FREED Center for Independent Living

07/25/2025

For 40 years, FREED has helped thousands live independently, access resources, and fight for their rights.
But we can’t do it without you—especially now.
State & federal funding are in flux.
Your donation keeps services going strong.
Give today:

Thank you for supporting FREED! Your donation will help FREED carry out our mission to eliminate barriers to full equality for people with disabilities through programs which promote independent living and effect systems change, while honoring dignity and self determination. You can use the form bel...

07/23/2025

Come see us at the Veterans Services Health and Wellness Fair today until 4pm!

🎖️ Save the Date! 🎖️

The 2nd Annual Veteran’s Health & Wellness Fair is coming to Grass Valley on Wednesday, July 23 from 10 AM to 4 PM!

Veterans, families & survivors — enjoy a day of free resources, wellness services, benefits info, job fair, food, music & more!

📍 Veterans Memorial Hall, Grass Valley
📢 We’re looking for volunteers and vendors!
Want to get involved?
📧 ncvso@nevadacountyca.gov
📞 (530) 273-3396
Sign up to Volunteer at www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA5AD28A0F9C16-57338375-veterans #/

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07/22/2025

FREED is turning 40! But behind the celebration is a serious challenge: state and federal funding delays are putting vital disability and aging services at risk.
Help us keep fighting for justice and independence. Donate today:
https://freed.org/donate/

Thumbnail image description: Orange background with silhouette of a bird in flight in light gray (FREED's logo bird).

Thank you for supporting FREED! Your donation will help FREED carry out our mission to eliminate barriers to full equality for people with disabilities through programs which promote independent living and effect systems change, while honoring dignity and self determination. You can use the form bel...

07/15/2025

DOR is partnering with California Natural Resources Agency for events highlighting Disability Pride Month. On July 17 from 10 to 11 a.m., DOR Deputy Director Candis Welch will moderate a virtual panel discussion ‘Belonging at Work: State Employees Driving Disability Inclusion’, featuring state workers with disabilities who are championing inclusion and equity and are helping to make their departments more welcoming and inclusive. ASL interpreters and live captioning will be provided. Click the link below to register.
https://bit.ly/3Gn5Cmk

07/10/2025

Last night on we heard highlights from an interview back in 2020 featuring a roundtable of guests discussing the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. FREED founding member Geeta Dardick, board chair Mark Fenicle, along with Eddie Ytuarte and Ami Hyten all reflected on this landmark legislation, how things have gotten better, and where we go from here. Check out the reply (or hear the full episode from 2020), get transcripts and subscribe to our podcast at disabilityrap.org

07/09/2025

Tonight on , a roundtable of guests from across town and across the country reflect on life before and after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities act 35 years ago this month. Recorded live in studio back in 2020, this shorter version of that show highlights where we’ve been, and where we still have work to do. Tune in tonight at 6:30pm on KVMR 89.5FM & 105.1FM

07/08/2025

On the next episode of we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with highlights from a roundtable of guests who joined us back in 2020 to share their personal experiences of the fight for disability rights and what the ADA means to them. Join us on Wednesday at 6:30pm on KVMR 89.5FM & 105.1FM

07/07/2025

Happy Disability Pride Month!

07/03/2025

Our offices are closed on Friday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

Stay safe out there and remember:

Stay hydrated
Wear sunscreen/hats/cool clothing
Observe burn bans
Fireworks are not allowed in Nevada County
BBQ safely - never leave a hot grill unattended

See you Monday!

ID: White text on a dark gray background reads: We will be closed 4th of July. Red white and blue paper flowers decorate the edges of the photo.

07/02/2025

The budget reconciliation bill (“One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) is back in the House of Representatives.

It is critical that we all contact our Representative today and tell them: NO CUTS TO MEDICAID.

This is especially important if your Representative is one of the following:

CA: Valadao, Kim
AZ: Ciscomani
PA: Bresnahan, Fitzpatrick, Joyce, Thompson
NC: Edwards, Murphy
NY: Garbarino, Lawler, Malliotakis
VA: Kiggans, Wittman, Griffith
NJ: Van Drew
NE: Bacon
WA: Newhouse
IA: Nunn, Miller-Meeks
CO: Hurd, Evans
OH: Balderson
KY: Guthrie
NV: Amodei
TX: De La Cruz, Gonzales
AK: Begich

Option 1: Use the House contact information for phone numbers and contact forms: https://bit.ly/4eFiQYk

Option 2: Use NCIL’s Advocacy and Action Center to contact your Representative and both Senators: https://bit.ly/4ltBJiW

Image: MOBILIZE FOR MEDICAID. White text on olive green background.

07/02/2025

Making plans for the holiday weekend? Here are some tips to keep yourself and our community safe: https://yubanet.com/regional/celebrate-responsibly-fireworks-can-spark-wildfires/

Thumbnail ID: A CAL FIRE engine participates in the July 4th parade in Nevada City, it is passing in front of buildings on Broad St. as people wave flags from the sidewalk.

Nevada County – The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) reminds the community that fireworks can spark wildfires. All fireworks are illegal in Nevada County. Possessing, transporting, or using fireworks is against the law. Protect our community and have a responsible and fire-safe cel...

06/21/2025

We hope you can join us tomorrow, Sunday, June 22nd at 1:00pm at The Onyx Theatre, Nevada City for a showing of Rising Phoenix: A New Revolution followed by a community discussion with FREED staff and guests. The Onyx is a 21+ venue with great accessibility, and this film is created by a disabled filmmaker, featuring Paralympians and disabled cultural influencers. How do you want to see disability portrayed in society? Join the conversation on Sunday! Need a little convincing? Check out the trailer (with captions and audio description): https://youtu.be/CyjOEFEO3I8?si=OLtnjkYG2e5A-gnT

Thumbnail image description: Photo of a black man midway through a long jump, seen from below. The sky is blue above him, his arms are raised, he has one running blade and one leg. Text on the left side reads: Netflix Official Trailer.

Rising Phoenix tells the extraordinary story of the Paralympic Games. From the rubble of World War II to the third biggest sporting event on the planet, the ...