Individual Volunteering2022-06-29T19:48:14+00:00

Individual Volunteering

Helping build a decent place for all to live

Habitat for Humanity began as a grass-roots effort, and thanks to the commitment of countless volunteers, it’s become a movement dedicated to providing safe, decent, affordable housing for families who lack adequate shelter.

Habitat welcomes all volunteers

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Providence and East Bay  has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers, supporters, and program beneficiaries from all backgrounds.

Volunteer Sign Up

Individual Volunteering

Volunteers are at the heart of Habitat’s work. Because of our volunteers, whole neighborhoods improve and completely transform. Through this transformation, families achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life.

We build and repair homes throughout the year, and we want your help – whatever your skill level is!

Construction & Repair

As a volunteer with our Construction or Home Repair teams, you will work with skilled Habitat staff, future Habitat homeowners, and Greater Providence area homeowners on a variety of home building and home repair projects. We provide all of the training and tools you need for the job.

Construction and Repair opportunities are Wednesday through Saturday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

For more information, sign up above, or contact: [email protected]

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Habitat welcomes volunteers for a mutually beneficial experience. If swinging a hammer isn’t your style, we welcome your help on committees, with administrative work at our office, as a photographer, and more.

For more information, sign up above, or contact:[email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Please review the following frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact: [email protected].

Do I need to have construction skills?2020-05-26T13:47:32+00:00

No, we do not require previous construction experience — just a willingness to work hard, learn, and be flexible. But if you do have construction experience (like carpentry, electrical, drywalling, etc.), we encourage you to utilize it on-site with us!

Is there a minimum age requirement2020-05-26T13:32:21+00:00

All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Youth ages 16 and 17 are not permitted to use power tools or work more than 10 feet off the ground.

How long are the build days?2020-05-26T13:36:47+00:00

We work from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. We ask that volunteers arrive on-site promptly at 8:30 am for our safety orientation. For our projects to be successful, we need volunteers to commit to the entire day.

Where is the construction site?2023-04-07T20:36:27+00:00

We build in target neighborhoods throughout the Greater Providence area, including Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls.

What will I be doing on the site?2020-05-26T13:40:37+00:00

It all depends! We appreciate your flexibility and openness to all aspects of building. You’ll find out about the day’s projects once you arrive at the site. What we’re working on depends on the current phase of home construction so that you could be doing anything from demolition to drywall hanging to landscaping. Your flexibility is the most important thing to bring with you to the worksite. Remember that all jobs, no matter how “glamorous,” are equally crucial to a well-build Habitat house!

Can I come late or leave early?2020-05-26T13:40:58+00:00

We ask for a full day’s commitment from volunteers so that we can keep up with our construction schedules and meet project deadlines. Arriving on-site by 8:30 am will ensure that you are included in the day’s plans and receive all the training you need. Late arrivals and early departure make it hard for us to finish the day’s agenda successfully.

What should I bring to the construction site?2020-05-26T13:41:19+00:00

We ask that you bring your own water and lunch. You should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. We provide all tools and safety equipment (hardhats, safety glasses, earplugs, and dust-masks).

What do I bring for lunch?2020-05-26T13:41:42+00:00

We encourage volunteers to bring their own lunch or money to buy something at a nearby corner-store or restaurant. We take an hour-long lunch break and, if volunteers have left for lunch, we ask that they return on time to begin the afternoon’s project.

What about cancellations or inclement weather?2020-05-26T13:42:01+00:00

We don’t often cancel build days because we can usually work on indoor projects when we need to. However, if extreme weather is forecast or is already here, we may decide to cancel the workday. In the winter, we base our decision on the Providence Public School District’s operating schedule. If schools close or delay, we do the same. In the summer and on Saturdays, Habitat will make a decision as soon as possible on the day before and update all volunteers via email and phone. Regardless of the status of a build day, if you don’t feel comfortable traveling to the site, that’s perfectly fine — just let us know!

Are construction sites safe?2020-05-26T13:42:15+00:00

We provide an in-depth safety talk at the beginning of your volunteer day. We make sure you have all the training and supervision you need to complete the day’s project safely. All safety gear is provided on-site, and each of our staff members is certified in First Aid and CPR. We want you to be comfortable with the project you’re assigned to; if you’re ever uncomfortable with a task, we’ll find something else for you to work on.

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