Volunteer, Make a Difference for NH Families!

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity.  We rely on their dedication and generosity to further our mission.  Our organization is always in need of volunteers with skills and compassion.  We have a number of volunteer opportunities that go beyond swinging a hammer.  No matter your skills or experience, you can help build simple, decent, affordable homes to help local families.

Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity volunteers develop new skills, make new friends, and have fun while improving the lives of others.  We are always looking for contributions in the following areas:

Volunteer to Help Build a Habitat Home

Building a Habitat home is our most popular activity.  This is what most people think of when they consider volunteering for Habitat.  Every Habitat home is built by volunteers.  We build on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  No prior experience is needed.  We offer on-site training each morning and provide our volunteers with any tools needed. (If you have your own tools, we welcome you to bring them!)

Please go to VolunteerUp to register and locate available build dates.  You may also click HERE to view our current build schedule.  If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, June Demers, at volunteer@senhhabitat.org.

For safety and liability reasons, all construction volunteers must be at least 18 years old.  No one under the age of 18 is permitted on the job site.

Would Your Company Like to do a Corporate Build Day?

We welcome corporations and companies to come build with us.  It is a great team building experience for the entire group and we would love to have you!  Every Habitat home is built by volunteers.  We build on Thursdays and Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  No prior experience is needed.  We offer on-site training each morning and provide tools. (If you have your own tools, we welcome you to bring them!) Individuals and groups may schedule work days.

Please visit VolunteerUp to register and locate available build dates.  You may also click HERE to view our current build schedule.  If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, June Demers, at volunteer@senhhabitat.org.

For safety and liability reasons, all construction volunteers must be at least 18 years old.  No one under the age of 18 is permitted on the job site.

Become a Crew Leader/Support Leader

If you can perform basic construction tasks and like working with groups, we need your help!  You’ll make sure volunteers have a great experience, learn new skills and – of course – build a beautiful home! Crew and support leaders supplement our construction crew and make it possible for us to build more houses.  If you are interested, please contact our Construction Manager, Doug Gregory, at constructionmanager@senhhabitat.org.

Volunteer FAQs

How do I sign up do be a volunteer?

Please go to VolunteerUp to register and locate available build dates.  You may also click HERE to view our current build schedule.  If you have questions or need assistance, please contact June Demers at volunteer@senhhabitat.org or call our office at 603-433-9555. 

For safety and liability reasons, all construction volunteers must be at least 18 years old.  No one under the age of 18 is permitted on the job site.

What kind of work will I do at the construction site?

Though we’ll try to let you know what you’ll be doing before your work day arrives, weather and other factors make predicting construction work a challenge.  Some examples of what you might do include:

Framing
Installing insulation
Installing cabinets and closets
Landscaping
Painting
Light cleaning
Loading and unloading materials

Whatever job you’re assigned, make sure you’re comfortable with it!  If you are unable to complete a task, or feel afraid (not everyone wants to be on the roof!), tell your crew leader.  You’ll either be given another project or asked to break for a bit while crew leaders prepare for the next phase.

Do I need construction experience to help build?

No!  It’s great if you have construction skills but certainly not necessary.  Your crew leader will ensure that you receive training for the task at hand.  Before you know it, you’ll have picked up handy new skills you can use next time you volunteer!  If you have expertise in some aspect of construction, please let us know.  We can’t guarantee we’ll need work in that area on the day you volunteer, but we’ll do everything we can to put your skills to good use!

What should I wear?

Volunteers at construction sites and our ReStore wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty, torn, or even ruined.  Closed-toe shoes are a MUST, so put on your sneakers or work boots.  We build in all kinds of weather, so please be sure to dress in layers that are appropriate for indoor and/or outdoor work in whatever weather is happening during your build day.

We do not build in extreme weather.  Please check our Facebook or Twitter pages before you leave in the morning.  Cancellations will be made by 10:00 p.m. the night before a build.

What should I bring?

Tools – Although we do have tools on-site, you are welcome to bring your personal tools.  Please make sure to label them!  We suggest:

Hammer (at least 16 oz.)
Tape measure
Nail apron or tool belt
Safety glasses
Gloves
Hard hat
If you don’t have the above items, don’t worry! The tools you need will be available at the construction site.

Lunch and Supplies – Sometimes we are blessed enough to have lunch provided by generous donors and volunteers, but this is not always the case.  Please plan to bring a bagged lunch.  Water, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, and a camera are also handy.

What are Other Ways Can You Help? Volunteer Your Time and Expertise for one of our Committees!

Committee Members Wanted: Join us to find out how Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity really works!

Habitat for Humanity requires a considerable amount of work behind the scenes before, during, and after building. Committee volunteers provide invaluable support in the areas of family selection, fundraising, site selection and more.  If you have a skill set that fits one of these teams, please contact our Executive Director, Marcie Bergan, at executivedirector@senhhabitat.org or call our office at (603) 433-9555.

