Horses have served humans for centuries. Striving to serve them, All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc. (AAE) rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes horses. Established in 2009 as a small, heartfelt endeavor on a family ranch, this now-thriving community-based organization needs a larger home.

To celebrate 40 years of serving people with special needs, Project R.I.D.E.’s therapeutic horseback riding program is upgrading its facilities and expanding programs. A covered outdoor riding arena and upgraded sensory trail will complement existing indoor facilities. A specialized simulator brings more people the joy of riding, and new programs in development will reach a greater audience.

Meals on Wheels helps keep Sacramento County seniors in their homes and communities by providing nutritious meals, safety net services, social contact and community resources. The organization serves seniors aged 60 and better regardless of their income level. 

Founded by Loren and Rachelle Ditmore, City of Refuge Sacramento supports people as they transform their lives, ultimately helping their communities thrive. This nonprofit is helping to “Return Dignity, Restore Lives, and Rebuild Community” in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood. 

For students without family precedent, individual guidance and financial means, college can seem unattainable. Complex college applications and financial assistance paperwork complicate things further. Future Foundation of Sacramento identifies students who, despite these obstacles, show motivation and the ability to excel, and provides an array of resources to overcome the challenges.

Shriners Hospital “Garden Tour of Love” was held on June 9 and the Fair Oaks home of Jerry and Sharon Haleva. The event raised donations and awareness for the Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California. The event hosted more than 100 guests and featured a tour of the Haleva’s unique gardens, as well as live music and ceremonial dove release.

When Clint Allison’s father had a stroke in 2010, he stepped in to provide the round-the-clock care his father, Bob, required. But not long into his father’s recovery, Allison realized he couldn’t do it alone, even with the help of his wife and children.

For victims of domestic violence, planning to escape an abusive situation can be made much more difficult if there is a pet involved.

The Urban Wood Rescue project has allowed the foundation to repurpose landfill-bound wood — and in doing so, to eliminate carbon emissions, as well.

“There’s no place like home” is a familiar phrase, evoking images of a warm hearth and family. For most of us, home is a place of refuge, where we feel safe and can rest and recharge from a long day. It’s something I’ve thought on extensively while producing this month’s issue on housing.