Building with Youth

  1. What is the Building with Youth Program?

Habitat for Humanity of Durham is committed to involving young people in helping to solve the problem of poverty housing and address the need for affordable housing. This program gives youth an organized way to be involved and ultimately acknowledges their contribution. This is a four-part program that involves learning about HFHD, helping HFHD by doing at least two approved activities andreflecting on the experience. Each participant, who completes the program, will be presented with a HABIreward of their choosing.

  1. How do I get started?

Look over the materials, make your decisions and discuss which activities you wish to perform with an adult sponsor/parent. A list of approved activities is provided in this packet of information. For some tasks will require coordination with the HFHD staff.

  1. Is adult supervision required?

It depends…Yes; a 1 adult/2 child ratio is required for activities that occur at HFHD. Many of the listed activities might not require direct supervision.

  1. Why can’t I just build a home?

Because of safety concerns and NC labor laws, youth under 16 years of age are not allowed on the job site while work is being performed. Youth 16 & 17 years of age can build on the jobsite but cannot use power tools or work on the roof, ladders or scaffolding.

  1. Can youth help at the Habitat Re-Stores?

14 & 15 year holds can help at the Re-Store with an adult (parent or guardian) working beside them and a signed release of liability. 16 & 17 year olds can volunteer independently.

  1. What if I have an idea that isn’t on the approved activities list?

Great! Just discuss it with Rebecca Leonard at Habitat for Humanity of Durham.

or call 919-682-0516 ext. 121

  1. Can I use this for community service for school or service clubs?

Yes, as long as the school’s form has been filled out and the hours verified by the adult sponsor and a Habitat Staff Member. Those with court-ordered community service need to contact HFHD prior to the performing their hours to ensure that the time will count.

  1. What if I have a group that wants to volunteer together?

Great! If you have a group, then it is probably best to plan activities where most of the tasks can be accomplished away from the job site (for example, making snacks and then bringing them to the site).Please discus your options with Rebecca Leonard.

Questions? Call Rebecca at 919-682-0516 ext. 121 or email

Earn your HabiREWARD by……

1. Learn –Choose two activities

  • Attend a house dedication! For times/dates contact Rebecca at – all ages can participate in this
  • Read part or all of Nickel and Dimed, On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich – for older teens
  • Read one of the children’s books produced by Habitat International: Grandpa's Hammer, Raising the Roof, Doorway to the Worldor Building Friends – for younger kids
  • Visit and explore our web site at
  • Watch 5 Habitat videos on
  • At read a recent edition of Habitat International’s publication, Habitat World
  • Learn about how Habitat builds in other countries
  • Check out Habitat for Humanity international’s website
  • Check out the Habitat Restore of Durham and Orange Counties website at
  • Visit the Global Village Center or Habitat headquarters in Americus Georgia
  • Play the Habitat game or do one of the Habitat puzzles found on the HFHI web site.
  • Play SPENT at

2. Act –Choose two activities(if you need guidance with this, contact Rebecca Leonard)

•Play SPENT at

  • Purchase a “Building a Better World Youth Activity Set” at
  • Make advocacy signs for Habitat for Humanity of Durham
  • Write and send letters to your elected officials advocating for affordable housing
  • Lead a devotion at the job site
  • Interview a homeowner for an article for our web site or newsletter
  • Provide and bring lunch or a snack to the job site
  • Draw greeting cards for us to use to give thank donors and volunteers
  • Visit a site and write a message to the homeowner on a stud that will go into the home
  • Construct a small project like bird houses, window box, bat house, etc. to give to a homeowner (for plans see web site)
  • Help a homeowner clean their house before they move in- 5 people maximum.
  • Make and/or contribute something that can be a door prize at homeowner dedication
  • Interview a Durham Habitat Geezer (a “Senior Builder” on the work site); write a report and a follow up thank you note.
  • Lead a prayer, sing or play music at a home dedication
  • Hold a bake sale to raise money for HFHD
  • Create posters for groups to use for volunteering – especially if your church or group is sponsoring a home
  • Make announcements in your church/School Club when volunteers are needed
  • Decorate pots for house plants
  • Create a stepping stone for the new homeowners
  • Challenge your group to collect pennies to use to help fund a home. House banks can be obtained at HFHD.
  • Create your dream house out of Legos or other building blocks, then take a picture and send to Rebecca
  • Help with set up and clean up during Youth United kickoff celebration – usually in August or September
  • Commit to serving Youth United for the coming academic year
  • If you would like to do an activity not listed here, please send request to Rebecca at

3. Reflect – Choose one activity

  • Create a picture through photography, painting, drawing, etc.
  • Turn in your “I did it” form along with any artwork, stories, or essays you created.
  • Write a prayer for HFHD to use at home kickoffs/dedications and other special events
  • Write an essay or story about your Habitat experience or what home means to you.

Upon completion of this program, you will be receiving a certificate and a HABIreward of your choosing.

Building with Youth

Contact info for youth volunteer (for group please attach a list)

Name: ______

Address: ______

City, state, zip code: ______

Age: ______

Contact info for adult sponsor

Name: ______

Address (if different): ______

City, state, zip code (if different): ______

Phone or email: ______

Learn – please describe the activities you did to learn about Habitat;

1)

2)

Act – please describe the activities you did to help HFHD

1)

2)

Reflect – please describe the activity you did email to Time spent:

1)

Youth volunteer: Please sign here to verify that you completed the above activities

Sign and date______

Adult sponsor verification: Please sign here to verify that the young person completed the above activities

Sign and date______

Please deliver to; Rebecca Leonard, Habitat for Humanity of Durham, 215 N. Church St. Durham NC 27701