Construction Volunteers 

Thank you for interest in providing labor on a Habitat project.*  You are literally helping to build a better tomorrow for a family in need.  We welcome volunteers of every skill level and what you don't know, we'll teach you. Volunteers are required to take a safety orientation class prior to working on the job site.  Orientation classes are offered a 8:00 am every Saturday morning at the Habitat warehouse, 144 North 19th Street in Lincoln. Skills training classes are also sometimes offered.  Skills training may be at the warehouse or on-the-job (hands-on at current work site).  Check with our office for times skills training may be offered. We are presently working on a variety of construction projects. Currently, we work each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Construction work is on-going all year long but all working days are weather permitting. View our current build schedule here, or call (402) 477-9184.

Groups
If volunteering as a group, groups of ten or less are best. If needed, divide your group into morning and afternoon work groups or separate days. It is best to set one or two alternate dates for your group sign-up.

Weather and Construction Delays
Habitat will not be able guarantee work on a scheduled day. Our work crews are often delayed because of inspections, weather conditions or other contractors. It is important to stay in touch with the Habitat office the week of your scheduled project and have a means of letting your group know if work has been cancelled or moved to the warehouse.  Volunteers should check the project blog and call the Habitat office at 402-477-9184  the evening before for the recorded message about the status of the next day's build.

At The Job Site
Please arrive at 8:30 a.m. and sign in on the site log. We usually work until 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, or until weather and materials permit. 

- Volunteers are required to take a safety class prior to working on the job site and
   sign a Waiver of Liability Form.  
- Volunteers need to report to the site supervisor after they sign in. The supervisor can assign tasks or pair you
    with someone for training. 
-  Prepare for exposure to the weather. Have sun protection and dress appropriately. 
-  Wear clothes that can get dirty and stained. 
-  Wear shoes or boots with thick soles. 
-  Lunch or a snack will be provided. 
-  Please bring your own drinking water. Restroom facilities are provided on sites.

What To Bring (if you have them)
-  Work gloves
-  Hammer
-  Tool belt /apron
-  Tape measure
-  Pencil

Please Do Not Bring
- Children 15 years old and younger
-  Pets
-  Glass containers

What Will You Take Home?
-  New construction skills
-  A strong sense of community
-  Pride in a job well done
-  New friends
-  Hope for the future of our families

Food Providers

If you'd like to help at the construction site, but are unable to provide labor, we also need volunteers to provide a simple lunch for construction volunteers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You can provide once a month, once a quarter, only during the summer or whatever works for your schedule.  Our hungry construction workers are very appreciative of whatever is provided.  Your donation of the cost of food will be acknowledged as a gift to the Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity. To schedule a day, call (402) 477-9184, or email us.  View our current build schedule.

What To Expect
- On weekdays, you will generally feed a volunteer crew of 8 -12; on weekends, 20-25
-  Food providers deliver lunches to the job site unless other arrangements have been made (some build crews work in the warehouse, especially on rainy days)
-  Sometimes work days are cancelled due to weather or other delays or moved to the warehouse. Check with our office to verify the number of volunteers to feed and the lunch site location the day before the build.  
-  Lunch should be at the appropriate site (construction site or warehouse) no later than 11:30 a.m.

What to Bring
-  Main course (sandwiches, casseroles, soup, pizza, etc.)
-  Side item (chips, carrots, fruit, salad)
-  Beverage (bottled water, tea, lemonade, or soda)
-  Paper and plastic items needed to serve the lunch (plates, napkins, flatware)
Note: Our volunteers are grateful for any type food contribution. However there is rarely an electrical source for plug-ins (for crockpots and the like) at the construction site to keep hot foods hot. 

Alternatives
Some providers purchase food from a local restaurant and have it delivered to the job site.

 
Job Site Hosts

If you'd like to help at the job site, but swinging a hammer is not for you, you can still provide assistance. Job site hosts are an important element in providing a positive experience for our job site volunteers.

 

What You Will Do

• Check our answering machine message about job site information the night before you are scheduled to host by calling (402) 477-9184, or visiting our Project Blog. Sometimes work days are cancelled due to weather or other delays.
• On your assigned days , you will:
  • Arrive at the job site at 8 a.m. and meet with the site supervisor
  • Welcome construction volunteers, sign them in, and refer them to the site supervisor
  • Welcome food providers, sign them in, and help them set up food in the lunch area 
  • Answer questions for visitors
  • Relay messages to volunteers

We can email you the sign up sheets or you can pick them up at the Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity office, located at 144 North 19th Street.  Our office is open, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m - 4 p.m.  Please call (402) 477-9184 before you come in.  View a list of our current build projects.