volunteer handbook

home construction healthy homes vulnerable populations

volunteer handbook

Welcome to Habitat for HumanityDriven by the vision that everyone needs a

decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity

began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a

community farm in southern Georgia. The

Christian housing organization has since grown

to become a leading global nonprofit working in

more than 1,300 communities throughout the

U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families

and individuals in need of a hand up partner

with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a

place they can call home. Habitat homeowners

help build their own homes alongside

volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

Through financial support, volunteering or

adding a voice to support affordable housing,

everyone can help families achieve the

strength, stability and self-reliance they need to

build better lives for themselves.

About Habitat for

Humanity of Jefferson

County

Established in 1976, Habitat for Humanity of

Jefferson County is a non-profit organization

that builds simple, decent, affordable housing

with the help of volunteer labor, as well as

donated funds, time and materials. Founded

in 1976 and incorporated in 1979, HFH of

Jefferson County is the sixth oldest Habitat

affiliate in the United States, and have built

over 125 homes, housing over 500 people.

HFH of Jefferson County services the area in

southeast Texas known as the ”Golden

Triangle”, which spans from Beaumont, to

Orange and down to Port Arthur.

According to the United States Census

Bureau, in 2017 approximately 20% of

Jefferson County and 14% of Orange County

were living below the poverty line in 2016.

As a community, the Golden Triangle saw

great devastation after Hurricane Harvey

ripped through the county on August 28,

2017. No one was prepared for the sheer

volume of water that was dumped in such a

short amount of time. More than 60 inches of

rain fell within a five day period, which

represents the area’s yearly total rainfall

average. Hurricane Harvey damaged than

110,000 homes in Jefferson and surrounding

counties, with an estimated $125 billion in

damages, and took the lives of nineteen people.

volunteer handbook

Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County - Highlights

Since 1976 Habitat for Humanity of

Jefferson County has served over 125

families through new home construction,

home rehabilitation and home repair

throughout the Golden Triangle.

Habitat provides a hand up, not a hand out,

with each home being sold at no profit, with a

no-interest mortgage to local families who

otherwise would likely not be able to obtain or

afford a conventional mortgage.

Partner families contribute 300 hours of "sweat

equity" by helping in the construction of their

own homes and the homes of other partner

families alongside Habitat staff and volunteers,

in addition to working in the ReStore,

administrative office and at special events.

Volunteers are the heart of our organization

and support every aspect of our work bringing

affordable housing to families in our community.

Thank you for spending your time supporting

Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County.

volunteer handbook

Habitat homeownership

To become a homeowner with HCHJC, applicants

must meet the following requirements:

1) Live or work in the Golden Triangle for at least 1 year

2) Annual household income falls below 80% of Area Median

Income based on HUD guidelines (shown in chart)

3) Current housing demonstrates one or more of the following

characteristics:

• Substandard – problems with heat, water,

electricity or structure

• Inadequate – not suited for a family member

who has limitations

• Dangerous – located in unsafe or unsanitary

conditions

• Overcrowded

• Temporary

• Too expensive

4) Household demonstrates an ability to repay a 0% interest

mortgage based on income and debt-to-income ratios, as

well as a history of consistent, timely monthly payments

*Those approved for Habitat’s homeownership program must

also participate in a series of homeownership courses including

budgeting, mortgage basics, homeowner’s insurance, home

maintenance, etc.

Family Size

80% of AMI

OneTwo

ThreeFourFiveSix

SevenEight

$29,200$33,360$37,520$41,680$45,040$48,400$51,760$55,040

volunteer handbook

About the project

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS

Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County is

currently building single family homes in the

Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange. The homes

vary from 2-4 bedrooms in size, and are all

designed and built to meet established

requirements for energy efficient affordable

housing.

Depending on the stage of new construction,

volunteers can expect to:

• raise SIPs panels

• frame and raise interior walls

• install windows and doors

• install siding

• paint

• lay flooring

• install cabinets

• trim

• landscape

1) Design

• Architecture/Planning – HCHJC draws from 5

different sets of house plans for two, three

and four bedroom single-story homes. The

use of these plans varies based on the size of

the family. HCHJC uses a Structural Insulated

Panel System (SIPs) ensuring durability and

energy efficiency.

• Materials – Locally sourced materials and

labor are used whenever possible. HCHJC

also receives discounted and donated

insulation materials from the DOW

Corporation; paint from Valspar; appliances

from Whirlpool; and meter bases, electrical

panels and breakers from Square D.

• Location – The sites are located within the

Golden Triangle in close proximity to

numerous schools and other local resources.

