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Frequently asked questions
For Volunteers

Where are you currently building?

We are currently building in the city of Santa Ana. Cypress will join the list.

When do you build?

We build Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Do I have to sign up for a volunteer opportunity or can I just show up?

We require all volunteers to sign up for volunteer opportunities. Please follow the Volunteer Steps process.

Do I have to attend an orientation before volunteering?

Our orientations are not mandatory in order to volunteer, but we strongly recommend attending one. Please follow the Volunteer Steps process.

What forms do I need to complete to volunteer?

All first time volunteers must complete a Volunteer Interest Form. This form is to be completed only once. Each time you volunteer for a different opportunity or worksite you will also need to complete a Site Specific Liability Form. Once these forms have been completed you are ready to volunteer. Please follow the Volunteer Steps process.

How do I turn in my Volunteer Interest Form?

You may turn in your Volunteer Interest Form at an Orientation or send it to our office by mail or fax (see address below). Please do NOT turn your Volunteer Interest Form in at a construction site or any other volunteer opportunity. This form is meant to go to the office only.

What can I expect when I go to a construction site?

When you arrive on a construction site please bring a completed Site Specific Liability Form with you. Once you complete this form for a construction site you will not need to do it again. If you go to a new construction site you will need to do a new form for that new site. After turning in your form you will sign in and make yourself a name tag. A safety meeting will begin shortly after your arrival and the Site Superintendent will divide volunteers up to conquer tasks for the day.

Do you provide lunch for me when I come to build?

Habitat OC does not provide lunch for volunteers and we suggest you bring your own. On occasions people or groups will provide lunch for all volunteers so you may be surprised on certain build dates.

Do you provide water for me when I come to build?

We ask that you bring your own water bottle to the build site. Habitat OC does have Sparkletts water jugs for volunteers to refill their water bottles throughout the day.

I would like to provide lunch for a build day, how do I do that?

If you would like to provide lunch for a build day contact the Volunteer Services office to set up a date and get more details.

How do I become a Green Team Member, Crew Leader or Geezer Member?

If you are interested in becoming a core volunteer, contact Volunteer Services for more information or alert one of our Construction Site Superintendents.

What is VolunteerUP?

VolunteerUP is an online sign up system. If you are interested in signing up for construction, deconstruction or ReStore volunteer opportunities, you may register once on VolunteerUP, keep your username and password and then login to the calendar to sign up for opportunities. Please follow the Volunteer Steps process.

I’ve registered on VolunteerUP, but can’t actually sign up for volunteer opportunities, what am I doing wrong?

Chances are you forgot to select a team affiliation. Login to VolunteerUP, go to My Info and then to My Profile and select Occasional Volunteer as your team affiliation. If the problem persists, contact Volunteer Services.

Where are my volunteer hours tracked?

Volunteer hours are not tracked in VolunteerUP. All hours are tracked by Volunteer Services in a central database. If you need a letter of recognition stating your volunteer hours please contact Volunteer Services for assistance.

How do I organize a Corporate Team Build Day?

If you are interested in organizing a corporate team day please contact Corporate Relations to learn details about our different sponsorship packets.

How do I get my congregation involved?

If you are interested in organizing a build day for your faith organization, please contact Faith Relations to learn about all of the opportunities to get involved.

How do I get my community service group involved?

If you have a group of over 5 volunteers, please contact Volunteer Services for assistance. For smaller groups, just have everyone sign up individually on VolunteerUP.

Do you have age restrictions?

Yes. Safety standards require that volunteers be 16 or older on construction sites, in the ReStores or for a Deconstruct project. Volunteers aged 16 or 17 must have a Site Specific Liability Form completed by a parent or legal guardian. They must also be accompanied by an adult, 25 years or older, for the first three times they volunteer. Then the volunteer, his or her parent/legal guardian and a Habitat OC supervisor can confer to decide if the young person is ready to work without additional supervision.

How do I get someone involved who is under 16?

While the majority of our volunteer opportunities are most appropriate for youth over the age of 16, we do encourage the involvement of all youth. There are tons of ways for young people to help. For information on how to get youth under the age of 16 involved, contact Youth Programs in the Volunteer Services Office.