FREED Center for Independent Living

10/15/2026

Our monthly emergency preparedness training is happening tomorrow, Friday, October 16th at 11:00am on Zoom. Want to join us? Email Brian to register: brian @ FREED .org

10/15/2026

Today's the Day! Come on down to our Grass Valley office for support with your voter registration. Our Disability Community Advocate, Abby will be available 10am-12pm, no pre-registration needed, just come on in.

ID: Informational flyer on a white background with teal and yellow borders, with the FREED advocacy logo at the top reads:
Get Ready to VOTE!
Get Registered & Learn About Voting Accessibility & More!
Date & Time: Thursday, October 15th, 10am-12pm
Location: FREED, 435 Sutton Way, Grass Valley
Session Topics
1:1 assistance with voter registration
How to vote without a fixed address
Learn about accommodations for voting
Got Questions?
Email abby @ FREED .org
530-477-3333

10/14/2026

With winter storm season nearly upon us, it's a great time to make a plan in case of weather related emergency. Join us on Friday, October 16th at 11:00am on Zoom for an Emergency Preparedness Training. To register, email brian @ FREED . org

ID: informational flyer on a white background with teal and yellow borders and the FREED logo at the top reads:
Emergency Preparedness Trainings
FREE Training for Older Adults and People with Disabilities
Two Standalone Trainings Coming Up:
Friday, October 16th at 11:00am
Friday, November 20th at 11:00am
Location: online (Zoom)
Training Topics
Disaster preparedness for any emergency
Emergency kit basics
Evacuation and communication planning
Register Now!
Email brian .org
530-477-3333

10/14/2026

Tonight on we're in conversation with Caleb Dardick, Author about his new memoir, detailing how his parents, FREED founders Sam and Geeta Dardick, "dropped out" and took their three young kids on a 20,000 mile road trip, eventually homesteading in North San Juan and joining the Independent Living movement. Tune in to hear more about 'The Adventures of Superfreak: My Childhood on the Hippie Trail' and the somewhat more local adventures that followed. Tonight at 6:30pm on KVMR 89.5FM & 105.1FM

10/14/2026

Have you heard of Remote Accessible Vote-By-Mail (RAVBM)? With the election coming up November 3rd, now is the time to familiarize yourself with options such as RAVBM. RAVBM requires you to have access to a computer, internet connection, and a printer, however it is not internet voting.

If voting via RAVBM, you’ll start by contacting your counties local elections office for the RAVBM Ballot. From there you will be able to download the ballot on your computer, utilize your own assistive technology to make your selections, then print the ballot and return it to your county elections office.

More questions about RAVBM or registering to vote? Come into FREED’s Grass Valley office October 15th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. to receive direct support.

Otherwise, you can register to vote at https://registertovote.ca.gov/ or check if you’re registered at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ and remember, the last day to register ahead of time for the November 3rd election is October 19th, 2026.

ID: An event flyer with teal and yellow borders, with the FREED logo at the top. Text reads:
Get Ready to VOTE!
Get Registered & Learn About
Voting Accessibility & More!
Date & Time: Thursday, October 15th, 10am-12pm
Location: FREED, 435 Sutton Way, Grass Valley
Session Topics
1:1 assistance with voter registration
How to vote without a fixed address
Learn about accommodations for voting
Got Questions?
Email abby @ FREED.org
530-477-3333

10/14/2026

Today's the day! Stop by and see us at Nevada County's 4th annual Senior Health Fair! We're at the Gold Miners Inn in Grass Valley 10am-2pm and we're joined by dozens of community partners and businesses serving older adults and people with disabilities. You can also get health screenings and flu shots! And don't forget the snacks and raffle prizes. Free rides on Nevada County Connects! Hope to see you there!