2) Durability

• Energy-efficiency – Homes are built to high

energy standards. Homes are inspected and

tested throughout the building process to

ensure an efficient living environment. These

measures increase the sustainability of the

home, decrease energy waste and ensure

affordable utility bills.

• Safety – Structurally materials are durable

enough to allow safe refuge and exit in case

of a natural disaster.

3) Secure Tenure

• Land and property ownership and/or use

rights for buildings or locations are

established prior to occupation and permitted

use is agreed as necessary.

volunteer handbook

About the trip – before you leaveWORKSITE EXPECTATIONS

The site supervisors want you to feel

comfortable asking questions and will work to

meet your comfort level.

When on site please remember:

• Proper lifting techniques

• Power tools should not be utilized without

proper instruction, inspection and safety

gear.

• Tools should be clean and in good

condition prior to use.

• Personal protective equipment is available

and encouraged when using tools.

• Ladders and scaffolding should be level, in

good repair and set up properly. Check to

ensure no obstacles are in the area that

will interfere with the equipment.

Job-site Standards

• Potable water is provided on the build site

for all volunteers.

• Portable toilets are located on site for

volunteer use. It is serviced weekly to

maintain good sanitation.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

The climate of southeast Texas is humid

subtropical. The summers are long, hot and

oppressive, and the winters are short and

mild. Summer usually lasts from late May

until late September, and winter lasts from

late November to mid February.

August is the hottest month in southeast

Texas, with an average temperature of 92°F

and the coldest is January at 44°F.

Jefferson County Average Temperature by month

Jefferson County Average Rainfall by month

Jefferson County Average Climate by month

volunteer handbook

Recommended Packing List

We advise you to travel light and bring only what is necessary for the trip.

For the Work Site:

• Sturdy close-toed shoes – tennis shoes are fine (no sandals!)

• Old clothing that can get dirty

• Extra layers during colder months

• Hat or bandana for sun protection

• Water bottle

• Day pack or small bag

• Raincoat or poncho that can get dirty

• Sunscreen/sunglasses

For Free Time:

• Comfortable shoes for walking/hiking

• Casual clothing for daytime or evening activities

Optional:

• Personal work gloves

• Eye protection

• Camera and extra batteries

• Insect repellent

• Alarm clock

• Reading and writing materials/journal

• Photos to share with you new friends

volunteer handbook

About the trip – upon arrival

AT THE AIRPORT

For those flying, plan to arrive at either Bush

Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston Hobby

Airport (HOU), or Jack Brooks Regional

Airport (BPT). IAH and HOU are located

approximately 100 miles away in Houston,

and will take approximately 1.5 hours to travel

to Beaumont by car. BPT is our regional

airport, and is serviced by American Airlines.

Your team leader will designate which airport

your team will be using and will meet you at

the airport to transport you to your

accommodations for the week.

For those driving, your team leader will

provide you with the arrival time and address

to your lodging.

TRANSPORTATION

Your team leader will rent either a 15

passenger van or mini-vans for use

throughout your trip. Team leaders will pick

up participants from the airport and transport

you to your accommodations on your arrival

day. This will also be used to transport the

team to and from the job site as well as

around town and to and from cultural and

community activities.

LODGING

The team will stay a local hotel. Based on

availability, the team leader will designate

which hotel the team will be staying at.

Options include the MCM Elegante, Quality

Inn, Candlewood, Holiday Inn Express and La

Quinta.

MEALS

Meals will vary slightly from day to day.

Breakfast will be provided at the hotel, and

the affiliate will provide lunch on build days.

Dinner will be at local restaurants, with the

exception of the Welcome Dinner.

volunteer handbook

Cultural Experiences

Gator Country

• Largest Alligator Adventure

Park/Sanctuary in Southeast Texas

• We house over 450 American alligators,

crocodiles, and many different reptiles that

we have received through nuisance rescues,

donations, or from other institutions. We work

with our local and state authorities and the

general public. We also work with schools and

universities by providing educational and

internship programs.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens

• Nestled within 252 acres in the heart of

Orange, Texas, Shangri La Botanical Gardens

and Nature Center is a program of the Nelda

C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, a

private foundation whose mission is to

improve and enrich the quality of life in

Southeast Texas and encourage and assist

education. The unique ecosystem of Shangri

La presents an ideal opportunity to further that

mission as well as carry on the vision of H.J

Lutcher Stark, the man who originally

developed it more than 60 years ago.

Museum of the Gulf Coast

• The Museum’s 39,000 square foot facility

contains many exhibits which capture the

essence of life along the Upper Gulf Coast.

Visitors marvel at our 125-foot mural depicting

our history from the prehistoric era to the

discovery of oil at Spindletop.

