Habitat for Humanity
of Kent County
425 Pleasant Street SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone (616) 774-2431
Fax (616) 774-4120
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 5 pm
Saturdays
By Appointment
Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat Street
Americus, GA 31709
Phone (912) 924-6935
Toll Free 1-800-HABITAT
Habitat for Humanity
of Kent County
425 Pleasant Street SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone (616) 774-2431
Fax (616) 774-4120
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 5 pm
Saturdays
By Appointment
Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat Street
Americus, GA 31709
Phone (912) 924-6935
Toll Free 1-800-HABITAT
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Individual Volunteer Opportunities
We have many ways for you to get involved. Though Habitat for Humanity is often solely associated with home building, we need volunteers in a range of areas both on the construction site and off.
Volunteer Job Descriptions
Construction volunteers are the backbone of Habitat. Without their help, we would not be able to sell our homes at affordable prices. General construction volunteers are out on the job site doing hands-on work. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the day begins at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesdays begin at 9:30, and the day ends at 4 p.m. Volunteers meet the site supervisor at the address of the build and sign in. They fill out a waiver and then receive a brief morning orientation and safety talk before getting to work. Tasks may include:
-
Deconstruction: using a sledge hammer to break through an old wall, prying out nails, removing insulation, gutting out the house and stripping it down to the framework; involves fairly heavy labor and is not recommended for those with breathing issues
-
Reframing: adding support to the existing framework of the structure, rebuilding trusses, correcting uneven floors or roofs, creating new walls and barriers; moderate labor intensity
-
Siding: light labor that consists of cutting pieces of siding to size and nailing them in place; may involve moderate height when working on scaffolding
-
Painting: usually light work where paint is applied to interior surfaces
-
Trim carpentry: pieces of wooden decorative boards are cut to size and nailed along doorways, windows and the floor. Also includes installation of cabinets, counter tops, sinks, vanities, shelving and hardware; moderate intensity
-
Landscaping: digging holes, planting flowers or bushes, raking woodchips into place, shoveling dirt or stones; intensity and tasks vary with the size of the lot
-
Laminate flooring: installing floorboards by fitting laminated pieces together and hammering into place; moderate intensity
-
Final details: filling nail holes, doing touch-up painting, adjusting light fixtures, etc.; intensity varies with tasks
-
Punch list: completing many small tasks that would prevent the home from being approved by the inspector; intensity varies with tasks
Carpenter’s Club
Some construction volunteers commit to serving on a regular basis, thereby joining our Carpenter’s Club. We rely on their skill and expertise as our foundation of specialized labor; they also help show new volunteers the ropes.
ReStore General Volunteer
At our retail outlet the ReStore, volunteers are needed to stock display windows, rearrange shelves, inventory donated building materials, keep the store clean, run the cash register and perform other retail-related activities.
Assistant to the Facilities Manager
Our office facility and warehouse require a lot of time and effort. This volunteer position helps keep supplies tools clean and organized. Bringing building materials to various job sites in Big Red, our pickup, may also be necessary.
Painting trim/baseboards/handrails
If flexibility is critical for you, consider coming to our warehouse to paint for a minimum of three hours. The trim, baseboards and handrails are then installed directly into one of our homes to be viewed by the homebuyers for years and years.
Data Entry
With thousands of volunteers working with Habitat Kent each year, we compile huge amounts of information and we need help getting it all in order. Data entry volunteers work on our computer stations and enter in information from waivers and forms.
Volunteer Department Support
This position helps out around the Volunteer Department doing general tasks and assisting wherever needed. Some examples of projects include placing labels on mailing envelopes, taking inventory of our nail aprons or taking pictures of our construction volunteers out on the job site.
Provide a lunch
Habitat Kent is unfortunately unable to provide food for our volunteers so it is a real treat when someone brings lunch to a job site. Whether it is a home cooked feast or a simple sandwich, everyone is grateful for the meal. This also helps our volunteers interact with one another, contributing to a friendly and hospitable atmosphere.
Site Host
A site host meets individuals or groups of volunteers out on the construction job site to welcome them and help get their morning started. Sometimes there are more job sites than there are Volunteer Department staff members so a site host fills the gap and helps us ensure that all volunteers have a positive experience.
Make snacks
The simple gesture of bringing a snack to the job site can make someone’s day. This opportunity allows you to prepare a snack on your own schedule then deliver it in person, allowing for interaction among Habitat volunteers and a sense of community.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
We have many ways for you to get involved. Though Habitat for Humanity is often solely associated with home building, we need volunteers in a range of areas both on the construction site and off.
Volunteer Job Descriptions
Construction volunteers are the backbone of Habitat. Without their help, we would not be able to sell our homes at affordable prices. General construction volunteers are out on the job site doing hands-on work. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the day begins at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesdays begin at 9:30, and the day ends at 4 p.m. Volunteers meet the site supervisor at the address of the build and sign in. They fill out a waiver and then receive a brief morning orientation and safety talk before getting to work. Tasks may include:
-
Deconstruction: using a sledge hammer to break through an old wall, prying out nails, removing insulation, gutting out the house and stripping it down to the framework; involves fairly heavy labor and is not recommended for those with breathing issues
-
Reframing: adding support to the existing framework of the structure, rebuilding trusses, correcting uneven floors or roofs, creating new walls and barriers; moderate labor intensity
-
Siding: light labor that consists of cutting pieces of siding to size and nailing them in place; may involve moderate height when working on scaffolding
-
Painting: usually light work where paint is applied to interior surfaces
-
Trim carpentry: pieces of wooden decorative boards are cut to size and nailed along doorways, windows and the floor. Also includes installation of cabinets, counter tops, sinks, vanities, shelving and hardware; moderate intensity
-
Landscaping: digging holes, planting flowers or bushes, raking woodchips into place, shoveling dirt or stones; intensity and tasks vary with the size of the lot
-
Laminate flooring: installing floorboards by fitting laminated pieces together and hammering into place; moderate intensity
-
Final details: filling nail holes, doing touch-up painting, adjusting light fixtures, etc.; intensity varies with tasks
-
Punch list: completing many small tasks that would prevent the home from being approved by the inspector; intensity varies with tasks
Carpenter’s Club
Some construction volunteers commit to serving on a regular basis, thereby joining our Carpenter’s Club. We rely on their skill and expertise as our foundation of specialized labor; they also help show new volunteers the ropes.
ReStore General Volunteer
At our retail outlet the ReStore, volunteers are needed to stock display windows, rearrange shelves, inventory donated building materials, keep the store clean, run the cash register and perform other retail-related activities.
Assistant to the Facilities Manager
Our office facility and warehouse require a lot of time and effort. This volunteer position helps keep supplies tools clean and organized. Bringing building materials to various job sites in Big Red, our pickup, may also be necessary.
Painting trim/baseboards/handrails
If flexibility is critical for you, consider coming to our warehouse to paint for a minimum of three hours. The trim, baseboards and handrails are then installed directly into one of our homes to be viewed by the homebuyers for years and years.
Data Entry
With thousands of volunteers working with Habitat Kent each year, we compile huge amounts of information and we need help getting it all in order. Data entry volunteers work on our computer stations and enter in information from waivers and forms.
Volunteer Department Support
This position helps out around the Volunteer Department doing general tasks and assisting wherever needed. Some examples of projects include placing labels on mailing envelopes, taking inventory of our nail aprons or taking pictures of our construction volunteers out on the job site.
Provide a lunch
Habitat Kent is unfortunately unable to provide food for our volunteers so it is a real treat when someone brings lunch to a job site. Whether it is a home cooked feast or a simple sandwich, everyone is grateful for the meal. This also helps our volunteers interact with one another, contributing to a friendly and hospitable atmosphere.
Site Host
A site host meets individuals or groups of volunteers out on the construction job site to welcome them and help get their morning started. Sometimes there are more job sites than there are Volunteer Department staff members so a site host fills the gap and helps us ensure that all volunteers have a positive experience.
Make snacks
The simple gesture of bringing a snack to the job site can make someone’s day. This opportunity allows you to prepare a snack on your own schedule then deliver it in person, allowing for interaction among Habitat volunteers and a sense of community.
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