Volunteer

Volunteers are the heart and backbone of Habitat

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The construction of Habitat homes is accomplished only because of the continuous generosity of our volunteers. Through the collective efforts of community partners, churches, current Habitat homeowners, and other committed volunteers, our Habitat partner families are able to have the gift of their very own homes.

Habitat for Humanity of McLean County welcomes passionate individuals and organizations to join us in our mission to provide safe, decent, affordable housing in our community.

Volunteers of all skill levels, backgrounds, and religions are welcomed!

Signing Up To Volunteer Is Easy!

There are many ways to get involved with Habitat for Humanity of McLean County. Each is an impactful way to build strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter alongside our partner families and across our community.

Before you sign up for a volunteer slot, we recommend reading through our expectations and policies below. You might also be interested in reading responses to some volunteering FAQs.

Expectations

To ensure a great experience for all Habitat volunteers, we ask that all volunteers adhere to the following*:

  • New individual volunteers must register and sign up through our volunteer database​.

    • Volunteers with any special needs should contact the Volunteer Coordinator.

    • Interested individuals under the age of 18 should consult the Age Restrictions Guidelines (information included below) regarding applicable volunteer opportunities.

  • Volunteers who wish to work as a group will need to contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lindsey, to schedule a date and location to volunteer. You can reach Lindsey at the Habitat office at 309-827-3931 or lindsey.jarboe@habitatmclean.org.

  • If you are unable to make the day you’ve signed up for to volunteer, please contact Lindsey as soon as possible.

  • Volunteers must dress appropriately for the task. This includes:

    • Clothing appropriate for outside work (expect to get dirty!)

      • Avoid loose/flowing clothing that could catch in equipment used on our sites.

    • No open-toed shoes

    • Tie back long hair

    • Please know that volunteers not dressed properly may be asked to leave.

  • Volunteers should arrive on time for their scheduled build day or volunteer opportunity.

  • Safety is of the utmost importance on build sites and at our ReStore. Volunteers should follow the guidance of the Project Directors, Construction Manager, or Supervisor at all times.

  • Individuals must not be under the influence of alcohol or any illicit drugs while participating in volunteer opportunities.

*In order to provide the best volunteer experience possible, our organization reserves the right to amend or update this policy as needed. 

Read About Expectations

Weather Policy

Please note that outdoor work is dependent on the weather. In situations where inclement weather may arise, safety is always our first priority. We only cancel/reschedule when we are absolutely compelled to do so, and should this occur with your build, we appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

If the weather looks questionable for construction the morning of your workday, please check the email you sign up with for a cancelation notice. If we determine we must cancel construction, we will post a notice on our Homepage and on our Facebook page.

We will not work/build in the following conditions:

  • Temperature is under 25 degrees, factoring in wind chill

  • Temperature is over 95 degrees, factoring in heat index

  • Snowing, raining or thundering/lightning

  • NOTE: If the weather becomes hazardous during the build shift, we will suspend building activities.

Once a home is closed in and heated, indoor work will continue rain or shine. In all cases, please use your personal discretion to determine if it is safe for you to leave your home and travel to the build site.

Weather Policy

Age Restrictions

For the safety of all volunteers, the following restrictions apply to any volunteers under the age of 18:

Ages 15 and Under

  • We are not able to allow volunteers under the age of 16 on our build sites. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lindsey Jarboe, at Lindsey.Jarboe@habitatmclean.org or 309-827-3931 for information on youth volunteer opportunities.

Ages 16-17

  • Must be supervised at a 1-adult-to-3-youth ratio

  • Must submit a Volunteer Release & Waiver of Liability form via our volunteer portal, with a parent or legal guardian, prior to performing any volunteer activity

  • Can assist with general construction/carpentry

    • Must not work on/with excavation, demolition or power tools

    • Must not work at heights or on the roof (includes climbing on ladders and scaffolding)  

REMINDER: Those under the age of 18 will still need to submit a Volunteer Release & Waiver of Liability form via our voluteer portal, with a parent or legal guardian, prior to the volunteer date!

Age Restrictions

Safety Information

View Safety Policy PDF

Habitat Safety Video

Habitat Safety Video (Spanish)

Safety Policy
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Swing a hammer, paint a wall or lift a truss at our build sites. These volunteers are out on Saturday mornings from 8a to 12noon (unless working as a group on an alternative date previously determined with our staff).

Register through Volunteer Hub

Build Site Volunteers
Dale and Chris processing - FROM PANTAGRAPH

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Our Habitat ReStore is always in need of individual volunteers and groups to help sort, clean, pick-up, and prepare furniture, appliances, and other household items for the sales floor. You can also help answer phones, greet customers and donors, or work the register.  

For more information about volunteering at the ReStore, please visit our ReStore volunteer page.

ReStore Volunteers
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The Retired Crew blesses our affiliate with their service every Tuesday and Thursday morning. They meet at 7:30am at our ReStore (1402 W Washington in Bloomington) parking lot and complete various tasks as needed for the Construction Manager. 

If you have any questions or want additional information, contact Lindsey at the Habitat office (309.827.3931).

Sign up now!

Retired Crew
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The McLean County chapter of Women Build began in 2003 and is currently working on their 20th home.
 
Women Build is exactly what it sounds like - a group of women coming together to build a home alongside a deserving family. No prior experience is needed; we have a talented construction manager and project directors who will teach volunteers anything they need to know.
 

The goal of Women Build is to empower women to help families build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter, and to guide our local volunteers to improve their communities. Although the Women Build house is led by, and mostly built by women, men are always welcome to support their efforts and join in!

Visit our Women Build page to learn more!

Women Build
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Habitat McLean County is fortunate to be supported by collegiate chapters at both Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University. The 2019-2020 build season was our 26th Collegiate Build! We are currently working on reestablishing the collegiate chapters following a hiatus due to COVID-19.

The Collegiate Chapter is beneficial to engage young adult leaders early. It plugs them into the Bloomington-Normal community, connecting them with other volunteers, donors, and especially the partner family and their neighbors. An experience with the Habitat Collegiate Chapter often sparks a life-long commitment to serving those in need and gives students the chance to examine their own privilege and consider how they will continue to give back after college.

Donate to the Collegiate Build Today

Collegiate Build
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With a small staff, we rely on the help of volunteers in our office to answer phones, greet guests, do filing, help with mailings and various other tasks as needed.

Contact Lindsey at the Habitat office (309.827.3931) if you'd like to get involved.

Office Volunteers
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Are you a:

  • Photographer?
  • Designer?
  • Landscaper?
  • Lawyer?
  • Sub-contractor?
  • Underwriter?
  • Basket Weaver?

If you want to donate your time using your professional skills, we can find a way to make that happen!

Contact Lindsey​​​​​​​ at the Habitat office (309.827.3931) if you'd like to get involved.

Professional Service
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Got Snacks?

If you enjoy cooking or baking, you can help us in a big way by supplying snacks for the volunteer workers on the build sites! Our work crews break on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings at 10 am and enjoy snacks together during these breaks.

If you'd like to provide or deliver snacks, contact Lindsey at the Habitat office (309.827.3931).

Refreshment Delivery

Volunteer FAQs

Our most common volunteer opportunity is to help construct a house on a build site. Construction volunteers help with various tasks, including framing, roofing, painting and siding. We are also always looking for volunteers to answer phones in our office and help at our ReStore. For a description all our volunteer roles, see above.

Yes, you need to sign up in advance to volunteer. If you are a first-time volunteer, please see our volunteering page for new volunteer information. 

To sign up for a specific build day, you can sign up online:

Sign Up Here!

Or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lindsey Jarboe, at lindsey.jarboe@habitatmclean.org or 309-827-3931.

 

Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and the task for your volunteer day. Remember, you are working on a construction site, so you will get dirty!

Avoid loose, flowing clothing that could catch on construction equipment, and if you have long hair, please tie it up. For your safety, no open-toed shoes are allowed. Sunscreen is also recommended if you are working outside.

If you have them, bring safety glasses, a hammer, tape measure and gloves. If you do not have these items, don’t worry! They will be provided for you.

7:45 AM - Arrive and check-in at build site

8:00 AM - Opening devotion and safety meeting

8:10 AM - Construction begins

10:00 AM - Mandatory break – snacks provided by group

11:30 AM - Begin clean-up of build site

12:00 PM - Building finished for the day

No previous construction experience is required. A Habitat Project Director will mentor you and teach you everything you need to know for the day's task.

We are always looking for Project Directors to help lead groups of volunteers. If you are interested in being a Project Director, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lindsey Jarboe, at Lindsey.Jarboe@habitatmclean.org or 309-827-3931 for more information. 

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lindsey Jarboe, at Lindsey.Jarboe@habitatmclean.org 

or 309-827-3931 for more information.