Stand Up Placer is a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to empowering Placer County survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. We provide programs and resources that help individuals and their families heal from trauma and create new lives of strength and self-sufficiency. We are deeply rooted in our community, inspiring residents to help end the legacy of abuse and support survivors on their journey to recovery.
Led by a volunteer board of directors, our organization includes 52 dedicated staff members and over 40 volunteers who work around the clock to provide essential services to victims of abuse and their families. Our comprehensive support includes emergency shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, legal advocacy, and more—ensuring survivors have the resources and hope they need to rebuild their lives.
Stand Up Placer firmly believes that everyone deserves to live a life free from violence. Everyone–regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, marital status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. We are committed to providing trauma-informed, diverse, and culturally responsive services to all survivors.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, Stand Up Placer is here to help. Contact us through the chat or helpline number above.
Stand Up Placer is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) (Tax ID 94-2578871)
Gary McDonald
CEO/Executive Director
Gary@standupplacer.org
Kelly M. Shea-Velasco
Chief Giving Officer
KellyV@standupplacer.org
Louise Arquilla
Chief Program Officer
LouiseA@standupplacer.org
Kevin VanderBes
Director of Operations
kevin@standupplacer.org
Wade Zeller
Director of Finance
Wade@standupplacer.org
Eric Carin
Staff Attorney
Eric@standupplacer.org
Sarah Hansen
Housing Program
Supervisor
Sarah@standupplacer.org
Omar Johnson
Sexual Assault Program
Supervisor
Omar@standupplacer.org
Shasta Wright
Safe House Manager
Shasta@standupplacer.org
Kelly Ormosen
Clinical Program
Manager
Kelly@standupplacer.org
Josie Mays
Sexual Assault
Programs Coordinator
Josephine@standupplacer.org
Emalee Beavers
Sexual Assault
Response Team
Coordinator
Emalee@standupplacer.org
Cathy Sandell
Programs Compliance Manager
Cathy@standupplacer.org
Vickie Turnquist
Sex Trafficking
Programs Coordinator
Vickie@standupplacer.org
Our Outreach and Prevention team is dedicated to engaging with our community through a wide variety of events, including resource fairs, county fairs, local festivals, farmers markets, faith-based gatherings, brewfests, Pride celebrations, and community meetings. We take pride in participating in events that reflect the rich diversity of our community and its many cultures.
As an apolitical and secular agency, we are committed to providing valuable information and resources to any group interested in learning more. If you would like us to speak or host an informational table at your event, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we would be delighted to connect with you!
Stand Up Placer also provides more in-depth information to groups and organizations about the services we offer. Additionally, we can educate on the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Service organizations, crisis services, non-profit agencies, businesses, and social and faith-based groups may benefit from increased awareness surrounding domestic and sexual violence.
Education on the following topics is available:
Stand Up Placer provides valuable, age-appropriate information to students in K-12 and college settings. Stand Up Placer can speak at assemblies, to individual classes, and to extra-curricular groups such as athletics, clubs, and student governments. We are also able to provide training to staff and faculty within these educational settings.
Topics include:
Domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking manifest in complex and unique ways within the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, this community lacks access to many resources available to many survivors. Stand Up Placer engages with the LGBTQ+ community to provide informed, culturally-specific educational programming. We speak with local community groups, student clubs, and crisis service organizations that intersect with the LGBTQ+ community.
