Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity!
Volunteers come in all races, genders, beliefs, professions, and skills. One thing that all Habitat volunteers have in common: they are critically important to furthering the organization’s mission in our community.
Through construction, retail, and more, volunteers help Dallas Habitat impact hundreds of families each year.
Every Helping Hand Makes a Difference
Volunteers are a vital part of our mission.
We welcome individuals, corporations, community groups, faith congregations, and many more to join us in building affordable homeownership opportunities for local families. No prior experience is necessary; we’ll show you what to do!
Construction Volunteer
No construction experience required! Work alongside our partner families in building and rehabbing homes for hardworking, deserving families. Please note that due to limited availability, build opportunities are reserved for sponsor volunteer groups and Core Volunteers.
Core Volunteer
Our Construction Core Volunteers are the lifeblood of Dallas Habitat. We rely on our Core Volunteers to help us build, lead teams of volunteers, instruct Habitat University volunteers, and help us catch up on builds throughout the week.
ReStore Volunteer
Our ReStores are home improvement and decor stores that sell new and gently used items to help fund our mission. Volunteers provide support to help keep the ReStores running smoothly by stocking items, assembling furniture and more.
Other Opportunities
Other volunteer opportunities include neighborhood clean-ups, special events, and Global Village. Special events are available as needed.
General Frequently Asked Questions
Do volunteers need previous experience?
What kind of tasks will volunteers be doing?
Tasks vary depending on the stage of construction for the build sites. Tasks also vary for the ReStores. We ask volunteers to come prepared to work inside or outside.
Age restrictions for volunteers?
Under 14: not allowed
14-15: must have one adult for every 5 youth
16 +: allowed alone
Neighborhood Clean-ups:
Youth under 18 must be accompanied by 1 adult for every 5 youth.
OSB Projects: 14 and up can participate 14 -17-year-old must have one adult chaperone for every 5 youth.
Build Site/Wall Shop: Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Volunteers who are 16 or 17 must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian who will also be volunteering that day. The signature of the minor and the parent/guardian is needed on the Volunteer Release, Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement.
Does my child under 18, need to register?
Can I bring a friend?
It depends on the opportunity! We would love to All volunteering opportunities have a certain number of slots available. All volunteers must have their own account and register for the opportunity via the Volunteer Portal.
Volunteering with a company or group: You must ask the person coordinating for your group. Reach out to Volunteer Services (volunteering@dallas-habitat.org) if uncertain.
Does my spouse need to register, or can they just come with me to volunteer?
Who is in charge of the volunteer days?
Construction Volunteering:
▪ Construction Superintendent – Staff
▪ House Leader – Designated Core Volunteer
▪ Habitat Homebuyer(s) and support
▪ Core Volunteers
▪ Habitat University (HU) volunteers
▪ Junior League of Dallas (JLD) volunteers
▪ Sponsored volunteers
▪ Individual volunteers
ReStores:
▪ Store Manager (and/or Assistant Manager)
▪ ReStore staff
▪ Blue Hat volunteers
▪ Habitat Homebuyer(s) and support
▪ Return-to-work volunteers
▪ Community Service volunteers
▪ Group volunteers
▪ Individual volunteers
What if I don’t like or feel uncomfortable performing a task?
Whether you volunteer on a construction site or with one of our ReStores, we will try to find a more suitable task. Please note that there may not always be other tasks available.
Can we arrive late or leave early?
All volunteers are asked to commit to a full scheduled day. Please arrive on time to register and to attend the orientation. If you need to leave early, please let the Construction Manager, Site Supervisor and Site Liaison know when you are leaving and make sure to sign out.
Do you provide snacks and lunch?
Do I get a break during my volunteer shift?
Construction: Standard breaks will be given throughout the day. Take breaks as needed to avoid heat injuries.
ReStores: Standard breaks will be given throughout the day. The ReStore management team will inform you of the breaks.
What type of bathroom facilities are on site?
I have previously volunteered with Dallas Habitat and have a VolunteerHub account. How do I log into the Volunteer Portal?
What if I cannot make it to a day I signed up for?
As soon as you know that you will not be able to fulfill your commitment, please sign in to your Volunteer Portal account and cancel your registration. The more advance notice we are given, the more likely it is that we will be able to recruit additional volunteers.
