Create the change in your community

By the end of your volunteer experience, we hope you leave tired and inspired! 

Sign Up

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! The Habitat mission is only possible with generous volunteers and partners like you. 4,800+ individuals gave their time and talent in 2024 to provide 32 families with affordable homeownership. Join us in this important work!  Volunteerism is a crucial piece of our mission. No matter your skillset or level of expertise, we have a place for you. No experience is necessary! Just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to learn. We will guide you on everything you need to know.

Training: 

  • Habitat staff are trained in site-specific hazards, first-aid, CPR, and proper use of equipment and tools. 
  • Job-specific training for volunteers is provided on-site by a Habitat representative. 

Age Requirement for the Build Site: 

  • Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. To operate power tools and work on a ladder above 6 feet, volunteers must be at least 18 years old. 

Volunteer as an Individual

Individual Sign Up

To find our available and upcoming opportunities, sign up through the link below. All volunteers must review the volunteer build safety guidelines and volunteer release form once registration is complete.  

Volunteer with a Group

Group Sign Up

Check out this video to walk through the volunteer process and why group involvement is so important. After watching the video, please complete the form below so that we can help you find the best opportunity for your group. 

What to Expect

Build Day Schedule – A volunteer shift on the Habitat build site is roughly 6.5 hours. A typical timeline of the day looks like this:  

8:15 a.m.: You arrive to the build site and get checked in.   

 8:30 a.m.: Orientation, safety briefing and project assignment.    

 8:45 a.m.: Let’s build!   

 11:30 a.m.:  We’ll provide you lunch. A vegetarian option is included, but you are welcome to bring your own lunch with you. 

 12:00 p.m.: Suit up and let’s get back at it.   

 2:00 p.m.: Come together to plan out project clean-up.   

2:30 p.m.: Time to hang your hard hat or paint brush!  

Projects and wrap up are subject to change. Please arrive on time and stay for the entirety of your shift for the best experience. If you do need to leave early, please let the superintendent know before you go. 

 

Already signed up but need to cancel? 

Cancel Registration

Volunteer Build Site Guidelines

When to Go

Use the link in your confirmation email from “Habitat Volunteerism” to add your build date information to your calendar. You will also receive this information in a reminder email sent three days prior to your build day. If you need to cancel for whatever reason, we ask that you do so in advance.

Where To Go

The exact address of your build site should be in your confirmation and reminder emails you receive from “Habitat Volunteerism.” Please read your email carefully to see if there are specific parking instructions for your volunteer day. We want to be considerate of our neighbors!   

What To Wear

All volunteers MUST wear closed-toe shoes!  Please dress appropriately for the weather. The ground onsite can be very muddy & uneven, so we recommend wearing shoes that are both comfortable & that can get dirty. Be prepared to be either outside OR inside!

Weather Policy

 If the build site is deemed unsafe prior to the start of the volunteer day, individuals will receive notifications via email, text, or their group leader contact. The Construction Site Leader onsite reserves the right to wrap up the volunteer day early if the weather conditions become unsafe.  

What To Bring

Habitat provides all training, tools, and single-use PPE (like safety glasses, hard hats, ear protection, and gloves). Feel free to bring your favorite tool, but keep track of it—Habitat isn’t responsible for lost or stolen items. We’ll also provide water and lunch; if you have dietary restrictions, please plan ahead.

Parking

Each Habitat build site is unique. Volunteers should refer to their confirmation and reminder emails (from “Habitat Volunteerism”) for your build address and specific parking and arrival details. 

Group Volunteer Process

Additional Safety Guidelines

General safety guidelines
  • A Habitat site manager or designated representative will always be on-site. 
  • First-aid kits are maintained and are available on each site. 
  • If unsafe situations arise, please notify the lead site manager immediately. 
  • All accidents MUST be reported to the lead site manager. 
Personal protective equipment
  • Habitat staff or a designated representative will provide information about proper use of PPE. 
  • Habitat staff and build-site participants must wear PPE on-site. 
  • Safety glasses are required when power tools are in use on-site. 
  • Hard hats are required when overhead work is being performed. 
  • Gloves are required when using knives or handling particular materials. 
Ladders
  • Volunteers will be trained in ladder usage by a site leader. 
  • Equipment and firm footing placement will be inspected by a site leader. 
  • Complete guardrail and wallboard systems will be used to provide safe work surfaces. 
Fall protection
  • Participants are expected to follow Habitat’s Fall Protection Plan when working above six feet. 
  • Volunteers are to follow Habitat’s Safe Practices while using extension ladders. 
  • Instructions will be provided on how to use Habitat’s 3 Point Contact System. 
  • Toe Boards will be used during single story roof construction. (Ex. trusses, roofing and decking.) 

For more information, contact 317.921.2121 or volunteer@indyhabitat.org.