Work for Habitat for Humanity/Americorp

[Davnasty]

I'm interested in working/volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and I was wondering if anyone on the forum has experience with the organization. My biggest question is how to go about getting involved but any other advice or experience you can share is appreciated.

So far I've mostly looked at positions through Americorp. I'd also be interested in experience anyone has had with the program, even if it's not related to Habitat for Humanity.

[ysette9]

Following for interest. I’ve done a few day-long volunteer gigs with H4H and loved it. It is on my list of things I want to do in FIRE but unfortunately all of that is on hold due to the US being a dumpster fire right now. It is still a dream of mine though.

[Cranky]

I know that they stopped using volunteers for building projects earlier in the year, but I notice that the volunteers are back at the ReStore now so maybe they have resumed builds?

I’d call and ask. I’ve known quite a few people who have volunteered with Habitat.

[MayDay]

I know that they stopped using volunteers for building projects earlier in the year, but I notice that the volunteers are back at the ReStore now so maybe they have resumed builds?

I’d call and ask. I’ve known quite a few people who have volunteered with Habitat.

In MN we are volunteering again through work, outdoor work only.

[terran]

I worked for a day with the local habitat for humanity and that was enough for me. The lax quality expectations of the crew leader was just too depressing. They were producing just a totally crap product. I'm sure it's tough with volunteers, but I think with the right project manager they could probably do a good job, so I'd encourage you to try it out in your area and see how it goes.

[seattlecyclone]

A friend of mine spent a couple years in Americorps with Habitat for Humanity here in Seattle. I've done several days of volunteering with them, but not for a while. The management seemed to have reasonable quality standards when I worked on site, sometimes asking for work to be redone if it wasn't done quite right. I'm far from a construction professional though; totally likely some things were missed. When the foreman is working for less than minimum wage on Americorps, and the rest of the labor has no experience besides occasional DIY on their own homes, there's only so much you can reasonably expect for quality.

[Abe]

Habitat houses in general are over-built to compensate for variability in volunteers’ abilities. They have professional contractors and subcontractors as needed per local code (i.e electrical and plumbing). They historically stand up well over the long term. Obviously finish quality may vary from place to place depending on the volunteers’ experience, but they are to code and inspected. My local chapter is not building right now. Hopefully we can resume in a few months.

[Davnasty]

Thanks for everyone's input. I've volunteered locally a few times by myself but it's only ever been for repair projects, no builds. I got the feeling that builds are generally done with larger groups like school, church, or business groups. Makes sense as they probably need a lot of people at once and they need to be able to count on them showing up.

I'd like to do some more one-day volunteering and ask some questions while I'm there, unfortunately I don't know when that will be possible.

[seattlecyclone]

Thanks for everyone's input. I've volunteered locally a few times by myself but it's only ever been for repair projects, no builds. I got the feeling that builds are generally done with larger groups like school, church, or business groups. Makes sense as they probably need a lot of people at once and they need to be able to count on them showing up.

I'd like to do some more one-day volunteering and ask some questions while I'm there, unfortunately I don't know when that will be possible.

I think every time I've volunteered it has been as part of a larger group. However when I've gone there have usually been a few folks not affiliated with the group who just come in on their own from time to time. I'd recommend contacting the local office and asking what they recommend you do.

[MayDay]

Thanks for everyone's input. I've volunteered locally a few times by myself but it's only ever been for repair projects, no builds. I got the feeling that builds are generally done with larger groups like school, church, or business groups. Makes sense as they probably need a lot of people at once and they need to be able to count on them showing up.

I'd like to do some more one-day volunteering and ask some questions while I'm there, unfortunately I don't know when that will be possible.

I think every time I've volunteered it has been as part of a larger group. However when I've gone there have usually been a few folks not affiliated with the group who just come in on their own from time to time. I'd recommend contacting the local office and asking what they recommend you do.

This has been my experience too. A big group + 1 or 2 random people who volunteer semi regularly or even daily, and who lead a small crew or get sent to do something more skilled while the group does their thing.