Come join South Puget Sound Habitat for a day of building on our construction sites! SPS Habitat is a volunteer driven organization serving families and communities in Thurston County. By working alongside our dedicated construction team, regular volunteers, and partner families you will help us build Habitat houses while having a great time learning construction skills. With your help on the construction site, from the foundation to the finishing touches, we can make affordable housing in the Thurston County a reality. We look forward to building with you.
No previous construction skills are expected. SPS Habitat will provide skilled construction staff to train volunteers and supervise construction. All tools, safety equipment, and building materials needed for the day will be provided. Must be at least 18 years old. Contact us to find out our upcoming construction volunteer schedule and reserve your spot at the next build day.
Construction
Habitat homes are built with 80% volunteer labor. We depend on individuals like you who are willing to come out and swing a hammer on the construction site to build homes and a lasting future for families in need. No construction experience is necessary. We provide you with all of the tools and training necessary on site.
What to Expect on the Construction Site
A Typical Workday:
Our sites work from 9:00 AM to 3:00PM (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Please arrive at your work site at 8:45am to sign-in. There will be a short safety briefing after all volunteers have signed in.
We build new homes from the floor system to the roof, as well as work on existing homes that need repairs. Depending on the need at the time, you will be assigned one or more tasks for the day.
Worksites:
Our current worksite is in Lacey, WA at our Deyoe Vista Development. You will receive the address of your meeting site location at least one week prior to your date, by email.
Skills:
You will be working with a Habitat for Humanity member. If you have previous experience with a certain skill and would like to utilize it please inform your supervisor. However, this does not ensure that you will be doing this line of work. Also, please inform your supervisor if you have any physical limitations, safety concerns, or are uncomfortable in any situation. Throughout the day if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask one of the Habitat staff. We recognize many of our volunteers may have little or no construction experience, and we hope to make this a learning experience for everyone.
Dress:
You are required to wear closed-toed, close-heeled shoes (i.e. no sandals). Long Pants are required, no shorts.
As a reminder, please remember that your clothes will likely become dirty. The weather fluctuates frequently, so please stay informed of weather conditions. If it is sunny, you may wish to bring sunglasses and sunscreen with you; if it is rainy, you may wish to bring a rain jacket.
In case of rain:
If the weather forecasts rain for your volunteer date, please continue to report to the work site in the morning. Often volunteers are assigned to indoor tasks or to assist with protecting buildings and/or tools from the rain. It is very rare that we cancel a work day; however, if this is the case we will do so on the work site that morning.
Lunch:
From 11:30 to 12:30 we will break for lunch. Lunch will be provided for you but if you have dietary restrictions you may bring your own lunch with you, or choose to leave the site and eat lunch nearby.
Water:
Please bring a refillable water bottle with you to the work site. Water Coolers/ Water bottles are provided. Stay hydrated during the day!
Transportation:
Volunteers are required to find their own transportation to and from the site. Transportation will not be provided for you.
Volunteer Orientation and Paperwork:
All volunteers must complete an application prior to volunteering, click here to submit a volunteer application. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected] with questions or to schedule your orientation.
New COVID-19 Waiver – Click here to review our new Novel Coronavirus Volunteer Waiver