Build Site Opportunities
Help build a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Work alongside future homeowners and fellow volunteers to build safe, decent, affordable homes.
Build with DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat! Whether you have construction experience or have never swung a hammer, we will find a place for you on our construction site!
If you are completing community service to fulfill a legal requirement (probation, pre-trial, etc.), or need your hours verified, please reach out to the Volunteer Engagement Manager by calling 630-757-7523 or email mstokes@gohabitat.org. We will not verify any hours completed until after you have been approved.
Team build days are our main way of interacting with volunteers, but we also hold individual opportunities on our construction sites. Participating as a build site volunteer is a fun and educational way of helping hardworking families in our community achieve homeownership. Individual opportunities are available depending on construction needs (primarily November through March) and are not guaranteed to run on the same days week to week.
Do you have previous construction experience or have an interest in learning? Or maybe you enjoy teaching someone a new skill? If the answers are yes, you might be a good fit for our Volunteer Crew Leader program.
Volunteer Crew Leaders help create outstanding volunteer days, lead small groups in construction tasks, and ensure that our homes are built to Habitat standards. A typical day includes:
- Preparing tools and materials and facilitating morning check-in as volunteers arrive
- Orienting volunteers to the build site and Habitat mission
- Leading small groups of volunteers throughout assigned construction duties
- Using the “tell, show, do” model to teach volunteers the construction tasks at hand
- Overseeing volunteers as they complete assigned tasks to keep our build schedule on track and homes to a high standard
- Ensuring the safety of the group by teaching and enforcing proper equipment usage
- Managing clean-up and preparing for the next volunteer day
What we look for
- Willingness to learn and work with a diverse group of people
- Experience working as a member of a team
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Interest in construction (prior construction experience and group facilitation a plus)
- Ability to be on your feet for extended periods of time, often on rough and uneven terrain
- Ability to lift at least 50 lbs on a regular basis
- Ability to work on ladders and heights of up to two stories
- Ability to work in varying weather conditions (we build year- round)
- At least 21 years of age
Time commitment
- Crew Leader days run Wednesday through Saturday
- Crew Leaders are asked to volunteer at least once a month (more often is welcomed and appreciated)
- Crew Leaders are asked to commit to at least one year of service in the program
Required training
- Online Lockton Safety Course
- Safeguarding Training
- Multiple days shadowing a current Crew Leader on the build site
- Task courses as needed
Become a crew leader
Get started by contacting mstokes@gohabitat.org or (630) 757-7523.