How will the day go?
- 8:00 a.m. Arrive at Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, located at 1785 Stratford Avenue, Stratford, CT 06615. Enter through the Construction & Volunteer Entrance located to the left when facing our building.
- 8:30 a.m. All volunteers must be present for Opening to learn about who we are, what we do, volunteer safety, and where you will be working.
- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. You will take a break for lunch, unless you are a part of a group with extenuating circumstances.
- 2:30p.m. Clean up begins. Volunteers leave no later than 3 p.m.
What will I be doing?
- Both construction and the weather are unpredictable. You may be working on any stage of the build process (e.g. painting, siding, framing, landscaping, etc.), as we have multiple houses under construction at any given time. The plan can change as late as the morning of your Build Day, so be prepared for any type of work.
- We will have work appropriate for individuals of all experience levels – even no experience.
- Project Managers and Core Volunteers will guide you through the Build Day. Be patient and willing to learn. You are capable of more than you may think!
What do I bring?
- Water Bottle: Hydration is important regardless of the weather
- Sunscreen: We strongly recommend bringing sunscreen or applying it in advance.
- Lunch: Bring a lunch or have a place in mind to get lunch, unless you are in a group with other arrangements.
- We will provide all the tools and safety equipment that you will need. We advise that you do not bring your own tools, unless specifically granted permission from and inspected by our Director of Construction.
How can I see who has signed up for the event?
- Click the same link provided for sign-up, then click the event from the calendar to view all details. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the first name and last name initial for everyone currently signed up.
Can I arrive late or leave early due to extenuating circumstances?
- Arriving Late: Please notify us in advance if a volunteer needs to arrive late. The volunteer must first check in at Habitat CFC before going to the build site for liability reasons.
- Leaving Early: Please notify us in advance and your Project Manager once on site if a volunteer needs to leave early.
What if there is inclement weather?
- We build in all types of weather all year long! We will do everything possible to relocate you to an indoor task in the case of bad weather, but dress appropriately so you are prepared regardless.
Will there be bathrooms on site?
- Bathrooms are available at our warehouse to use in the morning, during lunchtime, or at the end of the day.
- A porta-potty will be available on each build site.
- If you are working in the panel shop or warehouse, you will have access to our bathrooms all day.
How should I dress?
- Dress for the weather and in clothing you do not mind getting stained, painted, dirty, or ruined.
- Layers are best so you are prepared to work indoors or outdoors.
- Wear puncture and slip resistant shoes.
- Bring a long-sleeve shirt in case you are assigned to insulation.
Where are the build sites?
- All our sites are within ten minutes of our facility.
Where can I park?
- Habitat CFC ReStore Lot: You may park in the ReStore parking lot on Honeyspot Road. Please park closer to the grass along the road to allow spots for our ReStore customers purchasing heavy items. The volunteer entrance is to the right of the ReStore (if facing the entrance) and around the corner on Stratford Avenue. You may enter through the glass doors.
- Build Site: We encourage carpooling to the build site, as street parking can be limited. Please do not park directly in front of the build site for safety reasons.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our Volunteer Services Coordinator at volunteer@habitatcfc.org
