"You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it. Everybody was out there on a Saturday working and cars were parked all the way down the street. They weren't coming out to get paid or anything, they were coming out to assist us - my family," a Habitat Wake Homeowner.



Volunteer

Habitat Wake volunteers give their time supporting all areas of the organization from the very visible construction and deconstruction projects to visiting prospective homeowners to producing fundraising events. They develop varied skills from home repair to customer service. Habitat Wake volunteer opportunities:

Please click on these links to sign up to volunteer as an individual or as a group.

Global Village: Two local Habitat Wake volunteers, John and Madeline, are leading a trip to Thailand February 21 - March 7, 2009. Read about how you can join their Global Village team and improve the living conditions of people in a rural area where urban centers has put a strain on the availability of affordable land plots.

Build Homes

Volunteering on the work site is a fun, hands-on opportunity for individuals and groups to construct Habitat homes alongside future Habitat homeowners. No experience is required! Construction volunteers do all carpentry, roofing, siding, interior trim, painting, and landscaping. All tasks are supervised on construction sites, and Habitat provides basic tools such as work gloves, a hammer, a tape measure, a tool belt or nail apron, and pencil. New volunteers receive coaching from more experienced volunteers and from staff. On any given Thursday, Friday or Saturday, you may be learn how to:

Reclaim Materials from Homes Being Remodeled

An alternative to the precision required for homebuilding is taking a crowbar to harvest usable materials from homes being demolished. Habitat Wake's staff and DeCon volunteers salvage cabinets, flooring, windows, doors, lighting and plumbing fixtures-everything that can be removed-by hand. Again, Habitat Wake provides the necessary tools. You just provide the elbow grease.

Pictured is a crew from The Redwoods Group.

Youth Programs

For safety, youth under 16 are not allowed on construction or deconstruction site. However, there are plenty of fun programs -- both indoors and outdoors -- tailored for youth that are great ways to get your kids and their friends involved at Habitat.

Pictured here is a youth in a hammering contest at a past volunteer appreciation picnic.

Office Support

General Office Assistant, any weekday 9am - 5pm. Come in all day or stay for a few hours. Duties may include:

Please complete the General Volunteer Interest Form.

Volunteer at the ReStore

At the ReStore, Habitat Wake's well-known retail store, volunteers direct customers to find inventory, load/unload materials at receiving docks and stock materials on the store floor. All these tasks are vital steps in propelling sales, which helps Habitat Wake build homes for more families in Wake County. Come for a few hours or stay the whole day anytime Tuesday - Saturday during store hours!

More information about volunteer opportunities at the ReStore.

Volunteer on a Family Services Committee

Family Selection Committee
Volunteers are needed to help with the homeowner selection process. Members of the Family Selection Committee help Habitat staff evaluate applicants' financial information and need for housing. These volunteers also visit applicants in their current housing. The time commitment includes one monthly meeting at Habitat Wake and one home visit per month. Understanding financial information (i.e. bank statements, taxes, credit reports, budgets) is required, but can be obtained through training and shadowing others. Minorities and males are encouraged to volunteer. Please call Leslie Gernon, Director, Family Services, at (919) 833-1999 x237, if you're interested in serving on the Family Selection Committee.

Family Support Committee
Volunteers on this committee support educational programs and special events offered to future and existing Habitat homeowners. These efforts help new homeowners develop life skills and connect with community resources. (One such event was our Community Carnival: Connecting People with Resources event in May 2008.)

To join either committee, please complete the General Volunteer Interest Form.

Volunteer at an Event

Special events volunteers assist with the planning and preparation for Habitat Wake's events. From decorations and set up to parking and logistics, volunteers help with many aspects to ensure attendees have a great time. Events where we could use extra hands include: the Blueprint Breakfast, the Habitat Holiday Home Tour, Volunteer Awards Banquet, dedications and groundbreakings.

If you're interested, please complete the General Volunteer Interest Form.

Join Our Speakers' Bureau

Speakers' Bureau members represent Habitat at civic club meetings, community functions, business expos, charitable fairs, and more! Habitat staff will provide training and handout materials. If you're interested, please complete the General Volunteer Interest Form.



Thanks

Habitat Wake connects those who have something to give with those who have needs. Many who give their time find it's a transforming gesture to empower families as their build and purchase their homes. Volunteers are often surprised to discover that, in volunteering, one can do as much good for oneself as for a neighbor in need.

Habitat Wake appreciates volunteers and invites you to discover your talents as a Habitat volunteer.