• Our Hall of Fame galleries highlight local

musicians, athletes, and notable people who

have achieved national or international

recognition such as Janis Joplin, the Big

Bopper, Jimmy Johnson, Major “Tom” Collins,

actress Evelyn Keyes, and artist Robert

Rauschenberg. The museum also features a

wide variety of temporary exhibitions.

volunteer handbook

Safety on the work site

• No alcohol or drugs are permitted on site at

any time. Volunteers who need prescription

drugs (inhalers, etc.) should make sure

they have a sufficient supply on site.

• Wear sun screen of a suitable factor and

reapply it throughout the day.

• Wear appropriate clothing for the tasks

involved.

• Drink plenty of water — at least 2 liters a

day, even more when it is hot.

• Wear your hard hat at all times on site,

except in designated break areas.

• Proper gloves can protect your hands

from:

Cuts when carrying sharp-edged

materials and equipment.

Skin irritation from cement, paint, lime

wash and other chemicals.

Getting a corn while working with the

tools for long time.

• Wear ear protection when:

Any equipment is being used nearby

that may cause damage to your ears.

Heavy machinery is working nearby

you for prolonged time.

• Wear a face mask when:

You understand the mask type and its

designation.

Using chemicals, painting lime wash,

mixing cement.

Scraping old paints and sanding the

items to smooth.

• Wear eye protection when:

You or someone nearby is using a

hammer, chisel or planer.

You or somebody next to you is using

any type of power tool.

Using lime wash or chemicals or

mixing or pouring cement.

• Wear proper footwear at all times:

Open-toed shoes are forbidden on the

site.

Footwear must be covered and hard-

soled.

Steel-toed safety boots must be worn

in demolition works.

• When lifting an item:

Know your capacity and weight limits.

Ask your site supervisor.

Keep legs slightly apart, bend the

knees, keep the back straight.

Grab by both hands, and lift with the

legs, not the back.

volunteer handbook

Gift Giving Guidance

As volunteers work with your affiliate they may witness the great needs of your

homeowners or community, and feel compelled to give gifts. It is important that we

communicate to our volunteers the unintended consequences of gift giving, and adhere

to Habitat’s guidance.

Gift giving, while often well intended, can run counter to the purposes of Habitat’s goal of

empowering families and communities. It may lead to other conflicts within your affiliate’s

development activities and relationships with your local partners, and create situations

where others in the community become upset because they feel left out.

We do understand that relationships will be made, and in an effort to ensure consistency,

we ask that you have all volunteers please strictly adhere to the following guidelines:

• Do not give gifts to individuals. Volunteers should work with your affiliate staff to

decide how to best share gifts with the homeowners or community. This sends a clear

message that all the families in the community are valued. Gifts should be given out at

the end of the build or at the farewell celebration.

• Ask your affiliate for recommendations on what to give. Although your volunteers

may want to give gifts, they may not know what would be the most appropriate or

useful to your homeowners or community. It may be good to have a list handy of what

items you think would be best. Examples could include, cleaning products for the

home, smaller tools for home maintenance, or even books for the children. The

affiliate may have a wish list of items that can be donated.

• Never offer to give money, especially to make a mortgage payment.

11

volunteer handbook

Thrivent Builds Worldwide

volunteers’ experiences

“As we were saying goodbye to the new homeowner, she

hugged me for a long time and I did not know what she was

saying, but with tears in her eyes she repeatedly put her hand

over her heart. I knew she was expressing her love and

gratitude even if I could not understand the words.”

— Sue F.

Thrivent Builds Worldwide volunteer 2017

“Our first day on the site was spent digging the trenches

for the house. We were covered in dirt and were hot and

sweaty. As we were leaving that day we saw our family's

dad and their six year old son still loading dirt into a

wheelbarrow. The son said to us: "See you tomorrow!

Thank you for digging my house!" And that right there, is

when I knew this was the reason we were supposed to be

there.”

— Trisha D.

Thrivent Builds Worldwide volunteer 2017

“I helped build a stove for a family with two young children. The

family had previously been cooking their food over an open fire

in a shed outside their home. I helped make mud, helped the

mason with the brick work and played with the children. Then

we all got to eat lunch together on their property. I sat next to

the family and although we did not speak the same language,

their gratitude was apparent. I was proud to be a part of this

major change in their lives.”

— Tara M.

Thrivent Builds Worldwide volunteer 2017

“We poured a concrete floor in the home of Rosa, a 73

year old woman who had lived her entire life there on that

dirt floor. She said ‘this makes my life complete.’ We

bought her a broom to sweep her new floor, something

that had never been necessary before. Unforgettable.”

— Stephen R.

Thrivent Builds Worldwide volunteer 2018

Photographed by: Brian Wolowicz

makes a differenceevery hand