Volunteer
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Swinging a hammer is not a requirement for serving at Habitat for Humanity. We welcome people from all walks of life to join us in our mission to make affordable housing a reality for hard-working families in our community. Whatever your experience, stage of life, skill-set, or passion, there is a place for you here.
STEPS TO GET INVOLVED
- Read our volunteer opportunities below and decide what interests you.
- Tell us! Fill out our volunteer form.
- We will connect with you promptly and set up an orientation.
- Questions? Contact our volunteer coordinator at 218-454-7021.
Who you report to: Construction Manager and/or Volunteer Coordinator
What you can expect for work:
- You will participate in all aspects of home building except the following: plumbing, excavation/concrete, HVAC, electrical, shingling, and sheetrock.
- No experience is needed- hands on training is given for those new to building
- Experienced volunteers have the opportunity to mentor or guide new volunteers
Our Mission. . .And How YOU fit in and Serve it
Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity creates security, stability, strength and self-reliance for hard-working and low-income families. We do this by providing safe, decent, affordable homes. These homes are built by our committed volunteers.
Job Duties:
- Including but not limited to: painting, hammering, using staple guns, sawing, lifting, cleaning, ladder use.
- Tasks will be provided based on ability- i.e. if you have vertigo you will be assigned a ground task
- Adhere to basic safety guidelines
- Follow the directions and guidance of Site Supervisor/Construction Manager
Skills and Requirements:
- You must be be 14+ and follow all age guidelines/restrictions
- Ability to follow instructons to complete tasks
- Willingness to learn various construction duties and complete assigned work
- Sensitivity to socioeconomical and cultural diversity
- Volunteers with construction experience and/or long-term volutneers may be ased to become Mentors or Crew Leaders who guide small groups of volunteers in specific tasks
Time Commitment:
We ask construction volunteers to commit to at least 3 shifts over the course of a month.
If you would like to volunteer with Construction, please contact Heidi Gould, Volunteer Coordinator, at 218-454-7021.
Who you report to: Resource Development Director/Volunteer Coordinator
What you can expect for work:
You will help at various fundraisers and special events such as Pints for a Purpose and Lakes Area Dancing with the Stars, as well as possbile pre-event set-up and prepwork.
Our Mission. . .And How YOU fit in and Serve it
Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity creates security, stability, strength and self-reliance for hard-working and low-income families. We do this by providing safe, decent, affordable homes. These homes are funded through the efforts of fundraising events, along with donor cultivation. You are contributing towards securing funding to bring a family home.
Job Duties:
- For Women Build events- help market, recruit and plan events
- For other events: set-up, selling raffle tickets, answering questions about Habitat and other various tasks
- Willingness to socialize with people of all walks of life to cultivate ticket buyers, potential volunteers, etc.
- Assist with various tasks and clean-up as needed
Skills and Requirements:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Knowledge of Habitat history and mission
- Ability to learn and adapt quickly
- Sensitivity to socioeconomical and cultural diversity
- May require lifting and longer periods of standing and walking
Time Commitment:
Events are scheduled in advance and are sporadic. We ask that event volunteers commit to helping at one event every 3 months. Events are typically in the evenings, Saturdays, and the occasional Sunday.
If you would like to volunteer with Special Events, please contact Heidi Gould, Volunteer Coordinator, at 218-454-7021.
Who you report to: Program Assistant and Family Services Manager
What you can expect for work:
As a volunteer with Family Selection you will provide information to potential applicants, participate in home visits with a partner, and aid in the process of selecting families who meet the selection criteria.
Our Mission. . .And How YOU fit in and Serve it
Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity creates security, stability, strength and self-reliance for hard-working and low-income families. We do this by providing safe, decent, affordable homes. Your service towards sharing the application process and selecting from among them who is most likely to embrace the Habitat process and be successful, is perhaps one of the most vital ways to serve our mission.
Job Duties:
- Help present information on the application process at gatherings, assist in distributing applications, and help with set-up/clean-up
- With the aid of a partner, conduct home visits during the selection process
- Assist in the evaluation process for home visits and applications
- Attend selection committee meetings
- Attend house dedication ceremonies for selected families
Skills and Requirements:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Knowledge of Habitat history and mission
- Ability to learn the application process and follow strict privacy and confidentiality guidelines
- Sensitivity to socioeconomical and cultural diversity; ability to remain unbiased
Time Commitment:
- Attend trainings and informational sessions on how family selection works
- Family Selection process occurs every 12-18 months
- Participate in a minimum of 3 home visits and 70% of Selection Committee meetings
If you would like to apply to volunteer on any of these committees, please contact Heidi Gould, Volunteer Coordinator, at 218-454-7021.
Family Selection
PURPOSE: Carry out the Board's vision by identifying families in need of decent, affordable housing. Develop the processes and policies for selecting those who best meet the criterion in the policies.
Women's Build
Land
PURPOSE: To target the area or areas of the community or communities in which the projects of the Affiliate will be built and investigate the availability of property. The committee works with the Building Committee and administrator to evaluate the Suitability of the potential sites prior to acquisition. Makes recommendations to the Board regarding site acquisitions.
