Volunteer on a Build Site

Building homes is what Habitat is all about! If your group would like to help us build our community, please contact our Director of Family & Volunteer Engagement, Zachary Hanvey, to reserve your Saturday:

zachary.hanvey@athenshabitat.com

706-521-6050

Here’s what you need to know:

What’s the daily schedule?

• 9:00 – Everyone in your group needs to be on site and ready to go no later than 9:00. Remember, families are counting on us to get homes built on time, so it’s critical that everyone be on site for the entire shift.
• 9:00-9:15 – Volunteer sign-in and safety review
• 11:30-12:00 – Lunch, provided by Habitat (please alert us ahead of time if anyone in your group has medical or religious dietary restrictions)
• 3:00 – End of the workday

How do we get to the site?

Directions to the site will be given to the group leader. We urge as many volunteers as possible to carpool, bike, or take public transportation. Many of our build sites are in neighborhoods where parking is at a premium and we don’t want to cause disruptions for neighbors.

Can teens volunteer?

Persons age 16-17 can volunteer along with a parent or guardian. Otherwise, you need to be at least 18 years old to work at an Athens Area Habitat build site.

What size groups can volunteer?

Groups of 10-12 people can volunteer to work on a build site. All members of the group should plan to be at the site for the entire workday.

Can individuals volunteer?

If you’re an individual with construction experience and you’d like to volunteer regularly with Athens Area Habitat, please contact our construction supervisor, Josh Houben, to discuss potential opportunities at josh.houben@athenshabitat.com or 706-715-6727 after filling out our online volunteer application:

Click here to complete a construction volunteer application online

What should I wear, and what should I bring?

• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (your nametag will be duct tape!)
• Wear work shoes, preferably boots — no open-toe footwear or lightweight shoes such as canvas sneakers
• Wear a hat, preferably one that will keep the sun off your ears
• Dress in layers for cold weather, as you might get warm once you start working
• Avoid loose, baggy clothing which can get caught on tools, lumber, nails, etc.
• Bring sunscreen and bug repellant
• We will provide water, but it helps if you bring your own water bottle
• We will provide gloves, tools, and other gear, but if you’d like to bring your own, make sure to put your name on it!
• If for any reason you’re unable to eat the lunch provided, please bring your own lunch and a cooler to keep it in if needed

Do I need training?

Our crew will assess skills at the start of the work day and make assignments accordingly. They will also provide basic training for volunteers who want to learn new skills. Everybody has something to contribute, so don’t worry about your skill level — just focus on doing what you can and enjoying a fulfilling day of service!