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 be co-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, site clean up or any of the other numerous things that make a house complete.

Some of the work is menial and grubby. We ask that volunteers be willing to undertake the tasks assigned to them. If you are wary of heights, please alert the construction staff when you sign in so that they can plan accordingly.

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. Many 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, and even perhaps share your skills with unskilled volunteers in the future.

What day(s) can I volunteer?

We have need for volunteers on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Saturday volunteering is limited to our house sponsor groups and Habitat volunteers who have a long term regular commitment.

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, such as climbing ladders or working with power tools.

What kind of commitment is Habitat asking for?

Habitat needs volunteers who are able to make a regular commitment. Most of the weekday volunteers work one or two days a week. Many regular Saturday volunteers work two to three Saturdays a month. Other volunteers, particularly students, work intensively for blocks of time. We encourage volunteers 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 a vehicle on site because the construction staff sometimes needs to relocate them to a different work site. The staff is not able to transport you!

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 the entire day. On weekdays, it may be possible to negotiate an earlier finish time (e.g. to pick up children at the end of the school day). However, the 9am start time is firm.

What if I 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 so as soon as possible.

How are volunteers supervised?

HfHGNH has a professional construction staff. Each site has a construction manager 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?

Generally, new volunteers must attend an orientation before beginning work on a Habitat construction site. However, because we currently have a surplus of volunteers, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss volunteering. The email address is emcnally@habitatgnh.org.