Volunteer Positions
Statement of Purpose:
Waco Habitat for Humanity, Inc., founded in 1986, is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to provide a decent house in a decent community for all of God’s people in need. Habitat invites people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to help build and repair houses with partner families. Habitat builds homes in partnership with low-income families, and those homes are built and repaired using primarily volunteer labor. Our partner families serve alongside Habitat staff and volunteers as they move toward either repairing the home they already own or eventually purchasing their home through a zero interest loan.
Mission of Waco Habitat for Humanity:
We envision a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Waco Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Construction Volunteer Positions
ReStore Volunteer Positions
Mission Support Positions
- Application Information Meeting Volunteer
- Family Selection Committee
- Family Support Committtee
- Prison Partnership Lunch Provider
Cabinet Crew
History: Each Tuesday and Thursday, a group of (mostly retired) volunteers comes together to build kitchen cabinets for Habitat for Humanity homes. The workshop is outfitted with a set of tools and these volunteers build great looking cabinets that will be installed in each house Waco Habitat builds. Their volunteer service saves Habitat about $1,000 per house over the price of store-bought cabinets. This helps Habitat move more families out of poverty housing into a decent, affordable home of their own. Volunteers not only help Habitat build more homes, but they enjoy great fellowship with other members of the Cabinet Crew.
Schedule: The cabinet crew works each Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 am – 12:00 noon. Habitat’s construction supervisor provides the plans for each set of cabinets, and direction when needed.
Qualifications:
- Able and willing to partner with Waco Habitat to build in a safe and educational environment
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Volunteers must sign a waiver before working
- No prior construction experience is needed.
To Volunteer: To learn more about joining the Waco Habitat Cabinet crew, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 254-756-7575 or volunteer@wacohabitat.org.
General Construction Volunteer
Overview: General Construction Volunteers work on our construction sites to help build affordable homes for working families in the City of Waco. While working on construction-related tasks with the homebuyer and other volunteers and by following safety guidelines, you can be part of the solution to poverty housing.
Schedule: Volunteers are scheduled throughout the year from Wednesday through Saturday. Our morning shift is 8:30am – 12:00pm and our afternoon shift is 1:00 – 4:30pm. (Summer 7:30am – 12:00pm) Please arrive on time and stay for the duration of your scheduled shift so that we are able to complete the necessary construction tasks for the day. Volunteers must be able to commit to at least one 3.5 hour shift (8:30-12:00 or 1:00- 4:30)
Training and Support: Volunteers will receive a confirmation email once they sign up on our Volunteer Calendar. Don’t know anything about construction? Volunteers receive direction and support from Waco Habitat construction staff and skilled volunteer supervisors. In addition, Waco Habitat provides all of the tools and supplies needed for a build.
What to Wear: Wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty, and sturdy, close-toed shoes (no sandals). A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended.
Qualifications:
- Be able and willing to partner with Waco Habitat to build in a safe and educational environment
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Volunteers must sign a waiver before working
- No prior construction experience is needed.
To Volunteer: To Sign up to Volunteer go the volunteer registration website. Please contact our volunteer coordinator at 254-756-7575 or volunteer@wacohabitat.org if you have any questions about registering for a volunteer shift.
Ramps & Rails Groups
Waco Habitat for Humanity’s Ramps and Rails program helps to meet a great need in our community. Volunteer groups help build wheelchair ramps for low-income, disabled homeowners in the greater Waco area. Waco Habitat provides the materials and skilled supervision. The only requirement for volunteers is that they come willing to work. This is a great opportunity to make a big difference in someone’s life with just a morning of work!
Volunteer Groups: Currently, we are scheduling groups of 4-8 people to build ramps, typically in a 3-4 hour morning shift. Groups can commit to build a number of ramps each year (i.e. every other month) or just build one ramp. Most groups participate on a Saturday morning, but weekday shifts are available as well.
Minors: Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age to work on the construction site and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (one adult chaperone per every 5 youth). Minors are not allowed to use power tools.
What to Bring: Tools and water are provided. Volunteers are welcome to bring their favorite work gloves, hand tools (i.e. hammer, tool belt, tape measure), and refreshments. Labeling personal items is recommended.
What to Wear: Wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty, and sturdy, close-toed shoes (no sandals). A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended.
To Volunteer: All volunteers must be scheduled through the Habitat office. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, at 254-756-7575 or volunteer@wacohabitat.org to help build wheel chair ramps for those in need!
ReStore Warehouse Assistant Volunteer
Overview: The ReStore Warehouse Assistant Volunteer helps maintain the orderliness and cleanliness of the ReStore warehouse, equipment, and merchandise. Below are some common tasks that may be performed by the warehouse assistant; however, we welcome volunteers to help in whichever areas they feel most proficient.
History: The ReStore is Waco Habitat’s discount outlet store that sells new and gently used home improvement materials, home accessories and other building supplies that have been donated by well-known, quality manufacturers and retail stores as well as builders and individuals. The ReStore is open to the public, and its merchandise is discounted up to 75% off standard retail prices. All net proceeds support Waco Habitat’s mission to build affordable homes for working families.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
- Greeting and helping customers/donors and educating them about Waco Habitat
- Tackling priority projects identified by the ReStore Volunteer Coordinator and/or other staff
- Report customer and volunteer concerns to the ReStore Volunteer Coordinator
- Answer general customer/donor questions
- Load customer vehicles and unload donor vehicles
- Help organize and maintain store inventory – repackaging/labeling/measuring
Training and Support: Volunteers must participate in an orientation at the beginning of their first volunteer shift and must be 18 years of age or older.
