Join BWRT for Women Build with Habitat for Humanity!
Join the Chamber Business Women's Round Table on Friday, May 6th for Women Build with Habitat for Humanity!
- All skill levels are welcome, no previous experience is necessary! We maintain a 6:1 ratio of volunteers to Habitat staff so that volunteers have the support they need to learn new skills and ask for help as needed throughout the day.
- Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes! Otherwise, we recommend clothes that can get dirty. Women Build Week t-shirts will be provided. We recommend bringing lunch – you can also have lunch delivered for your group. Closer to the date of the project the volunteer coordinator can confirm the preferred delivery time.
National Women Build Week is an annual initiative that engages an estimated 15,000 women on Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country. The event is typically held the week leading up to Mother’s Day, which is significant to many volunteers, as families with children make up a staggering number of those in need of adequate housing. In Charlottesville, our goal is to have at least 50 women volunteer on the jobsite between April 23rd -30th!
Habitat Construction Volunteering FAQ
Where is the build site?
We have multiple job sites at the moment, all located within the city. Regardless, you'll be contributing to building simple, decent and affordable housing in partnership with low-income families and other volunteers in our area. The Volunteer Manager will send you an email confirmation no later than 12 noon the Wednesday before your build with the building location and parking details.
What is a typical work day like?
Summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day): 7:40-2:30 with a break for lunch from 11:30-12:00.
Fall, Winter, Spring (Labor Day-Memorial): 8:40 am - 3:30 pm for Groups and 8:45 am - 3:30 pm for Individuals with a break for lunch at 12-12:30
**Please do not arrive much earlier than 7:40/8:40. The staff will be setting up for the day and will not be ready for volunteers. If your group wishes to meet earlier, please gather in the parking area for discussion then walk to the build site at the appropriate time.
We will start with a brief orientation and then break into groups according to tasks to be accomplished that day. We start cleaning up a half an hour before departure. No experience is needed. First timers will be in the hands of patient and knowledgeable crew leaders and for those with more experience, we will do our best to plan a task that will allow you to put your time and skills to good use.
Volunteers are asked to work the entire shift to avoid disruption to the flow of work. Additionally, all volunteers need to be on-time for the start of the shift as we will not begin the day without all volunteers present for the overview and safety talks.
What should I wear?
Closed toe shoes and long pants are required! Boots are recommended, but any thick sole shoe you don’t mind getting muddy will do. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or stained. We suggest wearing long sleeved shirts to protect from scrapes, scratches, and sunburns. Consider leaving your jewelry at home and wearing glasses instead of contact lenses for additional safety. Insect repellent and sunblock are also good ideas.
**You will be asked to change if you arrive in clothing that is not safe or appropriate for a construction site.
What about lunch?
Please pack a lunch and plan to eat on site unless told otherwise. Lunch break is scheduled from 11:30 to 12:00 during our summer schedule and 12:00 -12:30 the rest of the year. Please bring your own reusable drinking vessel; water will be available on site.
What should I bring?
All tools and safety equipment will be provided. If you have them, we encourage you to bring a tool belt, safety equipment (gloves, hard hat, safety glasses, etc.) and basic tools (hammer, square, pencil, tape measure, screw driver, etc.) as they may be more comfortable than those we supply. Please leave power tools and valuables at home. You should label everything and be sure to leave with what you came with. Habitat cannot be responsible for your personal property so consider leaving that cell phone in the car.
What happens when there is bad weather?
We usually work rain or shine, as we aim to always have tasks to complete both outdoors and under roof. If you have any concern that work might be canceled due to weather, visit our website or call 434-293-9066.
Do I need to fill out any forms?
You will receive an email prior to your build day with a Liability Waiver attached. Please fill in the waiver and bring it with you to the build site. Volunteers under 18 must have a minor liability waiver signed by a parent and bring it with them to the site.
Are there any age restrictions?
Yes. Due to insurance and liability restrictions, the following conditions apply:
18+ Can be on site unsupervised with no restrictions
- Can only be on site with prior approval from Volunteer Manager. They may only volunteer on a scheduled Youth Build Day planned every other month. They may not use power tools or do any high-ladder/scaffolding work. Please email volunteer@cvillehabitat.org one week in advance to request approval. They can volunteer at the Habitat Store
under youthunited@cvillehabitat.org for more information. They can volunteer at the Habitat Store
Join BWRT for Women Build with Habita...
Date and Time
Friday May 6, 2016
8:45 AM - 3:30 PM EDT
Date: Friday, May 6th
Time: 8:45AM-3:30PM
Location
TBD
Contact Information
Dora Oliver
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