Interested in volunteering on a build site with Greater Indy Habitat? You can find available opportunities on our volunteer website by clicking below.
Already signed up or want to know more? Check out this page to see what to expect for your volunteer experience!
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! The ground onsite can be very muddy & uneven, even when it’s not raining, so we recommend wearing shoes that are both comfortable & that can get dirty. Be prepared to be either outside OR inside by dressing in layers!
Weather Policy – We build rain or shine as long as we can do so safely, so please arrive on site in appropriate attire for whatever the Indiana weather might bring! 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 – All training, tools, & single-use PPE (personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats, ear protection, and gloves) are provided by Habitat! If you choose to bring your favorite hammer, make sure you keep an eye on it! Habitat isn’t responsible for lost or stolen tools. We’ll also provide water & lunch. If you have dietary restrictions, please plan accordingly.
Want To Share – We love seeing your photos and hearing about your volunteer experience! Be sure to tag @IndyHabitat and share any photos you took during your volunteer shift by emailing photo@indyhabitat.org. All volunteers will receive a link to share their thoughts and opinions about their volunteer experience in a follow-up email after their shift.
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.
Additional Safety Guidelines:
General Safety Guidelines
- A Habitat site superintendent or designated representative will be on-site at ALL TIMES.
- First-aid kits are maintained and are available on each site.
- If unsafe situations arise, please notify the lead superintendent immediately.
- All accidents MUST be reported to the lead superintendent.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- 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 & Scaffolding
- Volunteers will be trained in ladder and scaffolding usage by a lead superintendent.
- Equipment and firm footing placement will be inspected by a lead superintendent.
- Set-up of scaffolding will be supervised by a Habitat staff member or lead superintendent.
- Scaffolding will be level, plumb and strong.
- 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.
- Scaffolding is used during second story construction.
- Volunteers are to follow Habitat’s Safe Practices while using extension ladders.
- Instruction 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.)
