Individual Volunteers

Construction volunteers make a tangible difference with each and every day they help build and rehab homes. No construction experience is necessary. Many first-time volunteers have never picked up a hammer! Full-day opportunities are available Tuesdays through Saturdays.Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about volunteering with our Construction, Wall-Building Warehouse and Disaster Recovery Repair projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Building walls in our warehouse, house raisings on our new builds to demolition day on our rehabs. There are opportunities for volunteers to help with Tyvek, soffit fascia, vinyl siding, window installation, drywall, interior & exterior painting, flooring, installing baseboards, hanging doors, and landscaping.

All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age with a signed minor waiver. All volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited to use power tools for safety reasons.

The day begins promptly at 7:45am. A Staff member will provide a short overview of Habitat, a safety orientation and the task for the day. Please note that your safety is very important, and you must be present for the safety orientation. Supervisors will teach everyone the tasks for the day. If there is ever anything you are asked to do that you are uncomfortable with, the supervisor will be happy to help you get comfortable with the task or find another task for you.

Individual volunteers will be able to see the locations and tasks the week of the build opportunity. All volunteer opportunities are titled “open construction site” and are listed the Friday before each week. Volunteer groups will receive a reminder email three days before their event which will contain the location and task for their group.

All volunteers are asked to commit to the full scheduled day for any project you sign up for.

Sturdy, closed-toed shoes (hiking shoes or boots, leather boots or a solid pair of athletic shoes) are required to volunteer. Wear clothes that can get dirty, ruined and/or paint covered. We have work gloves available on site, but please bring a pair if you have them. Make sure to wear sunscreen and bug spray.

All our volunteers receive a sexual offender background check. We only run a background check for lead volunteers or volunteers on the cash register within the ReStores.

If it is raining, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at 239-652-1684 for delays or cancellations.

We would love for you to bring a friend. Please note that all volunteers must sign up in advance to ensure proper supervision, enough tools and adequate work space.

The first step in setting up an event for a group to come out is to contact the Volunteer Coordinator. In the initial conversations a date will be reserved for the group to come out that is at least three weeks out. During this conversation the point person for the group will inform the Volunteer Coordinator of a tentative number of people, any physical limitations, location preferences, volunteer ages, how the group heard about Habitat and why they want to partner with this affiliate.

All our HOC’s are required to complete 300 hours of sweat equity. So, in any given volunteer opportunity and location there may be a HOC present. However, we cannot guarantee that you will meet an HOC. Their ability to come out and complete their sweat equity is based around their family’s schedule and their jobs.

No, when a volunteer goes onto the Volunteer Hub and creates their own account that is our volunteer application. There would be additional information needed if they would like to become a lead volunteer.

Volunteers will receive an orientation each time they arrive on a jobsite. All orientations will go over briefly the mission and vision of Habitat, how many homes we are completing this year, safety, morning prayer and a group picture.

No experience is required to volunteer within our construction opportunities. All Habitat Field Managers will provide hands on training the morning of. Habitat will also provide all the needed tools and safety equipment for the task at hand.

The Warehouse is where our affiliate builds the walls, door and window frames to all the new homes we are building this season.

For a family to qualify for a Habitat home they must meet three requirements. First, they must have a need for affordable housing. Second, they must be willing to partner with our affiliate. Partnership requires them to complete 300 hours of sweat equity, 20 plus hours of home ownership and finical literacy classes, as well as putting $1,700 dollars in closing costs. Thirdly, they must have the ability to pay. All the homes we build for families are sold to them at its appraised value. Then the homeowner will pay a monthly mortgage that is not more than 30% of their monthly income at a zero to low interest rate.

Yes, all homeowners must pay taxes and insurance on their home. The monthly payment includes taxes and insurance.

The ReStore is not just a place where you can donate your gently used items and find a great deal on furniture, or building materials. It is a place where people from all walks of life work together for a greater good; and a place that strengthens families and builds homes. Opportunities are available Monday through Saturdays.Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about volunteering at any of our four ReStore locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ReStore is a second-hand store for furniture, tchotchkes, kitchen items, construction materials and appliances. All the proceeds from these donated items goes right back into the mission of building homes.

Within our ReStores volunteers will have the opportunity to turn donations into building funds for affordable homes for families within our program. This opportunity may include giving a little extra attention and love to items before they are placed on the display floor, helping customers or putting your organizational skills to the test.

In the ReStore all volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. Volunteers under the age of 16 within the ReStore must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited to use power tools for safety reasons.

The ReStore is a warehouse environment and volunteers must dress appropriately. Volunteers must wear sturdy, closed toe shoes (tennis shoes are fine but no crocs or flip flops). Dress is casual with a t-shirt and jeans or a t-shirt and shorts during the summer. Shirts with any graphic language or images are prohibited. The ReStores can be dirty and dusty, so chances are you will leave here less pristine than when you came.

It is not uncommon to lift up to 50 pounds at a time or help move couches, large tables, appliances, etc. If you have any medical concerns (pregnancy, back problems, etc) or cannot handle the physical demands, the ReStore may not be a good fit for you.

ReStores have two volunteer shifts per day:

Monday – Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm and 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Volunteers working one shift can take a 15-minute break. Volunteers working two shifts in a row can take two 15-minute breaks and a 30-minute lunch break. All break times need to be coordinated with the ReStore manager.

Volunteers will know the location when they sign up for the ReStore. They will get an overview of tasks on the Volunteer Hub but will know their specific task when they arrive at the ReStore the day of.

All of our volunteers receive a sexual offender background check. We only run a background check for lead volunteers or volunteers on the cash register within the ReStores.

We count on your commitment to volunteer. However, if you are not able to make your shift, please cancel at least 24 hours before your shift begins so we can replace you.

To best utilize your skills and to best help the managers at the ReStore it is helpful to know who will be volunteering and on what day/time. This promotes an opportunity to be more productive due to the planning process that will take place beforehand.

The first step in setting up an event for a group to come out is to contact the Volunteer Coordinator. In the initial conversations a date will be reserved for the group to come out that is at least three weeks out. During this conversation the point person for the group will inform the Volunteer Coordinator of a tentative number of people, any physical limitations, location preferences, volunteer ages, how the group heard about Habitat and why they want to partner with this affiliate.

All our HOC’s are required to complete 300 hours of sweat equity. So, in any given volunteer opportunity and location there may be a HOC present. However, we cannot guarantee that you will meet an HOC. Their ability to come out and complete their sweat equity is based around their family’s schedule and their jobs.

No, when a volunteer goes onto the Volunteer Hub and creates their own account that is our volunteer application. There will be additional information needed if they would like to become a lead volunteer.

You will receive an orientation the first time you volunteer. All orientations will go over briefly the mission and vision of Habitat, how many homes we are completing this year, safety, and morning prayer.

No experience is required to volunteer within our ReStore opportunities. We provide hands on training the morning of. Habitat will also provide all the needed tools and safety equipment for the task at hand.

For a family to qualify for a Habitat home they must meet three requirements. First, they must have a need for affordable housing. Second, they must be willing to partner with our affiliate. Partnership requires them to complete 300 hours of sweat equity, 20 plus hours of home ownership and finical literacy classes, as well as putting $1,700 dollars in closing costs. Thirdly, they must have the ability to pay. All the homes we build for families are sold to them at its appraised value. Then the homeowner will pay a monthly mortgage that is not more than 30% of their monthly income at a zero to low interest rate.

Yes, all homeowners must pay taxes and insurance on their home. The monthly payment includes taxes and insurance.