Habitat For Humanity of Omaha

Habitat Omaha construction sites are open to volunteers year-round Wednesday - Saturday. Volunteers work full days shift from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm. On the day of your build arrive at our main office, 2204 Ames Avenue, at 8:00 am for directions to your build site. Volunteers must sign up for a build day at least 48 hours in advance either by phone or by registering at habitatomaha.volunteerconnect.com. No special skills are required.  Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

For more information contact us at volunteer@habitatomaha.org.

Do you know how to perform basic construction tasks? Do you like working with groups? We need your help in making sure volunteers have a great experience on the construction site, learn new skills and – of course – build a beautiful home! Crew and Support Leaders supplement our construction staff and make it possible for us to build bigger and better. For more information contact Turner Morgan at tmorgan@habitatomaha.org.

Join the Habitat for Humanity of Omaha Global Village Trip to Paraguay November 2-10, 2013.

Discover another culture while giving a hand up to Paraguayan families in need as we work alongside our hosts in building decent, affordable housing. Our trip itinerary is balanced with work, rest, and cultural experiences. No construction experience is necessary. Only a positive attitude and flexibility are required.

This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something truly meaningful, discover a new culture and new friends, and learn some new things about yourself, too.

For more information, contact Volunteer Leader, Don Browers at globalvillage@habitatomaha.org or Habitat Omaha's Global Village Coordinator, Tracie McPherson tmcpherson@habitatomaha.org. Please include "Paraguay" in the subject line.

Habitat Omaha FRIENDS is a volunteer group dedicated to the advancement and growth of the organization through fundraising and friend raising efforts. Visit the Habitat Omaha FRIENDS page to learn more about the group and to become a member today.

A HabiTour is the perfect opportunity to learn about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha's mission and efforts in the community. Join us for a HabiTour on the third Wednesday of the month, March - October, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. The tour will begin with a brief overview of the organization and mission at our main office on 2204 Ames Avenue. Participants will watch a short film which highlights how Habitat operates firsthand, and hear about the experience of the homeownership process from a Habitat Omaha homeowner's point of view. Lunch will be provided by Habitat for Humanity of Omaha ReStore. After lunch you will take a short bus tour of our Builders Blitz and Women Build sites as well as build sites under construction. Save your spot now by visiting our online Meetings & Events Calendar. Contact Aly Eveland at aeveland@habitatomaha.org or (402) 884.7832, with questions.

Great for schools and youth groups, Nickels for Nails is a service-learning program that gives you the chance to make change, with change. By collecting nickels, dimes and quarters you will help end poverty housing in our community. It’s hard to believe, but even the smallest amount can make a difference. One nickel buys one nail. It takes about 5,520 nails or $276 to build one house. You decide if you want to raise enough for 1, 2, 3 or more houses. We’ll let you do the math!

Habitat provides all the program materials. Through presentations and hands-on activities, participants learn about the need to end poverty housing right here in Omaha. For more information contact Aly Eveland, aeveland@habitatomaha.org or (402) 884-7832.

Construction isn't your thing? We have occasional opportunities in the office for data entry, mailings, filing and light housekeeping. For more information contact us at volunteer@habitatomaha.org.

Habitat ReStore has three goals: to help build more homes, to help the environment and to help other homeowners. It accomplishes these goals by recycling and reusing saleable building materials; generating funds to build more Habitat Omaha homes; and providing new and used home improvement materials at affordable prices to people of all income levels.

Volunteers at Habitat ReStore run the cash register, answer phones, help with yard work, light house keeping, customer service and help load/unload trucks of donations – all critical pieces toward accomplishing the store’s three-fold mission! Omaha has two Habitat ReStore locations--one is at 1003 South 24th Street, one block south of Leavenworth, and the other is at 10930 Emmet Street, northwest of 108th and Maple Streets. For more information visit habitatomaha.org/ReStore or call Habitat ReStore at (402) 934.1033.

