Charlottesville Habitat For Humanity Needs Your Help, Please!

Age Restrictions: All construction volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. All minors are restricted in their activities by Habitat International and our insurance company.  Please let us know before work begins if you are not 18 or older. 14 and 15 year old volunteers are also asked to RSVP with our volunteer coordinator (not online) to ensure the work being done on a site is suitable.

• Fourteen and fifteen year old volunteers must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years of age. Fourteen and fifteen year old volunteers are not allowed to climb ladders or be permitted on a jobsite when power tools are in use.  We will note special youth days when painting, insulation, clean-up or landscaping activities are planned.
• Sixteen and seventeen year old volunteers may go up to 6' on a ladder but are not allowed to go on the roof or use power tools. There must be one adult who is at least 21 years of age accompanying every three sixteen and seventeen year old volunteers.

Work Hours:  Our construction staff typically works with volunteers Tuesday - Saturday from 8:45 a.m. -  3:15 p.m.  Volunteers should plan to arrive at 8:45 to begin the sign-in process so we can begin work promptly at 9:00 a.m.  Construction volunteers are asked to work the entire day unless alternate plans are made with the volunteer coordinator.  Check the construction calendar by clicking the icon to confirm whether we are working on a specific day.

Rain/Snow Forecast: If you have any concern that work might be changed or canceled due to weather, click the weather icon on our website for updates.  You may also call the Habitat office at 293-9066. If we are cancelled or have changed the work, the website and voicemail will say so. Call right before you leave as we will want to wait to see if the weather will improve before canceling.

Lunch: Regrettably, the coordination involved in arranging for volunteer lunches has become too much for our staff to arrange.  While many groups are happy to take on this task, it is never expected.  PLEASE, BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH unless told otherwise by the sponsoring group.  Lunch break is scheduled from 12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Water will be provided, though you may bring your own beverages.  No Glass Containers Please.

What to Bring:  We encourage you to bring a tool belt, safety equipment (gloves, hard hat, safety glasses, etc.) and basic tools (hammer, square, pencil, tape measure, screw driver, etc.) if you have them, as they may be more comfortable than those we supply.  Please leave power tools and valuables at home.  You should label everything and be sure to leave with what you came with.   Habitat cannot be responsible for your personal property so consider leaving that cell phone in the car.

What to Wear:  Closed toe shoes are required!  Boots are recommended, but any thick sole shoe will do.  Please dress for the weather in layers if necessary.  We suggest wearing long pants and sleeved shirts to protect from scrapes, scratches, and sunburns.  Consider leaving your jewelry at home and wearing glasses instead of contact lenses for additional safety.  Pull back long hair and chose clothing that is comfortable, but not too loose that it will easily catch on things.  Insect repellant and sunblock are also good ideas.

Parking & Transportation:  Space is limited on most of our jobsites.  When the site permits, we will provide a designated area, however street parking is usually the only alternative. Please Carpool whenever possible and leave enough time to find a parking spot.  You should always be careful to select a spot that would not inconvenience a neighbor, as we want to be welcomed into the community.  We encourage you to leave a note in your car window with your name and how to contact you in the event someone needs you to move your vehicle. You might also consider using public transportation.