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts
• Connecting people to local resources, when needed

Access methods:

• ENGLISH: Text HELLO to 741741 or message 443-SUPPORT on WhatsApp
• ESPAÑOL: Text HOLA to 741741 or message 442-AYUDAME on WhatsApp

Web pages

• Home - http://www.crisistextline.org/

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…

The American Bar Association provides legal assistance and resources for individuals and families affected by California wildfires.

Resources include:

• Disaster Legal Hotline: Free legal assistance for wildfire survivors.
  • Hotline Number: 415-575-3120
• Legal Aid Resources: Links to national and regional disaster legal aid organizations.
• FEMA Assistance Information: Guidance on applying for FEMA aid and locating Disaster Recovery Centers.
• Pro Bono Legal Support: Connection to volunteer attorneys through the ABA/Paladin National Disaster Pro Bono Portal.

Additional Information:

The hotline provides legal guidance on issues related to insurance claims, housing, employment, FEMA benefits, and more. 

Free legal help is available to people affected by declared disasters, regardless of income.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.americanbar.org/ 
• FEMA California Wildfires - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4610
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers - https://egatew…