IMPORTANT: We will be working at two sites this summer starting July 24th. Please call 462-2993 (ask for Hannah) the day before you plan to volunteer to find out where we will be working. Thank you!!

Volunteer Info:

Our work is possible through the endless support and assistance from our amazing volunteers!   There are so many ways to volunteer, whether it is building on site, working in our office, helping out at our ReStore or participating in special events.  Get involved!

VOLUNTEERING ON THE HABITAT CONSRUCTION SITE

Habitat homes are built entirely with volunteer labor.  Donations of money and materials also support construction.  We invite you to experience the joy and fun or working with our low-income neighbors on their quest for the dream of affordable homeownership.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

1)  Fill out the volunteer form so we can learn more about you. Submission of the form provides us the means to communicate electronically. You will recieve a reply usually within 48 hours.

IF YOU NEED COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS FOR COURT OR SCHOOL use the "comments" field to indicate this. You will then receive the appropriate information and material to keep track of your hours. If you wait until you are on site,  you will not have the material you need. The sign-in sheet is used for our office records only and will not be proof of hours worked. You must ask for our community service sheet before you go on site. Thank you!!

2)  Choose the date(s) you wish to volunteer. As our Events Calendar will show, we schedule our groups Thursday through Saturdays with a maximum of 15 people per day. If a day is blank, it is open for scheduling! Tuesdays and Wednesdays are reserved for individual volunteers only.

AS AN INDIVIDUAL you may come any day, Tuesday through Saturday. You do not need to schedule a date with us - however you should contact the offices first to receive our build safety information, volunteer waiver, and to find out where we will be building the day you choose to come.

3)  IF YOU ARE A GROUP call the Habitat office to schedule the date(s) you have picked:(518) 462-2993 or email Hannah at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . All groups are encouraged to make a $500 donation to CDHfH on the date of their build to help cover the costs of the materals they use that day.

ON YOUR VOLUNTEER DAY:

• Tools will be provided for you, but bring your own tool belt and tools if you wish.
• If you have work gloves bring them with you.  We do not currently supply them.
• You will probably get dirty.
• Dress appropriately for the weather (your project could be inside or outside)
• Lunch Break- 1:00 to 1:30 —you can bring a brown bag lunch or go out to eat.
• Bring bottled water.
• If you have construction experience, you can volunteer to be a crew leader for the day.
  

• Individuals and groups can participate
• Skilled and unskilled workers are welcome—volunteers are trained and supervised by our staff
• Volunteers must be 16 years of age and older
• We are unable to inform you in advance about what specific project you will be working on
• Many groups fundraise to underwrite the materials they use before they volunteer (not required)

VOLUNTEER AT THE RESTORE

Our ReStore is open Fridays and Saturdays at 454 No. Pearl St. Albany.  We sell new and gently used building and home decorating materials as a way to raise funds for the operation of Capital District Habitat for Humanity.  There is always a need for help operating the store, soliciting and collecting donations, and marketing. Contact Emily Collins, our ReStore manager, for more information about volunteering at the ReStore. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

SPECIAL EVENTS 2010:

Build-A-Thon:  Volunteers' hours will be sponsored by friends and family while they participate in this event. See the Build-a-thon page for more details.

Tent-A-Thon:  Volunteers will be needed in shifts for this camping/tent event which will run in August.

Tour de Habitat:  Volunteers will needed to assist with this cycling event which will take place in September.

If you are interested in signing up for any of these events fill out our volunteer form above or email us at  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

VOLUNTEERING IN OUR OFFICE:

We currently have no office volunteer positions at this time! Please check back monthly for updates. 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY COMMITTEES

With so much to do, the Habitat staff can only perform its duties to the extent that there are teams of volunteers supporting the operations.  Our committees are generally staffed by a Board member and made up of volunteers who are willing to roll up their sleeves and accomplish tasks that are vital to Habitat’s continued success.  Committees usually meet monthly for 1-2 hours and routinely require additional work either from the office or from home, for an average of 5-10 hours per month.  Read the following descriptions to see which committee you are interested in!

Family Selection (Chair, Paul Richer)
This team is primarily responsible for recruitment and selection of qualified Habitat homeowner families.  The tasks include preparing and conducting orientation sessions to explain homeownership, review of all applications, planning home visits to determine family capabilities, strengths, weaknesses and needs; facilitation of credit investigations; preparation of reports to the Board of Directors and; selection/recommendation to the Board of qualified families and subsequent management of the list/pool of qualified families.

Family Partnership (Chair, Aaron Opalka)
This team partners with the family after they have been selected to be Habitat homeowners.  The tasks include offering orientation to the homeowner families, assuring that all documents are in order and facilitating all equity responsibilities.  After the homeowner moves into their new home, the committee continues to partner with them and serve as a liaison between the Habitat homeowner and the Habitat staff.  The Family Partnership committee partners with our homeowners to ensure a smooth homeownership process.

Development (Chair, Carol Asiello)
Assumes the leadership for implementing the public relations and fundraising policies and goals of the board of directors. They develop church, individual, corporate, and civic sponsorship; carry on direct mailing campaigns; recommend fundraising ideas to the board; and publicize fundraising and other events.

Volunteer (Chair, Christine Hmiel)
This team connects our Habitat staff and Board of Directors with amazing volunteers like you!  Tasks include planning and coordinating volunteer opportunities and events, recruiting volunteers for projects, communicating with volunteers through email and phone and helping volunteers to get involved in the many areas of Habitat’s work.  The committee also acknowledges and celebrates our vibrant volunteer community that works so tirelessly to provide decent and affordable homes to our neighbors in the Capital District.

Site Acquisition (Chair, Al DeSalvo)
Responsible for the identification of property to be acquired and advise board on the purchase/sale of buildable and unbuildable lots.

Finance (Chair, Ralph Spiller)
Building 8-10 houses per year requires very careful attention to the details of managing a large budget.  This committee oversees that budget, including all disbursements and income.  Each member, including the treasurer of the affiliate, is committed to working regularly to keep records up-to-date and to keeping the board informed regarding the financial status of the affiliate

Legal (Chair, Polly Feigenbaum)
Provides attorney assistance to homeowners at closing and consultation to the Board as needed. Attorneys welcome.

Ad Hoc Committees

Build Commitee (Chair, Mike Hurtt)

ReStore Commitee (Chair, Emily Collins)

CLICK HERE TO TELL US WHAT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR!