Volunteers are the Heart of our Organization

Commitment to Community

Volunteers are a vital part of the Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity mission. We encourage the involvement of volunteers in all aspects of our work. Volunteers act in partnership with staff to achieve our mission: a world where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing. Volunteers and partners are the cornerstone of our efforts and make our organization unique.

Volunteer Opportunities

We welcome individuals, corporations, community groups, faith congregations, and many more to join us in creating affordable homeownership opportunities for local families. From building new homes and weatherizing existing ones to helping at the ReStore and working behind the scenes on our committees, there are many ways to volunteer. No prior experience is necessary; we’ll show you what to do!

Ready to volunteer with Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity? You can reach out directly to our volunteer coordinator via email at volunteercoordinator@chipolahabitat.org or telephone at (850) 482-2187 ext.103. You can also sign up for volunteer events via our Volunteer Hub portal.

Click to Sign Up Now!

Individual Volunteer Opportunities

No matter where you are in life or how much time you have available for volunteering, Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity has an opportunity for you!

General Construction

Construction volunteers are involved with many aspects of building a Habitat home. At the build site, you might be engaged in tasks such as framing, roofing, hanging drywall, installing siding, doing finish work, or even landscaping.

We don’t ask our volunteers to bring anything except a great attitude and a willingness to be flexible. Chipola Area Habitat’s construction team will provide the training and tools needed to make a difference that you’ll see and feel at the end of the day.

Neighborhood, school and church groups of up to 12 volunteers are also welcome. No construction experience necessary! Register first and then sign up for a shift here.

Construction Volunteer Form

Safety First!

We ask that all volunteers take a few moments to review the following safety video.

Before your scheduled volunteer day, we encourage you to take the free, online safety training offered to all Habitat for Humanity volunteers. You can access this training by visiting https://hfhaffiliateinsurance.com/volunteers/.

Rules to Build By:

Time Commitment

Arrive on time. The typical construction day begins with volunteer registration at 7:30 am. It’s important to arrive on time so that you do not miss sign-in, safety instruction, and work assignments. The service day begins at 8 am.
Commit to helping for the full build day. On half days, work winds down and cleanup is done by noon. For full days, we take lunch from 12 to 12:30 and then it’s back to work until 3:30, with cleanup finishing at 4 pm.
Volunteers are asked to bring their own lunch or pick up food during the scheduled lunch break. If volunteers are with a group, they should check with their team leader to see if lunch is being catered.
All volunteers are needed to help clean up at the end of the workday.

Age Restrictions

Volunteers must be 16+ years to work on an active build site; volunteers under the age of 16 are only allowed on the worksite when the construction phase does not require the use of power tools. All volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a Release and Waiver of Liability.
Volunteers must be 18+ years to use power tools.

Tools and Materials

All tools and supplies are provided at the work-site.
Volunteers may bring their own tools as long as they are clearly marked with a name and phone number. Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity is not responsible for damaged or lost items. Volunteers are not permitted to bring power tools to the work-site.

Parking and Automobiles

On build days, we ask that volunteers avoid parking directly in front of the service site, as material trucks may need to pull in.
Please use the good neighbor policy and do not park in front of anyone’s driveway or mailbox.
Volunteers should not leave anything of value in their vehicle. Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity is not responsible for stolen items or damage to vehicles.

Dress for the Weather

Closed-toe tennis shoes or boots are required.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Sturdy pants such as jeans are best. Avoid skirts or leggings.
Wear work gloves, safety glasses, and hard hats. Chipola Habitat will provide them.
Remember that Chipola Habitat builds rain or shine and workdays are not typically canceled in advance due to adverse weather unless conditions are expected to persist or become dangerous.
Light colored, cotton clothing and a hat are recommended for the summer
Layered clothing is recommended for the winter.
Sunscreen is always a good idea.
Jewelry is discouraged as it can get damaged or lost very easily

Please do not bring: purses, pets or children to a work site.

Volunteer at the ReStore

Not all Habitat for Humanity volunteer opportunities involve swinging a hammer! Many of our volunteers spend their time helping at one of our Habitat ReStores. At our ReStores, we accept and sell to the public new and used building materials, tools, appliances, and home improvement supplies.

Proceeds from the ReStore help fund Chipola Area Habitat’s mission. This means volunteers are vital to ensure the ReStore remains a sustainable source of funding, allowing us to continue to serve more families in our community.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR RESTORES

Available ReStore Positions

Appliance Testing and Repair
Cash register
Receiving
Sales Floor

Sign Up to Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering at the ReStore please contact our volunteer coordinator, at 850-482-2187 or via email to volunteercoordinator@chipolahabitat.org.

Community Service and Bright Futures Volunteer Hours

Volunteers seeking Bright Futures volunteer hours or Court Ordered Community Service hours are required to schedule an interview before beginning their volunteer service. Hours will be reported and a letter can be provided upon request at the completion of the volunteer hours. Contact Brenda to set up your interview: 850-482-2187 or via email to officeassistant@chipolahabitat.org.

Waivers

All volunteers must complete an annual Volunteer Waiver of Liability. Minors ages 16-17 must bring a completed waiver signed by a parent/guardian prior to volunteering.

Waiver of Liability

Global Village Trips

At Home and Around the World

Habitat may work around the corner from you, but we also work around the world. Through Habitat’s Global Village trips, you can volunteer abroad with us in nearly 30 nations. Our volunteer trips offer more than just the opportunity to swing a hammer. When you travel and volunteer with Global Village, you’ll experience the country like a local, with the locals. Meet people from around the world with all different kinds of backgrounds, races and religions. Spending time with other cultures doesn’t mean just exploring the differences, but also discovering the commonalities. You’ll find that you don’t even need to speak the language.

Sign up to find out about future Global Village events!

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Administrative Office Volunteer Opportunities

Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity offices can always use assistance with tasks such as

Answering the phone
Assembling packets
Filing
Research
General computer tasks

If you have the skills and the time, we’d love to have you volunteer with us!

Committee Volunteer Opportunities

The volunteers who serve on our committees are integral to refining the process we follow, from ReStore operations to homeowner selection. They review the organization’s current policies and procedures, conducting systems analysis and suggesting improvements that increase capacity through improved efficiency.

Americorps Volunteering

Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members serve directly with Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity to increase capacity, working in partnership with families to help them apply for housing, helping the organization recruit and mobilize volunteers, and even helping build or renovate houses.

This hands-on experience provides an opportunity to develop new skills and gain confidence while serving a critical role. Best of all, you can get paid to serve!

Learn more by visiting https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/long-term-opportunities/americorps

Volunteers are the Heart of our Organization