Habitat for Humanity East Bay

Frequently Asked Questions

I've never volunteered with Habitat for Humanity East Bay. How can I learn more about the organization?
Attend an orientation and house tour every first Saturday of each month from 10:00am to noon at a current construction development. We recommend attending a volunteer orientation before your first volunteer day, although it is not mandatory.

How do I sign up to volunteer?
Because it's important to us that all our volunteers have a productive and rewarding experience, we only recruit the number of volunteers that we can safely and effectively supervise on each day. For that reason, volunteers must schedule their build days in advance. Individual volunteers may sign up for build days through our online reservation system at http://eastbay.volunteerhub.com. Interested in coordinating a group activity? Email us at Volunteer@HabitatEB.org.

Where are the current East Bay construction sites located?
Habitat East Bay serves Alameda and Contra Costa County, and our construction sites are located throughout the East Bay. In Oakland, we are currently building our 54-home Edes Avenue development and our 22-home Kinsell Commons development. Our nine-home El Rincon development in Bay Point is anticipated to begin August 2010. Through our Neighborhood Stabilization Program, our foreclosure recovery initiative, we are currently rehabilitating existing homes in Bay Point, Antioch, and Hayward. You will receive the address and directions to the construction site in the confirmation email you receive upon signing up. Information about our current developments can be found at www.HabitatEB.org/homes.

Are there other construction locations throughout the Bay Area?
Three Habitat affiliates serve the Bay Area. Habitat East Bay serves Alameda and Contra Costa counties, Habitat Silicon Valley serves Santa Clara county, and Habitat Greater San Francisco serves San Francisco, Marin, and the Peninsula. Although we collaborate closely and share the Habitat mission, we are independent organizations and our volunteer programs may differ. Visit http://HabitatBayArea.org for contact information for our neighboring affiliates.

I've heard that Habitat builds all over the world. How do I volunteer with Habitat abroad?
Habitat for Humanity hosts volunteer opportunities abroad through its Global Village program. Habitat East Bay hosts several trips to El Salvador each year through the Global Village program, and we invite you to join our next build team. Email Jen at JGolike@HabitatEB.org for more information.

On what days, and at what times, are the construction sites open?
The various construction sites are open different days of the week. Currently, we have construction volunteer opportunities Tuesdays through Saturdays. The build day is 8:30am until 4pm, and we ask volunteers to commit a full work day. It is important to arrive on time so that you do not miss sign-in, safety instruction, and crew assignments.

What kinds of construction work will we do?
All sorts of work takes place on a Habitat construction site. Please be prepared to assist in whatever the day's tasks may be and remember that every job helps to build homes. Tasks may include preparing foundations; framing walls with lumber; installing roofing, windows, doors, and exterior siding; painting interior walls and exterior siding; installing interior trim, hardware, fixtures, cabinets, and countertops; and cleaning and organizing the construction sites. If you have special skills - don't be shy! - let construction staff know upon your arrival in case you can be of unique assistance. While tasks often include using power tools or working at heights, volunteers will not be expected to do any task that make them uncomfortable.

What if I've never done any construction before?
All skill levels are welcome. We assume no skills or prior construction experience, and the construction staff will provide plenty of instruction and supervision throughout the day.

How old do I have to be to volunteer?
For safety and insurance reasons, volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Volunteers under the age of 18 must bring a minor waiver form, signed by a parent, with them to the construction site on their scheduled build day. Minor volunteers may not operate power tools or work at heights above six feet.

What do I do if it's raining?
For safety reasons, we may close the construction sites in the event of heavy rain. Call the rain line the morning of your volunteer day at (510) 251-6304 ext. 317 after 7am to learn if the site will be open. If the message makes no mention of rain, assume the site is open. If the site will be closed due to rain, the message will say so. No need to leave a message on this voicemail. Because we do work through light rain, please bring a rain jacket with you on drizzly days.

Should I bring a lunch?
Please bring a bag lunch with you. We break for lunch at noon each day and typically eat for 30 to 45 minutes before getting back to work. We have picnic tables on the construction sites as well as a hand-washing station. We provide jugs of tap water; please bring a refillable water bottle to help us reduce waste from paper cups. We recycle and compost on our construction sites. If you are coordinating a group build, you are welcome to cater lunch for your team. Many local restaurants deliver to our construction sites.

Should I bring tools?
Habitat provides hand tools, power tools, and safety equipment for your use. You may bring your own tools if you like, but be sure to label them well with your name. We cannot be responsible for misplaced or broken tools.

What should I wear?
Wear closed-toed shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty, painted, or ruined. Many volunteers wear sneakers, shorts or jeans, and an old t-shirt and sweatshirt. Layer for the weather, and bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to stay protected from the sun. Bring rain gear during the winter, as we will work through light rain.

What if I need community service hours for court?
We accommodate volunteers with court-ordered service at our ReStore only, and not at our construction sites. Volunteers must notify us that their volunteerism is court-ordered prior to their volunteerism. The opportunity to serve all required hours with Habitat East Bay is not guaranteed. If you will need a verification letter, please request a letter for your total hours after your last volunteer day is complete, and allow two weeks from your request to receive your letter in the mail. We cannot guarantee that we can provide your letter earlier, so please plan accordingly. Keep in mind that many courts will not accept our letter of verification, and instead provide their own documentation for you to use. If that is the case, you must bring your documentation each day to the ReStore, and request that your supervisor sign the document at the end of each ReStore day. Contact Adrionna Fike, ReStore Coordinator, at 510-777-1447 or AFike@HabitatEB.org for further information.

What if I need verification for my service hours for school?
We are happy to provide a signed letter on our letterhead documenting your volunteer hours. Please request a letter for your total hours, after your last volunteer day is complete, by emailing Volunteer@HabitatEB.org. Allow two weeks from your request to receive your letter in the mail. We cannot guarantee that we can provide your letter earlier, so please plan accordingly.

Construction is not my thing. Are there other volunteer opportunities, besides building on the construction sites?
You bet! We have volunteer opportunities on our commitees, in the office, at the ReStore and at special events. Volunteers help select and support our partner families, perform outreach in the community, research and expand our Green Building program, assist with office operations, and more. For non-construction volunteer opportunities, visit www.HabitatEB.org/nonconstruction.