Women Build is an all-women coalition that builds homes in partnership with hardworking, low-income families. The coalition is comprised of all kinds of women, from all walks of life including moms, daughters, aunts, co-workers and friends. Many of the women are first time builders. Experience is not required. On May 10, 2013 the Women Builders will kick-off the 2013 season. This year the Women Build will complete a full house renovation at 4125 N 18th Street and we need all the help we can get. The coalition will work Thursday and Friday each week throughout the summer. View available volunteer shifts and register at habitatomaha.volunteerconnect.com. If you have questions or would like to find out about bringing a group to volunteer contact Lori at womenbuild@habitatomaha.org.

The new Habitat Omaha Young Professionals group is comprised of people who are passionate about fighting poverty in our community. The focus of the group is advocacy, volunteering and fundraising. This is a great opportunity for visionaries and organizers looking to get in on the ground floor of something new, in partnership with a widely-known nonprofit organization. For more information contact Kathy Wells or check out the Habitat Omaha Young Professional's page.

I want to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. How do I get involved?
It's easy! We offer several ways to sign up to volunteer. Register any hour of the day at habitatomaha.volunteerconnect.com. There you can create an account, pick your days, and print the forms needed to become a Habitat Omaha volunteer. If you prefer, you can also contact us at (402) 884-7820 or  volunteer@habitatomaha.org.

Is there an orientation I can attend?
Yes! We ask all volunteers to attend an orientation meeting the day they volunteer to build. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how you can help, important information about volunteering, and the work of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha.

What kind of work will I do at the construction site?
Though we'll try to let you know what you'll be doing before your work day arrives, weather and other factors make predicting construction work a challenge. Some examples of what you might do include the following:

• Framing
• Roofing
• Installing insulation
• Landscaping
• Painting
• Light cleaning
• Loading and unloading materials

Whatever job you're assigned, make sure you're comfortable with it. If you are unable to complete a task, or feel uneasy (not everyone wants to be on the roof), tell your crew leader. You'll either be given another project or asked to break for a bit while crew leaders prepare for the next phase.

Do I need construction experience to help build?
No! It's great if you have construction skills but certainly not necessary. Your crew leader for the day will ensure that you receive training for the task at hand. Before you know it, you'll have picked up handy new skills you can use next time you volunteer.

For those who do have expertise in some aspect of construction, let us know. Though we can't guarantee that we'll have work in that area on the day you'd like to volunteer, we'll certainly do everything we can to put your skills to good use.

What should I wear?
If you're volunteering on a construction site or at Habitat for Humanity of Omaha ReStore, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty, torn, or even ruined. Closed-toe shoes are a must, so put on your sneakers or work boots. Dress weather-appropriate. If the weather is cold, be sure to dress in layers and bring a hat and gloves. Too much clothing is better than not enough.

If you're volunteering at our office, staff members wear business casual. We just ask that you refrain from wearing overly revealing or offensive clothing.

What should I bring?
Lunch, a snack, and a bottle of water to get you through the day.

Tools. You are welcome to bring your personal tools. Please make sure to label them! We suggest bringing:  

• Hammer (at least 16 oz.)
• Tape measure
• Nail apron or tool belt
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Hard hat

If you don't have the above items, don't worry. The tools you need will also be available at the construction site. Other items like sun block, hat, sunglasses, and a camera all will come in handy.

What will I do at Habitat Omaha ReStore?
Habitat Omaha ReStore volunteers can help with the following:

• Organizing
• Light cleaning
• Loading and unloading trucks with donated items
• Customer service
• Answering phones

To volunteer at the ReStore, call (402) 934-1033.

What will I do at the office?
To volunteer at Habitat Omaha ReStore, visit habitatomaha.volunteerconnect.com and schedule yourself for a shift, or call (402) 934-1033.

How old do I have to be to volunteer?
For construction volunteers, everyone must be 16 years of age or older. At Habitat Omaha ReStore, volunteers must be 14 or older. If you are younger than 14, don't give up. Contact us, because other opportunities do come up for all ages.

For more information about volunteering with Habitat Omaha contact Tammie Dodge at tdodge@habitatomaha.org.