VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
Office Location and Hours
Habitat Office
720 Connecticut
Lawrence, KS 66044
Hours: Monday – Friday 9am-4pm
Habitat ReStore
708 Connecticut
Lawrence, KS 66044
Hours: Monday – Wednesday & Friday 9am-5pm
Tuesday 9am-6pm
Saturday 9am-2pm
Contact Information
Phone: (785) 832-0777
Email:
WELCOME TO LAWRENCE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY!
We are pleased that you have chosen to volunteer with Lawrence Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Without the support and contribution from our volunteers, our mission to build simple, decent and affordable housing would not be possible.
Each Habitat home requires over 2,000 hours in construction labor alone. In addition to the hours put in at the construction site by volunteers, building a Habitat home requires planning, preparing and fundraising.Many of these tasks are fulfilled by volunteers serving as board and/or committee members. The enthusiasm, time and dedication volunteers bring to our organization are what help contain cost allowing homeownership to bepossible.
Dedicated people from all walks of life come together to work in partnership with families in need to make homeownership a dream come true.A Habitat home is more than concrete and lumber. Each home contains a story of a community of volunteers and homeowners who believe that homeownership should not be a privilege only of the wealthy.
As a volunteer, you will be part of a professional team. We also have a lot of fun! Volunteering with Lawrence Habitat for Humanity is a great way to help a family in need while teambuilding within your own organization and making new friends.
This handbook is designed to serve as a reference after your introduction to Lawrence Habitat for Humanity. We hope this information will be of benefit to you and please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Thank you for your support!
Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. The organization grew out of the teaching of Clarence Jordan and Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial Christian community outside of Americus, Georgia. The farm was persecuted for the tolerant and progressive version of the Christian life that it espoused, and often had to fight to survive. The farm persisted and served as an example of equality overcoming impossible odds. The Fullers were inspired by the example of Koinonia and would use it as an example for a new way to approach housing. That new approach was the Habitat way.
The Habitat way provided an option to those who were underprivileged and would not ordinarily be able to afford a home on their own. It was the belief of the Fullers that every person deserves a simple, decent and affordable place to live. The organization that they built was centered on the growing Fund for Humanity.
The Fund for Humanity set the grounds for the Habitat movement, and sent it in a direction that has gone fundamentally unchanged. Houses would be built for no profit and interest would not be charged on the loans. Building costs would be financed by a revolving fund called the “Fund for Humanity,” which was composed of homeowners’ home payments and money earned by fund-raising activities. The fund was not designed to give away money; it was designed to provide working capital for constructing new homes for those who could not afford to build them themselves. It would provide a hand up, not a hand out. This simple idea grew to foster Habitat for Humanity International, an organization that has now built over 500,000 houses, bringing shelter to more than 2 million people worldwide.
Today Habitat builds homes, raises communities and helps devastated areas recover from disasters. It is a global movement dedicated to creating a better human habitat through offering help to those who need it most.
Habitat for Humanity International functions through semi-autonomous affiliates, which must meet a number of standards to carry the Habitat for Humanity banner. Lawrence Habitat for Humanity is proud to be one of those affiliates.
Lawrence Habitat for Humanity
In 1989, Lawrence Habitat for Humanity was founded as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization by John Gingerich and others who shared the conviction that all people deserve a simple, decent and affordable home. Through the goodwill of the people of Douglas and Jefferson Counties, expressed through both donations and volunteering, Lawrence Habitat has now built over 78 homes in Lawrence, Eudora and Baldwin City for families making between 30%-60% of the median income for the Lawrence area, as well as contributing to the construction of over 65 homes internationally. We currently build 3-5 houses a year.
Our energy efficient homes include a full kitchen, spacious living room, and an adequate number of bedrooms. There are no garages, unless it is required by zoning laws. Most houses are slab-on-grade, but they all include a reinforced room to be used in the case of severe weather.
We have not just built homes in Lawrence, but neighborhoods. The first neighborhood that we worked on, Atherton Court, was built in partnership with Tenants to Homeowners. The second neighborhood, Comfort Lane, was started in 2007 as a solely Habitat directed venture. When it is completed it will hold 16 homes and a small playground for the children who live in the neighborhood.
