Frequently Asked Questions

How old must I be in order to volunteer with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity?

All ReStore and construction volunteers must be 16 or older. Volunteers between 16 and 18 will not be allowed to use power tools or work more than 6' in the air, and they will be designated by wearing a red name tag. Those that are 15 and younger may help with signing in volunteers and serving food (while not directly on the construction site). They may also help at special events and with administrative office tasks.

What should I wear while volunteering?

On the construction or weatherization site:

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes. Layered clothing is recommended. If it is rainy or muddy, bring an extra pair of shoes to change into, and a plastic sack for your dirty shoes.

At Restore:

Dress as you would if you were working outside as the ReStore is not a controlled environment. Coats and hats are recommended in the winter. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes and clothing that is appropriate for a family-friendly environment. Obscene, drug-related logos or print, and revealing clothing is not permitted.

In the administrative office:

The dress code is office casual. We recommend blue jeans, a nice top, and closed-toed shoes.

What if I can't work my entire volunteer shift?

Although we encourage all volunteers to arrive at their shifts on time and stay until the end of their shift, we realize that other commitments may come up, and understand if you need to leave a little early. Make sure to arrive on time so that you may receive proper safety and task instructions. Please inform the volunteer coordinator, Ashley Wahlert, ahead of time if you will be leaving early so that we can plan accordingly.

What if I need to cancel my volunteer shift?

Simply sign back into the volunteer registration page and cancel within 24 hours of your shift. We also recommend that you to contact our volunteer coordinator, Ashley Wahlert.

Construction-Specific FAQs

Do I need prior construction experience to volunteer?

Absolutely not! Everyone is welcome no matter what. As long as you have a great attitude and are ready to have fun, our construction supervisors will help you along the way! We encourage all first-time construction volunteers to take the online volunteer safety training course before they build with us.

Should I bring anything?

We provide all the necessary tools. However, we encourage you to bring any work gloves, tool belts, or tools if you have them. If you choose to bring your own tools, make sure to keep track of them as we are not responsible for lost tools. We will also have water on site. Feel free to bring any additional food or drinks that you would like, as we do not serve lunch during our normal volunteer shifts.

What should I do once I get to the build site?

Sign-in to our volunteer sign-in book, fill out a name tag, and wait for instruction from a Habitat for Humanity staff member. Before you go about the daily tasks, you will receive a brief orientation and safety tutorial from a staff member. Take this time to meet other volunteers and ask our staff questions.

Click here to volunteer today!