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Construction Crew
A Typical Habitat Build Day
Before You Leave Home:
Eat breakfast! Habitat does not provide morning food. Dress appropriately with clothes that are not baggy. Tie long hair back and remove jewelry. Hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are always advisable. Bring work gloves (or we can provide them) and wear sturdy shoes (no sandals). We have all the tools you will need, but if you want to bring your own hand tools you are welcome to do so, just be sure your name is on everything.
When you get to the site:
At the site, you can expect to meet great people, work side by side with the family who will be getting the house, and have fun making their dream come true. You will not be asked to do something that makes you uncomfortable, such as getting on a roof, or operating power tools. You do not need any special skills to be part of a Habitat building crew. However, as we provide training, we encourage you to work the full 8 - 4 workday.
8:00 am: Volunteers check in at the site, register, sign waivers, and get a name tag. They then are assigned to a house, introduced to the Job Captain and the Crew Leader who trains them in the skill required for the day and works along side them.
Noon: Lunch Break. Habitat provides the lunch on Saturdays only. After lunch---back to work.
3:30 pm: CLEAN-UP-put away tools, wash paint brushes etc.
4:00 pm: Work Day Ends.
Good Building Practices
Housekeeping is everyone's responsibility. Keep your area clean and orderly. Put away tools, materials, and equipment in their designated area when finished. Return all nails to containers. Take all nails out of scrap boards.
Lifting: Always lift heavy materials using safe lifting practices. "Safe" means using your legs, not your back - and get help when you need it.
What to Wear: Appropriate clothing; no baggy clothing, tie long hair back and remove jewelry. Hats and sunscreen are advisable year-round. Bring work gloves and wear sturdy shoes. We can provide hard hats if there is risk of objects falling from above. You are welcome to bring your own tools if you wish; be sure to label them! Some of habitat's best tools were "donated" by volunteers.
Lifting: Always lift heavy materials using safe lifting practices. "Safe" means using your legs, not your back - and get help when you need it.
Pay Attention: Remember that things may be going on above or below you.
Do not throw construction materials, tools, or yourself off roofs.
Take breaks for a drink of water every hour. Sit down if you feel tired.
Be aware of heights and when on a roof be sure you have secure footing and watch where you are going.
Report any injuries or accidents to a staff member. There is a first aid kit available.
No children under 16 at the work site, or even "hang around" the site. It can be a dangerous place. There is no safe place for day care on the site.
Financial Help: Send a check or money order to our office at the address above. Contributions are tax-deductible, and a receipt will be provided.
Have fun! And thanks for your help.
I can't wait to volunteer, how do I get started?
Summary of Guidelines for construction volunteers:
Thank you for coming out to build with us!
How to Register and Sign Up for Work!
- We need to know how many volunteers to expect on any given Wednesday or Saturday, your capabilities and experience, and how to contact you.
- Please register online at www.habitatventura.org.
- Click on the white VolunteerUP button on the right of your screen. You will be taken directly to a calendar showing active our worksite information.
- Click on login at the top left of the calendar.
- If you are new, click on I am a New Volunteer! and fill out all spaces. Be sure to write down/remember your user name and password for future use.
- If you have previously registered, click on I am a Registered Volunteer! and enter your user name and password.
- Click on the category and date you want to volunteer and Click "SignUp" to register.
Call our office right away at 805-485-6065 if you are having difficulties.
Once you become familiar with the VolunteerUP site, you will see how easy it is to sign up, see a summary of your volunteer commitments, and change them if necessary.
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Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, marital status, or because any portion of an applicant's income is derived from public assistance programs.
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