- To determine area or areas in which to build a Habitat house.
- To evaluate properties available for suitability for a Habitat house.
- Land use regulations.
- Zoning regulations/restrictions/covenants.
- Environmental concerns.
- Surrounding neighborhood.
- Accessibility of property.
- Setback requirements.
- Cost of property.
- To present a detailed analysis and recommendation to the Board of Directors for consideration to acquire properties.
Development
PURPOSE: To establish a solid plan for consistent, regular sources of income to operate a financially sound organization and to fund all of its programs and expenses.
- To develop on-going fundraising projects.
- To determine the short-term and long-term funding needs.
- Plan funding activities for the full Board to approve.
- Identify and recruit members to serve on fundraising projects.
- Educate the community/public on the need to support the organization.
Personnel
PURPOSE: To guide the personnel decisions of the affiliate.
- Review the personnel policies of the affiliate
- Ensure the affiliate has clearly written job descriptions for all personnel
- Ensure that annual reviews are conducted for all personnel conducted by the Executive Director for all personnel and by the Board of Directors for the Executive Director
- Recommend to the Board of Directors changes to the personnel structure (additions to or subtractions from staff positions)
- Ensure all employment laws are adhered to by the affiliate
Finance
PURPOSE: Coordinate all financial and accounting aspects of the affiliate. Provide accurate and useful financial information to the Board of Directors to facilitate effective decision-making.
Who you report to: Volunteer Coordinator/ReStore staff
What you can expect for work:
As a volunteer in ReStore, there are many opportunities to help. See ReStore job list. You can work with customers, work behind the scenes, whatever best suits you.
Our Mission. . .And How YOU fit in and Serve it
Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity creates security, stability, strength and self-reliance for hard-working and low-income families. We do this by providing safe, decent, affordable homes. ReStore not only serves to save reusable materials from the landfill but to fund our affiliate and its mission to house families.
Job Duties:
- Customer service- assist customers with locating items, answering questions, finding a staff person if needed
- If a Cashier, stay close enough to till so customers do not need to wait
- If behind the scenes, work with other volunteers and staff to ensure product is clean, priced, and placed in the appropriate room on the floor
- Understand what ReStore and Habitat do, the purpose and mission of both, to serve as an advocate when talking with customers and potential volunteers
Skills and Requirements:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- May require longer periods of standing and walking
- Follow all ReStore safety guidelines
- Ability to complete tasks to the best of your ability
- Must complete ReStore orientation and safety training
Time Commitment:
Most ReStore volunteers have regular shifts once a week. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 2 shifts over the course of a month.
If you would like to volunteer in the ReStore, please contact Heidi Gould, Volunteer Coordinator, at 218-454-7021.
Who you report to: ReStore Donations Coordinator
What you can expect for work:
As a salvage volunteer, your service is two-fold. Working with contractors to salvage usable materials from homes being remodelled or demoed saves usable materials from filling our landfills. These materials are then sold in the ReStore to support Habitat and its mission to provide safe, decent housing. Salvage volunteers help the environment and help build homes. It’s a win-win.
Our Mission. . .And How YOU fit in and Serve it
Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity creates security, stability, strength and self-reliance for hard-working and low-income families. We do this by providing safe, decent, affordable homes. ReStore not only serves to save reusable materials from the landfill but to fund our affiliate and its mission to house families. All materials from salvages is sold in our ReStore.
Job Duties:
- Work with other volunteers on the removal of usable materials, such as flooring, tongue-and-groove, cabinets, doors, windows, etc.
- Tasks include, but are not limited to: pulling flooring, rolling carpet, pulling nails, etc.
- Clean up at the end of day, especially if a remodel, not a demo.
Skills and Requirements:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- May require longer periods of standing and walking
- Follow all Habitat safety guidelines
- May involve heavy lifting
Time Commitment:
Salvage times are busiest in the early spring and fall. Many salvages require an all-day commitment. There are opportunities to car-pool.
Who you report to: ReStore Donations Coordinator
What you can expect for work:
This volunteer opportunity is sporadic, and occurs only when the staff pick-up crew is unable to keep up with the influx of pick-ups requests.
Our Mission. . .And How YOU fit in and Serve it
Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity creates security, stability, strength and self-reliance for hard-working and low-income families. We do this by providing safe, decent, affordable homes. ReStore not only serves to save reusable materials from the landfill but to fund our affiliate and its mission to house families. Our pick-up volunteers transport donated items for those who are unable to get the materials to our store.
Job Duties:
- Use LAHFH box truck, truck/trailer, or personal trailer to pick up donations around the Lakes Area
- Work with pick-up partner to safely load and transport donations
- Be respectful of the homes you are entering
Skills and Requirements:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- May require longer periods of driving, sitting
- Follow all Habitat safety guidelines
- May involve heavy lifting
- Willingness to represent Habitat in a positive and respectful light while volunteer and with all customers
Time Commitment:
Sporadic need and time commitment.