Board of Directors

Our all-volunteer Board of Directors represents a variety of experience and talent.  We always look for Board members to provide governance and direction.  The Board meets the third Tuesday of every month and some Board members are involved in sub-committees that may meet regularly as well.  If you are interested in helping drive our mission and increasing our capacity, please contact executivedirector@senhhabitat.org.

Family Selection Committee

This committee manages the selection process of the families we partner with.  This process can take as long as six months.  It evaluates applicant families based on their need for adequate shelter, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat.  In addition to evaluating the standard credit and financial information required of all home buyers, the team also conducts visits to the homes of applicant families. If you want to help us fill our homes with qualified, hard-working families, please contact executivedirector@senhhabitat.org.

Family Support Committee

This committee facilitates homeowner training and helps families understand their homeowner duties, in terms of both their partnership with Habitat (financial, sweat equity, etc.) and other areas, such as budgeting and home maintenance.  The team also helps Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity learn from our partner families so we can improve our programs to better serve their needs.  Please contact executivedirector@senhhabitat.org.

Building Committee

Team members interface with designers, suppliers, engineers, city planners, subcontractors and individuals/organizations who play a role in the build.  The team obtains permits; prepares construction schedules and materials lists; manages procurement of materials; interfaces with municipalities and regulatory officials; and oversees the work of subcontractors and volunteers.

Who makes a good Building Committee member?  Anyone with experience or knowledge of site development or building homes – surveyors, architects, building supply people, or carpenters.  If you’ve got the right stuff, contact executivedirector@senhhabitat.org.

Site Selection Committee

This team identifies potential sites for construction and checks with city offices for availability of utility hook-ups, deed holders and other logistical concerns.  You’ll work with our Building Committee to make certain lots are buildable at no or low cost.  Do you have real estate or governmental experience and relationships?  We need you!  Please contact executivedirector@senhhabitat.org.

Volunteer Relations Committee

This team organizes volunteers to find the right people for the right jobs.  You’ll set up times and places to work, whether in the office, at events, at the job site or at the store.  This committee helps team chairs fill holes and build solid, functioning teams.  This team also maintains our volunteer database, tracks volunteer hours and sets criteria for volunteer recognition.  Love people?  Enjoy finding out how their passion fits with our mission?  Please contact executivedirector@senhhabitat.org.

Fundraising Committee

The committee develops fundraising ideas and coordinates special events and campaigns.  You’ll also coordinate corporate sponsorships, donor relations, recognition, and research and write grants.  You’ll build relationships with people who are passionate about affordable housing, and have the means to further our mission.  Please contact executivedirector@senhhabitat.org.

Public Relations Committee

Help spread the word about Habitat’s mission and activities.  Members interface with the media; speak to local chambers of commerce, church congregations and other organizations; participate in community events; create marketing and presentation materials; and maintain our website and communications materials.  If you have experience in media relations or marketing, or would simply love to spread the word about affordable housing, contact executivedirector@senhhabitat.org.

Faith Relations

This team encourages support and involvement from the faith community.  Ideally, this committee is made up of members of our faith partner organizations.  This team coordinates prayer and fundraising efforts, and maintains relations with existing faith partners and potential partners.  If you have a strong faith, and a strong desire to help those in need through service, contact executivedirector@senhhabitat.org.

Put Faith into Action

Habitat for HumanityHabitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian ministry.  Our belief is that all people should have a safe, decent place to live.  Habitat for Humanity’s work is driven by the desire to give tangible expression to God’s love through the work of eliminating poverty housing.  Habitat for Humanity partners with individuals of all faiths, or of no faith, to bring diverse groups of people together to join our mission to build and renovate simple, decent, affordable houses.

Habitat is a partnership founded on common ground – bridging theological differences by putting love and faith into action.  Everyone can use a hammer as an instrument to manifest God’s love.  Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, said “While we may disagree on many issues, we can agree on the idea of building homes with God’s people in need.”  As we focus on working together to build a house, we realize that our similarities become more important than our differences.

How Can My Church Help Habitat?

Covenant Congregations

Habitat for Humanity has its roots in the faith community, and our Covenant Congregation relationships are a fundamental part of our success.  Community faith groups are essential partners in organizing the manpower and will power within our community, and focusing it towards a common goal.

Through the Covenant relationship with Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity, faith groups express with their prayers, time, energy, and dollars that all people are entitled to a safe place to call home.  We rely on the faith community for spiritual, volunteer, and financial support. In recognition of this, Covenant congregations pledge to support Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity in all three of these ways.

How to Apply

Send an email to executivedirector@senhhabitat.org with your congregation’s name and a short statement about how you would like to get involved with Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity.  Or, meet with us!  We want to know how your congregation would like to get involved spiritually, voluntarily, and financially.
If we go forward with the partnership, we will sign our Covenant Agreement stating our intentions to partner together in support of affordable housing.