Volunteer: FAQ
What do I need to know for my first volunteer day?
The Volunteer Coordinator will inform you before your scheduled work day of the location of the construction site, nature of the work, hours, and the house leader’s name.
What should construction volunteers bring?
If you would like to bring your own tools, you are welcome, but please mark them with your name. The house leaders will provide tools but some folks are more comfortable with their own tools such as their own safety glasses and work gloves.
For safety reasons, please wear closed toe shoes. Also hats and sunscreen are also a good idea. Water and/or Gatorade are always available per site…
What happens at the work site?
Once on site the house leader will provide an orientation to include safety measures, introductions, liability waiver completion, and identify the nature of the work for the day.
What about the Homeowner?
You may meet or work with the Family Partner (future homeowner), who will be involved in the construction of their future home. The relationship between volunteers, Habitat staff and the families in the program is just as important as the house they are building together.
Dedication ceremony for the Holmes family, Thrivent volunteers and Habitat Staff members, Spring 2009
Are there age limitations?
Yes. Our guidelines are from OSHA regulations and from Habitat's insurance company:
- No one under 14 is permitted on a Habitat building site for safety reasons
- Those aged 14-15 are welcome to help during painting or landscaping phases of a project. However, they are not allowed on a building site while construction is in progress.
- Those aged 16-17 can do general construction, but cannot use power equipment; work on a ladder, roof or scaffolding, or cannot participate in any hazardous activity.
- Volunteers under the age of 18 and their parent/guardian are required to complete and sign a Release and Waiver of Liability for Minors form.
- Groups with members under 16 can be assigned to non-construction projects, such as Lunch Sponsors, lot maintenance, fundraising, etc.
Who is responsible if injuries or accidents occur while volunteering?
Each Habitat volunteer must sign a Release and Waiver of Liability form, agreeing to take personal responsibility for any accidents or injuries they may incur. Your (or your group's) health insurance plan should cover you while engaged in volunteer work; however, you should verify that you have this type of coverage prior to signing the form.
What about other problems that may surface – even after the workday?
Our goal is to provide a meaningful volunteer experience. We encourage volunteers to share their insight, especially if it will benefit future home-owners, volunteers and staff.
What other things can volunteers do besides construction?
If construction is not your thing…
- Lunch Sponsors- to provide lunch and drinks for Saturday construction volunteers. This is great for Youth groups, Sunday school classes, Families and individuals. Lunch can be fast food, sack lunches from home, pot of soup or whatever you can dream up.
- Transportation of materials and tools to or from a work site
- Clean-up at the end of a workday
- Lot maintenance, such as mowing, weed-eating, etc
- Leading a Financial Skills Class for partner families one evening a month
- Family Services Committees
- Office Support
- Administrative support on a build site
- ReStore- unloading donations, cleaning and organizing
- Sponsor a house (provide major funding and volunteers for construction of a specific home)