Greater New Haven Habitat for Humanity
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FAQ

When does construction take place?

Construction takes place year-round, from Tuesday to Saturday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Is there a minimum age for volunteering on a construction site?

16 is the minimum age requirement for working on site. No one under the age of 16 is allowed on a Habitat construction site. This is a Habitat International regulation.

Volunteers under the age of 18 must complete a waiver of liability form that must also be signed by a parent or guardian.

What do volunteers do on site?

Volunteers perform a huge range of tasks on site, depending on the stage of construction. On the day you volunteer you could be assisting with interior demolition, framing, porch building, installing windows, insulating, tiling, sheetrocking, painting, siding, landscaping, or any of the other numerous things that make a house complete.

I’m unskilled, does that matter?

While we welcome skilled volunteers and want to encourage those in the building trades to join us on site, the majority of our volunteers have few construction skills to begin with. Most of our volunteers remain with us on a long-term basis and volunteer regularly in order to build skills. We will train you in all aspects of construction with the hope that you will continue to volunteer with us, and even perhaps share your skills with unskilled volunteers in the future.

What day should I volunteer?

We have the most need for volunteers on weekdays. Our house sponsor groups bring their volunteers on Saturdays, and we have a number of volunteers who have a long term regular commitment; therefore, there is extremely limited space for new volunteers on that day.

How physically demanding is volunteering on site?

It is a misconception that volunteering on site is too physically demanding for many people. Most of our weekday volunteers are retirees, and we encourage more retirees to consider making Habitat a regular volunteer commitment. There is a large range of tasks to do on site, some physically demanding and some much less so. It is important that all volunteers communicate to the construction supervisor any concerns they may have about particular tasks.

What kind of commitment is Habitat asking for?

What Habitat needs most are volunteers who are able to make a regular commitment. Most of the week day volunteers work one day a week or bi-weekly. Many regular Saturday volunteers work two to three Saturdays a month. Other volunteers, particularly students, work intensively for blocks of time. We rarely are able to accept volunteers who are unable to make a substantial commitment to working with us.

Can I get a ride to and from the site?

We do not provide or arrange transportation. Volunteers must have reliable transportation.

If you drive, please pay attention to No Parking signs. Yes, the City tows!

Do I need to stay for the entire day?

We ask that volunteers work for the entire day, particularly on Saturdays. On weekdays, however, it may be possible to negotiate the work hours, depending on the individual. Discuss this with the Volunteer Coordinator.

What if we need to cancel?

Cancellations do happen, but it is important that they be minimized. Keep in mind that once you make a reservation, our construction staff plans the construction schedule accordingly. If you need to cancel, please do it as soon as possible.

Is there a construction staff supervising the volunteers?

HfHGNH has a professional construction staff. Each site has a construction supervisor who works alongside the volunteers and provides training and general supervision. The members of the construction staff are highly skilled carpenters who are used to working with skilled and unskilled volunteers.

What do I need to bring to the site?

Volunteers need to bring lunch or money for take-out and plenty of water to drink throughout the day. Aside from water, sunscreen is also very important, particularly during the summer months.

Volunteers should wear clothes that can get dirty and are appropriate for the weather. Heavy-soled shoes (athletic shoes are fine) are also important. No open-toed or open-backed shoes (e.g. clogs, crocs, Birkenstocks, etc.) are permitted. We recommend volunteers bring work gloves and safety glasses to the site, and if possible, basic tools such as a hammer, measuring tape, pencil, and utility knife. Tools should be labeled or easily identified.

How do I get started?

New volunteers must attend an orientation before beginning work on a Habitat construction site. Orientation for new volunteers is held at the Habitat office at 37 Union Street, New Haven. Click here for information on the next scheduled orientation.

Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to make a reservation and to confirm the date. The email address is emcnally@habitatgnh.org.