Volunteer Orientation

We welcome volunteers of all skill levels and we provide all the training you will need! No previous construction experience is required to volunteer with us. Please however be aware that construction is a physically demanding activity. We require every volunteer to complete a waiver before participating in any construction activity.

We offer volunteer orientation at our offices at 100 Parker Court, Chardon, OH 44024, 12180 Kinsman Rd., Newbury, OH 44065, as well as at different community facilities in the Lake and Geauga Counties, for those interested in learning more about our organization and opportunities. They are required before volunteering.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to work on at any of our construction sites, including park beautifications, and at least 18 to work on scaffolding or use power tools. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to volunteer at the ReStore.

At our construction sites and ReStore, for each group of four minors (under age 18), there must be one adult (over age 21) present. All volunteers under 18 must arrive onsite with a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian.

Street parking is limited at all job sites. We encourage volunteers to take public transportation, carpool and pay close attention to city parking restrictions

When you volunteer at one of our construction sites you will be working a full day 8-hour shift. Our park beautifications are 3 hours and our ReStore has 4-hour half day shifts, as well as 8-hour full day shifts.

No, the construction workday is non-negotiable. We ask that you stay for the entirety of the shift you signed up for. When people show up late or leave early it makes it difficult for our supervisors to properly train volunteers and accomplish the goals for the day.

Times vary depending on the job site. Please call us to learn about our current volunteer opportunities and their hours. When you register for a build day, you will receive additional information specific to your job site.

Don’t fret! We often build during the rain, but if weather conditions cause safety concerns, your build day could be canceled.  Please call 440-226-3000 (for Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity)  after 7:00 am on the morning of your build day and a recording will alert you if the build day has been canceled. If the build day has not been canceled, please bring rain gear and be prepared to work outside.

Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and closed toe/heeled shoes (athletic shoes or boots are best; please no ballet slippers, crocs, heels, clogs or sandals). The ReStore can get cool so please bring a sweater or sweatshirt.  The ReStore provides work gloves but they are often mismatched and not in the best condition. Consider bringing your own pair for maximum work comfort.

Anyone under age 18 volunteering at the ReStore must have a parent/guardian co-sign their waiver before beginning work. The minimum age for ReStore volunteers is 16 due to safety concerns. We can provide the waiver forms.

The ReStore has limited parking reserved for customers on Friday and Saturday. Please park in designated areas for staff and volunteers.

Certainly! We can accommodate groups of up to 10 people volunteering at the ReStore. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Maryellen at msundstrom@habitatgeauga.org or 440.226.3000 for more information or to schedule your group.

Every task a volunteer does help ease our operational costs, keeping our overhead cost down so more of the money received funds Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity home building projects. Nationally, the ReStore program is one of the largest sources of unrestricted funding for Habitat, second only to the mortgage repayments we receive.

Volunteers must attend an orientation and complete an interview with the ReStore Manager. ReStore Volunteers make a minimum of a three-month commitment

Though we cannot offer lunch, we do have a break room with a microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker and usually, we provide snacks but volunteers can always bring their own lunch.

YES! Volunteers are needed at the ReStore Wednesday-Saturday from 8-4. Shifts run from 9-1 and 1-5.

No, but our prices are already low. However, merchandise must be available to the public for two working days before a volunteer may purchase it.

Contact the ReStore to find out where you can help. We can use all sorts of skills: plumbing to artistic talent to everything in between.

Yes! We need regular office volunteers to help with database administration, our online accounts and answering the phone. Also, our cashiers stay at the register, greet customers and ring up purchases.

If there is any reason you are unable to volunteer for a time you signed up for please contact the ReStore as soon as possible. Contact us at 440.226.3212.

The ReStore does not provide lockers to store personal items but volunteers are responsible for the items that they bring.

Everyone must sign the Volunteer Agreement, Assumption of Risk, and Release Liability Form each workday before they are allowed to begin work. Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity is required to have a record of your participation for legal, insurance, and statistical purposes.