The communities that we build in Lawrence are not only the visible structures of houses, but the invisible communities of volunteers. This is because Habitat homes are built with volunteer labor, but with professional quality, care and supervision. The building of a Habitat home is a vital social exercise that creates a positive space in the Lawrence community. Volunteers meet new people and develop skills of which they never considered themselves capable. Construction volunteers gain a priceless education in sound construction practices at the very low cost of a few hours on a Saturday morning. At the bottom of it all is the fact that building a Habitat home feels good.
We follow the practices of Habitat for Humanity International and price homes at the cost of construction materials and set the interest free mortgage at no more than 30% of a family’s monthly gross income. Lawrence Habitat manages the mortgages in house, and does so in a way that constantly keeps our values in mind.
The Mission of Lawrence Habitat for Humanity
Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, Inc. works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with God’s people in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which people can live and grow into all that God intended.
Volunteer Opportunities
The heart of Habitat is in bringing together people in the community. As such, we are a volunteer driven organization. There are a range of volunteer opportunities at Lawrence Habitat, for both individuals and groups. No matter what your skill set, there is something that you can help with at Habitat. All that you need is a desire to help out. Here are a few of the many volunteer opportunities for helping. Join in the excitement of Habitat!
Construction
The build site is open to volunteers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays are generally designated for more experienced volunteers and smaller groups. Saturdays can be reserved for larger groups, although individuals are always welcome. All construction volunteers must be at least 16 years old, and all must sign a release of liability prior to service. A copy of the liability wavier is attached to the back of this handout for your convenience. A separate waiver of liability is available for minors; please contact the Habitat Office for a copy. Volunteers are also required to complete an online safety training course prior to their first build. Instructions on how to complete the online safety course are attached to the back of this handout. Prospective volunteers should sign up on the Lawrence Habitat for Humanity “Volunteer Up” page located at The website can also be located through the Lawrence Habitat for Humanity main website (
What to Wear
On the day of the build, we ask that volunteers dress appropriately for the weather. Depending on the task assigned for that day, volunteers may get paint or dirt on their clothes. Please be prepared to get dirty.
Dress Code:
1. Shoes – Closed toe shoes only. Work boots are preferred but thick soled tennis shoes will be allowed. Please make sure that tennis shoes have a solid grip on the sole.
2. Pants/Shorts –Shorts are allowed but must be no higher than mid-thigh. No mini shorts allowed. Undergarments must be covered.
3. No skirts and dresses allowed.
4. Shirts – Either long sleeve, short sleeve shirts and t-shirts are allowed. No tube tops, sport bras and halter tops are allowed. No suggestive or profane sayings are allowed on any shirt. Fishnet and sheer shirts of any kind are not allowed. Skin must not be exposed in the torso area.
5. Jewelry – Dangling and bulky jewelry of any type is not allowed.
6. These rules will be strictly complied with for safety reasons. If the construction supervisor deems anything that you may be wearing as a safety hazard and/or of a suggestive nature, he/she will not allow you to work on the job site, no exceptions.
What to Bring
Please bring a water bottle to the worksite. Water will be available on site. All tools and personal protection equipment will be provided on site, but volunteers are always welcome to bring their own tools. Sunscreen and a hat may be beneficial on a hot build day.
Lunch
If you are volunteering on a Tuesday or Thursday, please bring your own sack lunch. Lunch will be provided for the Saturday crew.
Minimum Age Requirement & Insurance, Liability Release
Volunteers under the age of 16 are not allowed to work on the construction site. Volunteers that are 16-17 years of age must present a waiver form for minors signed by a parent or guardian. All volunteers must sign a waiver of liability form prior to their first build. Each volunteer is expected and encouraged to obtain his or her own medical or health insurance coverage.
Build Day Schedule
8:50a.m. – 9:00a.m.Sign-in
9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.Build
12:00p.m. – 12:30p.m.Lunch Break
12:30p.m. – 3:00p.m.Build and cleanup
3:00pmSign-out
*Your build day may slightly differ from the schedule above depending on the progress of the build, weather and unexpected incidents.
**If you can only volunteer for half a day, we ask that volunteers come in the morning and leave early. Please notify the volunteer coordinator if you or your group will not be able to stay for the entire day.
Cancellations Due to Weather
If a build needs to be canceled due to bad weather, volunteers will receive an email notification sent to their email account registered under Volunteer UP no later than 8:15a.m. on the day of the build. Cancellations will also be posted as a broadcast message on Volunteer UP. Please use your best judgment in deciding whether it is safe for you to travel.
