Volunteering
Volunteer FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What do volunteers do to help?
How do I volunteer for a build day or other office project?
What if I want to bring a group to volunteer?
What opportunities do you have for volunteers ages 15 and under?
What skills or experience are required to be a construction volunteer?
When and where is Habitat DeKalb building?
Q: What do volunteers do to help?
A: Building homes requires help with construction and non-construction tasks.
CONSTRUCTION: We depend on volunteers to work on every phase of home building from start to finish, from complex building tasks like carpentry and roofing, to simple tasks like carrying supplies and cleanup.
NON-CONSTRUCTION: Many things happen before, during, and after building to make Habitat homes and homeowners successful. Landscaping, cleaning up after the construction workers, cleaning the house just before dedication are all vital non-construction tasks. We also need non-construction volunteers at the office. These volunteers support Habitat by doing everything from basic office and phone help to serving on these key committees:
- Family Selection & Support
- Resource Development
- Public Relations
- Faith Relations
- Volunteer
- Site Selection
- Construction
Volunteers also serve on our Board of Directors. Without our dedicated volunteers (construction and non-construction), there would be no Habitat. You will learn all about these opportunities and have a chance to share your interests and skills with us at the New Volunteer Orientation.
Q: How do I volunteer for a build day or other office project?
A: Easy... All we need is a little information. Simply click here to visit our Volunteer Opportunities calendar and sign up to attend a New Volunteer Orientation. After attending an orientation session, you will be able to visit the calendar and sign up for the any open volunteer opportunities.
A: Anyone age 16 and older may volunteer on our construction projects. Volunteers under age 18 need a parent or guardian must also sign the waiver. In addition, minors who will be volunteering without a parent present must also bring a notarized copy of the "Minor Consent to Treat" form.
Our volunteers are men and women of all ages and walks of life. They include church and synagogue members, employees of businesses, civic groups, college students, retirees, friends and relatives.
Q. What if I want to bring a group to volunteer?
A. Call our office (770) 270-6813 to make arrangements if you have a group of 5-25. Sponsoring groups will receive priority scheduling for their financial support of the project. Sponsorship levels begin at $500, which often to equates to as little as $25 per person. Scheduling can take place two weeks to four months in advance, subject to date availability.
Q. What opportunities do you have for volunteers ages 15 and under?
A. We have plenty of ways for youth to get involved with our mission of providing safe, decent, affordable homes in DeKalb County. Youth volunteers may perform limited duties on certain sites, such as painting or landscaping (age restrictions apply) or help serve lunches to build site volunteers. For more information about our Youth United opportunities, please contact Kirsten Black, Volunteer Coordinator, at (770) 270-6813 or volunteernow@dekalbhabitat.org.
Q: What skills or experience are required to be a construction volunteer?A: Maybe you've never held a hammer...or you have a little weekend project experience...or maybe you're highly skilled trades professional... We need and welcome your help no matter what level of skill.
Unskilled volunteers are guided by construction managers and instructed by construction crew leaders or other skilled volunteers. No matter what your skill level, you'll learn a lot working with us. Skilled volunteers are always appreciated for the talents they share to make sure that our affordable homes meet quality standards. What we all share as volunteers is the desire to help build homes for families who would not otherwise have affordable housing.
A. No, Habitat has all the tools and equipment that are needed. Please wear sturdy shoes and work clothes.
Q: When and where is DeKalb Habitat building?
A: Most of construction, rehabilitation, and repair work takes place on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check the information on the Volunteer Opportunities calendar when you sign up for location, specific hours and other information.
