• Volunteer Training 101

    South County Habitat for Humanity
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  • Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity is fun, fast-paced, and fulfilling. Let's get you best prepared for your volunteer experience with us!

  • We don't just believe in change. We build it!

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  • South County Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, community and hope.

  • Volunteers are building more than a home.

    Volunteers build a safe, secure, and stable future for and with members of their community.
  • We build strength, stability, and self reliance through shelter because when you empower families, an entire community can thrive.

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  • What gets you most excited about volunteering with South County Habitat for Humanity?

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  • Regardless of your reason(s) for joining us, we are thrilled to have you volunteering with us!

  • Hear from South County Habitat for Humanity volunteers to learn why they love volunteering with us!

  • We apologize for the background noise in some clips. We were filming on a construction site and in a busy ReStore after all!

  • Let’s learn more about how Habitat for Humanity works...

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  • The remainder of this training should take about five minutes

  • We invest in people and we empower people

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  • Our homeownership program provides an opportunity for families to move from substandard housing into homeownership with an affordable mortgage.

  • South County Habitat for Humanity builds and then sells homes to qualifying buyers who meet certain income and financial criteria

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  • Our homes are sold at a rate that does not exceed 30% of the partner family’s monthly income. Our program targets homebuyers that are hardworking but still unable to attain the high cost of living with a traditional mortgage.

  • To become a Habitat homebuyer, partner families must be:

    • In need of better housing
    • Able to pay an affordable mortgage
    • Willing to partner with Habitat and put in hundreds of hours of sweat equity, helping build their own home and other Habitat homes
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  • Volunteering with partner families

  • The hundreds of sweat equity hours that partner families share with Habitat for Humanity is primarily completed on our construction sites, but often supplemented with time in the ReStore and/or office too. That means, you will likely be working alongside future Habitat homebuyers while volunteering with us!

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  • Partner families are also matched with a homeowner advocate, participate in homebuyer education courses, and work on building their credit, savings and budgeting to be in the best financial situation.

  • Since 1990, South County Habitat for Humanity has served 118 families!

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  • All of our homes are built by construction volunteers, with the exception of areas needing licensed professionals (electrical work, plumbing, etc.)

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  • No construction skills are necessary to be a construction volunteer; we welcome you whether you have years of experience or have never swung a hammer. Our staff will provide all training, materials, safety equipment, and supervision during your build day.

  • To Review

  • Habitat for Humanity works with volunteers to build affordable homes, which are sold to partner families.

    Partner families must have a need, the ability to pay, and a willingness to partner with South County Habitat for Humanity. 

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  • ReStore: great stuff, great prices, for a great cause

  • What is the Habitat ReStore?

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  • The Habitat ReStore is our home improvement thrift store that sells new and gently used items that can be found in a home or used to make a home; items include appliances, building materials, furniture, and so much more.

    The Restore:

    • Reuses and recycles products that would otherwise end up in a landfill
    • Serves as an affordable resource for anyone in the community to shop
    • Provides funds for South County Habitat for Humanity’s local homebuilding mission
  • The ReStore model

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  • Volunteers, donors, and shoppers make our ReStore model possible.

    We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you!

  • ReStore: The store that helps build homes

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  • Shop, Donate, or Volunteer at the ReStore today.

    Our ReStore is located at 1555 Shannock Road, Charlestown, RI 02813.

    You may also request a free pickup of bulky items that you would like to donate.

  • What donations can our ReStore accept?

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  • Volunteering with the ReStore

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  • Volunteer opportunities are available at ReStore either behind-the-scenes or working directly with ReStore customers as volunteer cashiers.

  • As you can tell, volunteers are the backbone of what we do, and there are so many ways to volunteer with us

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    • Build Site Volunteer: Help build homes across southern Rhode Island. No experience necessary - all you need is the desire to lend a helping hand.
    • ReStore Volunteer: Help out in our retail store in sales, customer service, pricing, and merchandising
    • Office Volunteer: Work behind the scenes by helping our busy staff
    • Board or Committee Volunteer: Propel the organization forward by helping with fundraising, strategic planning, events, building planning, and much more

    We have something for everyone!

  • Your contribution of time, talent, or treasure will last lifetimes

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  • Together, we can build great things

  • South County Habitat for Humanity relies on the efforts of hundreds of volunteers annually to carry out our mission.

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  • In the 2021 calendar year, South County Habitat for Humanity had over 560 volunteers share over 16,460 volunteer hours with us. The estimated value of this shared time is $469,768. We are thankful for all the helping hands!

  • Safety is our priority!

    Please watch our safety video before volunteering with us.

  • Thank you to the many South County Habitat for Humanity volunteers who shared their time and acting talents with us to film this video.

  • To review, these are our general safety protocols:

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    • Closed toe shoes are required for all volunteers.
    • Hard hats must be worn on all construction sites, and safety glasses and hearing protection should be worn when appropriate. Habitat for Humanity provides all tools and safety equipment. 
    • When using a ladder, make sure all four feet are on sturdy ground. Have someone hold the ladder as you climb up, and never climb a ladder that is leaning against a wall.
    • The proper way to lift is by bending your knees and lifting with your legs.
    • When carrying lumber or larger items, use two people.
    • Watch where you are going and be aware of your surroundings.
    • Dress appropriately for the weather and do not wear dangling jewelry on the build site.
    • Stay hydrated and have fun.

    Thank you and we look forward to having you volunteer with us.

  • Volunteer Age Requirements

  • Build site and ReStore volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

    On the Build Site:

    • We require one adult chaperon for every five volunteers that are 16 or 17 years old. 
    • Volunteers ages 16 or 17 are not allowed to use power tools. 
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  • Ready to Volunteer?

  • To volunteer, please contact Lisa Chambers at 401.213.6711 or Lisa@southcountyhabitat.org

    Please find our open volunteer build opportunities here:
    Volunteer Registration Calendar

    All volunteers are required to sign a volunteer waiver.

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