Become a Volunteer

Introduction

Volunteers come from all walks of life and backgrounds with a variety of interests and talents. Probably the most popular image of a Habitat volunteer is that of a hard-hat wearing, hammer-wielding volunteer. Indeed, these volunteers are extremely important to Habitat's work but there are also many other ways to get involved.
If you have some time to spare and you would like to make a difference in your community and the lives of those who need help, please consider getting involved with Habitat for Humanity Riverside and its mission to reduce sub-standard housing in our communities. Habitat for Humanity volunteers are distinguished by having that special warmth of charity of the heart. You can be assured, that feeling you get by “giving back to society” will last a lifetime.

How do I become a Volunteer?

To become a Habitat volunteer, please register on-line via our “Volunteer Up” database system. When you log in and register as a new volunteer, you will be provided a profile page where you can let us know what your interests are, any special talents or skills you may have and your availability. Once you’re registered, you'll have access to the Volunteer Up Project Calendar. We'll also be able to contact you whenever we have specific volunteer opportunities available. If you need further assistance regarding volunteering, please email info@habitatriverside.org or call (951)787-6754 ext. 112.

Corporate Opportunities

Please consider Habitat for Humanity Riverside for your next community service project event at your place of business. We have many opportunities for corporations and local businesses to get involved. Your company team can work on and make contributions to the construction of decent, affordable housing in our communities. We offer company volunteer days reserved solely for your company team, publicity photos, and community recognition. Please contact Karin Roberts at kroberts@habitatriverside.org or call (951)-787-6754 ext. 115 for more information.

More Opportunities to Help

Throughout the year we have various needs for volunteers both inside and outside the office. Building homes is our main focus but there are other volunteer opportunities available as well. These needs can include bulk mailings, office help, serving lunches at a build site, fund-raising events and staffing information tables at various functions. You can indicate you interest for these opportunities on your Volunteer Up profile.

Group volunteering

We welcome faith organizations and service clubs to get involved with Habitat. For more information and to get your group registered, please contact us at info@habitatriverside.org or call (951)787-6754 ext. 112.

Youth Involvement

Younger volunteers ages 16 and 17 are welcome to build with us and are asked to bring a liability waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. We require the young volunteer to be accompanied by an adult 25 years of age or older. For liability reasons youth under the age of 16 are not allowed on our construction sites while work is going on. We do, however, have opportunities for the youth to serve lunch to the volunteers at the construction site while work is stopped. We also offer a tour of the build site to educate the youth on “green building” as a thank you. For more information, please contact us at info@habitatriverside.org or call (951)787-6754 ext. 112.

Volunteer general information - Construction

Some portions of our build projects are staffed by local contractors so our greatest need is for the “ooccasional” volunteer. These are people in the community who are willing to show up at a build site on their day off and help build a home. It can also be a person who has been a long-time volunteer who helps out at a moment's notice. We rely and appreciate these perfect examples of the "salt of the earth" volunteers who hammer, haul, scrub and paint our plans into reality. There’s a variety of volunteer opportunities available on a new Habitat home build site. Starting from the beginning, through to completion of a home.

Below are some of the jobs our volunteers do.

• Assembling the framing and raising the outer walls. This job includes using a hammer, nailing the various pieces of cut lumber together and lifting the framed walls into place on the foundation.

• Loading lumber. Volunteers assist the roofing specialists by moving, arranging and handing off the materials to the workers on the roof.

• Prime painting lumber. Sealing the various pieces of lumber with primer paint. This includes the eaves or trim around the roof.

• Installing Windows. The volunteers help the professionals with the installation of all the windows on the home.

• Wire & Wrapping (lath & papering). Volunteers assist the professionals with nailing and wiring the outer walls in preparation for the paper. Work would also include nailing the paper and the wire around the exterior of the entire house.

• Scratch coat the exterior walls. Assist the professionals in applying plaster to the exterior of the home.

• Interior & Exterior Painting. Volunteers paint the interior and exterior of the home. The interior includes walls, door casings and baseboards. The exterior would be any wood trimming around the house, including the eaves.

• Hardware Installation. The volunteers can install doorknobs and bathroom towel racks, etc.

• Fencing Installation. Assist the professionals with the installation of fencing around the parameter of the house.

• Landscaping. Volunteers help with the layout and planting of landscape around the home.

• Site Clean Up. Volunteers sweep and clean up the interior and exterior of the home. Interior clean up at the end of the build would include all windows, countertops and bathrooms. Also clean up of the build site. This can include picking up waste building materials and putting all trash in the trash bin.