- August 19, 2012:
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FAQ
When does construction take place?
Construction takes place year-round, Tuesday to Saturday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Volunteers are asked to sign in by 8:45am. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator regarding scheduling.
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, 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 anything else that helps get the house built and ready for occupancy.
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. Numerous 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?
Currently, there are openings Tuesday through Saturday. Since this changes periodically, it is advisable to contact the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss available dates.
How physically demanding is volunteering on site?
Volunteers should be reasonably physically fit and prepared to do the work that is planned for the day. Some tasks are more physically demanding than others. 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. Many of the weekday volunteers work one or two days a week, and 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 8:45am 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 by contacting the Habitat Volunteer Coordinator at (203) 785-0794.
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. In addition to plenty of water, sunscreen is also very important 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 with your name or easily identifiable.
How do I get started?
Visit the Volunteer section of our website at www.habitatgnh.org to apply online and to read the necessary paperwork. If you have questions, please contact Ellen McNally, Habitat Volunteer Coordinator, at (203) 785-0794 or emcnally@habitatgnh.org.