Volunteer Termination
We appreciate the skills and commitment volunteers bring to our worksite. Please understand, for the safety and the continuation of successful builds, volunteers with multiple no-shows, volunteers that endanger the safety of other volunteers, or volunteers that are unable to safely and fully perform the functions or duties of their assigned role will either be reassigned to a different volunteer role or will be relieved of their volunteer position.
Job Site Courtesy and Safety
Pay Attention – Be aware of your surroundings. Be careful where you lay things down. Don’t leave exposed nails sticking out, especially on discarded wood. If you see anything potentially dangerous, fix it or call for help.
Follow the Leader – A Construction Manager or Crew Leader will always be on site. If someone is designated ‘In Charge,’ their word is final, although creativity and suggestions are always welcome.
Respect Property – treat all tools as if they were your own. Please put them back when you are finished using them. Don’t waste anything! We are a non-profit charitable organization. Help pick up at the end of each day.
Be a Student and a Teacher – Most Habitat volunteers are learning on the job. Watch those whose skills are greater than yours and learn as much as you can from them. Then you can help those who are less knowledgeable than you.
ReStore
The Habitat ReStore is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday.The ReStore could not exist without the help of volunteers. We'll make getting involved as easy as possible. Whether you believe you're skilled or 'not so skilled,' have one day each week or just a few hours a month, represent a group or just yourself -- you are needed at the Habitat ReStore. Volunteer staff positions can be designed for individuals to work for a single day or a lifetime: whatever works for the individual. Work days can also be arranged for large groups on Saturdays. Volunteer opportunities available at the ReStore include: processing donations, assisting customers, donation pickup and office assistance. To sign up to volunteer, you can either stop by the ReStore or call (785) 832-0777. Volunteers interested in volunteering at the ReStore must complete an application form.
What to Wear
Please dress appropriately and be prepared to work. Volunteers must wear closed toe shoes. The dress code identified under the Construction section also applies to volunteers at the ReStore.
Minimum Age Requirement & Insurance, Liability Release
Volunteers under the age of 16 arenot allowed to work at the ReStore. Volunteers that are 16-17 years of age must present a waiver form for minors signed by a parent or guardian. All volunteers must sign a waiver of liability form prior to volunteering at the ReStore. Each volunteer is expected and encouraged to obtain his or her own medical or health insurance coverage.
Volunteer Termination
Please understand, for the safety and the continuation of a successful operation, volunteers with multiple no-shows, volunteers that endanger the safety of other volunteers, or volunteers that are unable to safely and fully perform the functions or duties of their assigned role will either be reassigned to a different volunteer role or will be relieved of their volunteer position.
Office Assistance
For those who want to help, but are uncomfortable with construction work, there are always volunteer opportunities at the Habitat Administrative Office. Typically volunteers help with stuffing envelopes, cleaning and data entry. Interested volunteers should call the office at (785) 832-0777 or sign up on VolunteerUp.
Committees
If you are more interested in working behind the scenes, then you should consider joining one of the many committees that, along with the Executive Director, execute the policy of the Board of Directors. Many of our current committee members started out on the build site, but all those with an interest should give a committee a chance. Committee chairs are always looking for members with special skills to help fulfill their strategic goals. Most committees meet once a month at the Habitat office, and make a huge impact on the work of Habitat, with only a small level of time commitment. Committee descriptions can be found on the Habitat website (
List of Habitat Committees
Communication / Family Support / Land AcquisitionConstruction / Finance / Women Build
Faith Relations / Resource Development
Family Selection / ReStore
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is responsible for designing the policy for Lawrence Habitat for Humanity. Generally, Board members have had a certain level of experience volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, but we are always excited to make connections to new areas of the Lawrence community through new Board members. Those who are interested in serving on the Board should contact the Executive Director directly either by calling the office or emailing .
General Volunteer Guidelines
- Drugs, alcohol and weapons are not permitted at the build site, inside a Habitat owned vehicle or at any Habitat facility.
- Volunteers working on the construction site or at the Habitat Office MUST sign up through Volunteer UP.
- ALL Habitat volunteers must sign a waiver of liability.
- In the event that you are unable to volunteer for the date you signed up for, please notify the Habitat Office or ReStore depending on your volunteer opportunity.
- Please be considerate of other volunteers and use your best judgment in determining appropriate behavior and language.
- Sexual harassment or any other discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated. Such conduct may be subject to termination.
Online Safety Training