Schedule: Tuesdays-Thursdays, full-day (9:00am-5:00pm) and half-day shifts (9:00am-1:00pm or 1:00pm-5:00pm) are available. Saturday, full-day (9:00am-3:00pm) and half-day (9:00am-12:00pm or 12:00pm-3:00pm) are available. All volunteers must schedule their shift via our online Volunteer Matrix Calendar in advance. We ask ReStore Warehouse Assistant Volunteers to commit to at least one volunteer shift per month for a period of at least 3 months.
Qualifications:
- Excellent customer service skills
- Positive and friendly attitude and a love for interacting with people
- Self-starter and ability to multi-task
- Retail experience and/or a working knowledge of building materials and home accessories is helpful
- Ability to lift 50 lbs, perform basic math functions, work in a warehouse environment, and stay on your feet for an extended period of time
- Must be at least 18 years old
To Volunteer: We ask that all of our individual volunteers participate in an orientation at the beginning of their first volunteer shift. The volunteer orientation will provide you with an understanding of Waco Habitat’s program, specifics to volunteering at the ReStore, and answer any questions you might have.
To sign up, please log onto our volunteer registration site. If you have any questions about registering for an orientation and your first shift, please contact our ReStore Volunteer Coordinator via email or at 254-756-0131.
Application Meeting Volunteers
Overview: Info Meeting Volunteers serve at monthly new home ownership information meetings by preparing the space for the meetings and/or providing childcare services for children while their parents attend these meetings.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
- Organize and breakdown both conference rooms and the lobby
- Prepare education activities for children
- Greet and sign in meeting attendees
- Report directly to the Director of Family Services
Schedule: Volunteers are needed the fourth Thursday of each month to assist the Director of Family Services in preparation for our application information meetings. We ask that Application Information Meeting Volunteers commit to a 2 hour shift from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at least 3 times a year.
Training and Support: Volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation conducted by the Homeowner Services Manager. Volunteers receive direction and support from the Homeowner Services Manager or other Waco Habitat staff. Waco Habitat provides all supplies needed for educational activities.
Qualifications:
- Youth 14-17 must have parents sign their volunteer waiver and volunteer during the same shift.
- Passion and enthusiasm for Waco Habitat’s mission
- Good customer service skills
To Volunteer: In order to sign up to volunteer, please contact our volunteer coordinator at 254-756-7575 or volunteer@wacohabitat.org if you have any questions about registering for an orientation or if you are unable to view the upcoming orientation schedule.
Family Selection Committee
Overview: The Family Selection committee works with Habitat to identify families qualified for the transition to new homeownership and an ongoing partnership with Waco Habitat.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
- Report directly to the Director of Family Services
- Organize and implement the Habitat home application process
- Identify those applicants who fit the criteria of need for shelter, ability to pay the no-interest loan, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity.
- Host informational meetings
- Conduct Family interviews
- Go on home visits to families in the application process
Schedule: Volunteers are needed one Thursday of each month for 1.5-2 hours to assist the Director of Family Services in processing housing applicants as well as a few hours a month for family visits.
Training and Support: Volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation that should be scheduled with the Homeowner Services Manager. Volunteers receive direction and support from the Homeowner Services Manager or other Waco Habitat staff. Waco Habitat provides all supplies needed for meetings and family visits.
Qualifications:
- You must be 18 or older.
- Passion and enthusiasm for Waco Habitat’s mission
To Volunteer: Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator or Homeowner Services Manager via email or at 254-756-7575 to schedule an orientation.
Family Support Committee
Overview: The Family Support Committee works with Habitat partner families through the sweat equity, home ownership education and home purchase process, and facilitates families’ transition to new homeownership and their ongoing partnership with Waco Habitat.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
- Become a Support Advocate Friend that sponsors partner families and homeowners
- Coordinate Homeowner College
- Produce Homeowner Newsletter
- Organize homeowner Christmas party
- Report directly to the Director of Family Services
Schedule: Volunteers are needed the first Tuesday of each month for their monthly meeting and are expected to make a one year commitment.
Training and Support: Volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation. Volunteers receive direction and support from the Homeowner Services Manager or other Waco Habitat staff.
Qualifications:
- You must be 18 or older.
- Passion and enthusiasm for Waco Habitat’s mission
- Ability to make a one year commitment
To Volunteer: Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator or Homeowner Services Manager via email or at 254-756-7575 to register for an orientation
Prison Partnership Lunch Provider
History: Since 2001, female prisoners from the Linda Woodman State Jail have volunteered weekly on Waco Habitat construction sites. Their participation — now at 3 days a week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday — has allowed Waco Habitat to build more homes. The prisoners provide valuable weekday assistance while learning useful skills in a supportive environment. The Prison Partnership program was designed by Habitat for Humanity International and facilitates a cooperative effort between Habitat for Humanity affiliates and correctional institutions.
Schedule: Waco Habitat needs meal providers for the Prisoner Partnership Program. If you or your organization would be willing to provide lunch for 15-20 people one day a month, this opportunity is for you! Volunteers would need to have the meal ready on their assigned day by 11:45 and have it delivered to the office. The women very much enjoy spending time with the volunteers who bring them lunch so we would love the volunteers to plan to stay for lunch.
Qualifications: Volunteers in this position would need to be flexible. Due to the situation these women have found themselves in, reliability is based on the prison. If there is a lock down or their work officer is out, they will not be able to come.
To Volunteer: Please contact our volunteer coordinator at 254-756-7575 or volunteer@wacohabitat.org if you have any questions about this opportunity.
Waco Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope.