Our volunteers drive Habitat Charlotte. We welcome people from all walks of life to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with God and families in need.
Don’t have construction experience? Don't worry, you're not alone. The vast majority of our volunteers are unskilled. We have a site supervisor on each construction site who will give you instructions and help you get started.
Please read carefully this additional information, but if you have questions please contact
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, Volunteer Coordinator at 704.716.7077.
Important Information for Individuals:
Sign Up: As an individual you do not need to sign up ahead of time, just check where we have assigned individuals on this week's schedule. You do not need to call or contact us to confirm that you are attending. Please note that this schedule is updated on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week for the current week. This is meant for folks who are coming with only one or two other folks. If you have more folks than that we will need to schedule your group ahead of time, so please check out our Group Volunteer Information Page.
Tools: Each person, unless it's on a paint day, must bring drinking water, hammer (16 oz. minimum), tape measure (recommended 25'), pencil, and a nail apron (cloth ones can be purchased at home stores for around $1). Please bring water for your own use. Please bring other hand tools or safety equipment if you have them, for example: hard hat, safety glasses, utility knife, gloves, siding snips, screw driver, nail set, etc. When on site, volunteers are required to wear a safety glasses and a hard hat (except when interior trim and painting are the only tasks on site.)
Times: Please check check this week's schedule to see what times we are currently working. The times vary on the time of year and the work to be done. Please be on time and plan to stay the entire shift.
Lunch: If the shift is over lunch, please bring your own lunch or plan to visit a local restaurant. Please bring water, too.
What to wear: Wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty or paint-splattered. Also, wear tennis shoes or boots. No sandals.
What happens when you arrive: When you get to the house build site, you'll be met by a Habitat Charlotte representative who'll go over construction techniques, safety, and other information. Because key information is covered at this time, please be on time. Please lock your car and keep valuables at home or out of sight.
Each Habitat volunteer must sign a Release of Liability form agreeing to take personal responsibility for any accidents or injuries on the job. Most individuals have a personal health insurance plan that covers them while engaged in volunteer work. However, you should verify your coverage prior to coming to the work site.
Youth Participation: You must be at least 16 years old to work on a construction site. 16 and 17 year-olds must have a parent or guardian sign a Minor's Release of Liability and bring this form to the job site. Volunteers 18 and older will sign the release at the Habitat work site. 16 and 17 year-olds cannot use power tools or work on the roof, or any surfaces over 6 feet off the ground or perform de-construction. There are no exceptions.
Community Service: Community service volunteers (including school, court and lawyer recommended) can learn more about our program at our Community Service page. You must contact us prior to the build day in order to receive a community service time card to keep track of your hours.
Rain: Plan to show up rain or shine. If it's still raining when you get to the work site, and your task takes place outside, we'll try and reassign you to inside work. But if it's safe, we often work in the rain, so bring your raincoat!
Working with the Habitat homeowners: On most Saturdays and sometimes on weekdays, you'll have the chance to work alongside the Habitat homeowners who are working on their sweat equity requirements for their home ownership. Please take time to say hello and get to know them!
Other questions?
Please call 704-716-7077 or email
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if you have any other questions.
