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Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions

constructionHow do I sign up to volunteer?
It is required to sign up to volunteer through Jodi Isom, our Volunteer Services Manager.  Jodi can be reached via email at jodii@fchabitat.org or 920-967-8882.  For a list of our current opportunities, click here.  You can also sign up to receive weekly email updates from Jodi.  These are sent every Wednesday afternoon and list all volunteer opportunities & announcements.  To sign up to receive weekly email updates, click here.

When are construction workdays?
Our construction season typically runs from mid/late March through early January.  Construction work takes place on Saturdays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8am-4pm.  We typically build 10-15 homes per year. 

What are your greatest volunteer needs?
Our greatest volunteer needs include experienced construction volunteers who can serve in leadership roles onsite (site leaders and crew mentors), site support volunteers, meal providers and committee volunteers.  We are also in need of volunteers at our Habitat ReStore (see below). 

constructionWhat if I’m signed up and I need to cancel?
If you are canceling with several days notice, contact Jodi Isom.  If you need to cancel last minute, please contact one of our three Construction Supervisors:  Kevin Franz:  920-205-9353; Kevin Gostomski:  920-205-1051; Rod Voland 920-205-9046.

What about weather conditions/rain?
Please look at the task you’re signed up to help with.  If it is an interior task (insulation, ceiling or wall sheetrock, underlayment, painting, interior finish work, cleaning, etc.) we will work regardless of weather conditions.  If the construction task is an outside task, we may call off the workday due to rain or inclement weather.  Safety is our #1 priority!  Please call one of the three Construction Supervisors as early as 7am on the workday in question to find out if we are working or not (see above for their contact info). 

What do I need to bring to a worksite?
Typically we ask all volunteers to bring the following when they volunteer onsite:

constructionWhat is provided to me when I volunteer onsite?
Habitat provides coffee, water & lemonade onsite.  We also provide lunch for all full workdays (8am-4pm workdays).  For half days (landscaping & cleaning tasks), no meal is provided.  If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, you may want to bring your own lunch. 

Are there age restrictions for construction volunteers under age 18?
Yes, our insurance company mandates our age policy.  No one under age 14 can be on a Habitat worksite when construction is going on.  Youth ages 14-15 can help with painting, landscaping or cleaning with a parent along.  Youth ages 16-17 can help with general construction tasks and must have 1 adult to every 3 youth.  No one under age 18 can work on a roof, go on a ladder or use power tools.  There is a special registration/liability form required for volunteers under age 18.  Contact Jodi Isom for more details about getting teens involved in volunteering.

What if I’m interested in volunteering at Habitat ReStore?
Diane Pfeffer coordinates all volunteers at Habitat ReStore.  Contact Diane at dianep@fcrestore.org or 920-967-8901.

Besides construction work, what else can I do as a volunteer?
restoreThere are many ways to get involved as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.  Some other ways include:

  • Habitat ReStore (see above)
  • Site support (non-construction person onsite who takes care of volunteer needs)
  • Meal providers – donate a lunch to a Habitat worksite
  • Special events like Gift Wrap for Habitat, Human Race, etc.
  • Lot maintenance – keeping empty lots mowed & sidewalks shoveled
  • Office work
  • Speaker’s Bureau
  • Delivery/pick-up’s
  • Committee work

What if I know someone who is building with Habitat (i.e. a Habitat homeowner)?  Can I help build their home specifically?
Certainly!  Habitat homeowners are allowed to have friends & family help build their home.  Special volunteers spots are reserved for homeowners and their friends and family on their own build.  Contact the homeowner directly OR Jodi Isom.

What is the Habitat Senior Crew?
Our senior crew is a group of highly dedicated volunteers.  They commit to volunteering regularly with Habitat.  They serve as the leadership volunteers on our worksites.  They are mostly over age 55 and retired, but not always.  For more information about the Habitat senior crew, contact Jodi Isom.

Is it required to attend a Volunteer Orientation?women build
We require volunteer orientation for volunteers who intend to be “regular” with Habitat.  If you are just signing up for one workday, whether as an individual or group, you do not need to attend a volunteer orientation.  However, if you have volunteered several times or you intend to volunteer somewhat regularly, we would like you to attend one of our monthly sessions.  See the schedule here and sign up with Jodi.

What is Women Build?
Our Women Build is one home built each year (typically in May & June).  All volunteers on a Women Build project are female (actually men can provide meals and/or site support).  Women Build is typically a blitz build.  We do pre-build Saturdays to frame the house on Saturdays in May and early June and then we conclude the build with an 8 day blitz typically in mid-June.