What if there is inclement weather?
We will build in the rain as long as conditions on the site are safe. You will receive an email and/or text message if a shift you are registered for is canceled.
To receive text messages, check your account settings in the Volunteer Portal and ensure you are opted in to receive text messages. We only text about changes to volunteer events. We do not solicit.
Construction:
Build site:
Fall & Spring (Sep 1 – May 31): Call is made by 6:00am the morning of the shift.
Summer (Jun 1 – Aug 31): Call is made by 5:30am the morning of the shift.
Wall Shop:
Will typically remain open unless road conditions are unsafe or if there is an act of nature that threatens safety around the building.
ReStores:
Will typically remain open unless there is an act of nature that threatens the safety of the building. You will receive an email and/or text message informing you of cancellations.
In the event of injury/emergency?
First-aid kits and AEDs are present at all construction and ReStore sites. Call 911 in the event of an emergency that can not be handled by basic first aid.
Are there any waivers to sign?
When you register for any volunteer opportunity, you will be asked to accept two waivers:
Release from Liability: Assumption of Risk, And Covenant Not to Sue agreement.
Volunteer Code of Conduct: By clicking “Next” you are acknowledging that you have read, understand and agree to DAHFH’s volunteer waivers.
What is the parking situation?
Build sites: be mindful of the residents and neighborhoods in which we work in. Do NOT block any driveways. Please carpool if possible as street parking may be limited at some sites.
Wall Shop: Pulling in from Hampton Rd, turn right on the service road then you will see a gated parking lot around the building on the left.
Enter Wall Shop through the large garage door (visible from the parking lot). o ReStores: designated parking will be assigned to groups upon registration
Do You Have Required Community Service Opportunities?
Yes! At our organization, we understand the importance of giving back to the community and fulfilling our social responsibility. That is why we offer letters for community service hours to students from schools, organizations, and all other required community service programs.
Registration: Mandatory Community Service Volunteers
- Step 1: Please fill out the Community Service & Benefits Programs Volunteer Information Form
- Step 2: Create your account in the Volunteer Portal
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- Please fill in all required information fields (email, phone, address, birthdate, emergency contact)
- Step 3: View & Sign up for volunteer shifts: https://volunteer.dallasareahabitat.org/
Need a formal letter?
Send a request via email to:
• Volunteer Services: volunteering@dallas-habitat.org
• Oscar Maldonado, Volunteer Services Manager: omaldonado@dallas-habitat.org
Build FAQs
What does a volunteer day look like?
o Look for the welcome table to check-in with the Site Host.
o Safety speech and tasks for the day
o Gear up, break into smaller groups and assign specific tasks.
o Lunch
o Work
o Clean-up
Do I need construction experience?
No prior experience required. Construction supervisors and Core volunteers will teach and guide you throughout the day.
What days of the week do we build?
What should we wear?
What if someone is not comfortable using power tools or other tools?
What do I need to do before a volunteer build day?
- Get adequate sleep
- Hydrate the day before
- Map address in GPS to get familiar with your route
- Save event confirmation email in case you get lost and need to call for directions
What is the Safety Speech?
At the beginning of each shift, a safety speech will be presented on-site to inform all volunteers of the risks and precautions they will encounter that day. You must be present for the safety speech to volunteer.
What should I wear and bring to volunteer days?
Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. Skirts and dresses are not permitted. Dallas Habitat provides hard hats to each volunteer and requires that volunteers always wear them on-site.
What to Bring
- Please bring a reusable water bottle with your name. Water jugs will be provided on-site to refill.
- Please bring a sack lunch. Some sponsors choose to provide lunches for the volunteers. Please bring your lunch unless otherwise noted in the event details upon your registration.
- Please lock all personal belongings in your car and plan to keep only your keeps and phone in your tool apron or pocket. You may leave your water bottle on the sign-in table.
- Dallas Habitat provides volunteers with all the necessary tools and equipment for a build day. If you wish to bring your own, please make sure they are clearly labeled. Do not bring any power tools. Dallas Habitat is not responsible for your tools.
If you have additional questions, please contact Volunteer Services at volunteering@dallas-habitat.org
Prior to volunteering, all volunteers must register on our Volunteer Registration Portal
With help from people like you, whole neighborhoods improve and completely transform. Through this transformation, families achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life.