ID: Informational flyer on a blue, green and white geometric pattern background reads: Nevada County's 4th Annual Senior Health Fair. Free Admission
October 14th, 2026
10am-2pm
Gold Miners Inn
121 Bank St.
Grass Valley
For Older Adults & People with Disabilities
Over 45 Resource Providers including Nevada County Adult & Senior Programs, FREED, Hospital services, Non-Profit & Businesses that provide services and resources for older adults and more...
Health Screenings
Flu vaccinations
Audiologist
Blood Pressure Check
Balance Evaluation
COVID vaccinations available if you pre-register with Dokimos' by calling 530-470-8854
Nevada County Connects rides will be free to this event! Raffle Prizes!!! Snacks!!!
Sponsors (logos on the left side):
Elder Care Providers Coalition
Nevada County, California
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation
Amor Care
Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Nevada County
FREED
Cascades of Grass Valley

10/14/2026

El Dorado, Placer, Sierra, and Yuba counties are  also in scope for this PSPS event. Get prepared. 

Due to elevated fire weather conditions, PG&E may issue a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) for portions of Nevada County. For the latest PSPS updates and to check if you may be impacted, visit pge.com/psps.

Take steps now to prepare for a potential power outage:

• Charge phones, portable chargers and essential devices.
• Gather flashlights, batteries and emergency supplies.
• Have drinking water, nonperishable food and medications on hand.
• Make a backup plan for medical equipment that requires electricity.
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those who may need additional assistance.

10/14/2026

RIP 

In loving memory of RJ Mitte
1992–2026

We are heartbroken by the loss of RJ Mitte.

Through his work on screen, including Breaking Bad, RJ helped change how people with cerebral palsy were seen and represented. His presence off screen touched so many lives through his kindness, generosity and dedication to his community.

Many people may not know that RJ served as President of the Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation, carrying forward his grandparents’ philanthropic legacy through scholarships, community grants and investment in arts and education.

RJ also helped champion arts, culture and education in Brownsville, Texas, including the development of The Mitte: Arts and Cultural Center, a place designed to bring people together and create opportunities for the whole community. His commitment to giving back reached far beyond the screen.

He also supported Shriners Children’s and United Cerebral Palsy, using his voice and time to champion people with disabilities and their families. We were fortunate to have met RJ and experienced how kind and generous he was with his time.

This is a huge loss to our community and to the world. Our hearts are with his family, friends and everyone who loved him.

We want to make space here for our community to remember RJ and share how they are feeling. Whether you met him, felt seen through his work or were touched by his advocacy, you are welcome to share a memory or what he meant to you below.

Please reach out to a friend today. Ask, “Are you okay?” Give them time and space to answer honestly, and listen. You deserve that same care, too.

Thank you, RJ. You will be deeply missed. 🤍

10/13/2026

Stop by and see us tomorrow for Nevada County's 4th annual Senior Health Fair! We're at the Gold Miners Inn in Grass Valley 10am-2pm and we're joined by dozens of community partners and businesses serving older adults and people with disabilities. You can also get health screenings and flu shots! And don't forget the snacks and raffle prizes. Hope to see you there!

ID: Informational flyer on a blue, green and white geometric pattern background reads: Nevada County's 4th Annual Senior Health Fair. Free Admission
October 14th, 2026
10am-2pm
Gold Miners Inn
121 Bank St.
Grass Valley
For Older Adults & People with Disabilities
Over 45 Resource Providers including Nevada County Adult & Senior Programs, FREED, Hospital services, Non-Profit & Businesses that provide services and resources for older adults and more...
Health Screenings
Flu vaccinations
Audiologist
Blood Pressure Check
Balance Evaluation
COVID vaccinations available if you pre-register with Dokimos' by calling 530-470-8854
Nevada County Connects rides will be free to this event! Raffle Prizes!!! Snacks!!!
Sponsors (logos on the left side):
Elder Care Providers Coalition
Nevada County, California
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation
Amor Care
Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Nevada County
FREED
Cascades of Grass Valley

10/13/2026

On the next episode of we're joined by Caleb Dardick, Author of 'The Adventures of Superfreak: My Childhood on the Hippie Trail' a new memoir about the youthful adventures of FREED's co-founders, Sam and Geeta Dardick and their 3 young kids on an epic road trip from Amsterdam to Ahmedabad, India. Join us to hear more about Caleb's perspective on his childhood, and how that time shaped his family's involvement in the Independent Living movement. We're on 89.5FM & 105.1FM Wednesday at 6:30pm.