To date we have over 300 homes under our belt, as we celebrate 25 years of providing homes for families in the St. Louis Community.

HFHSL 2011 Build Information

The planning and groundwork for the 2011 build process is in full swing! Each year, HFHSL works diligently to provide affordable housing to even more families than the previous year. However, both history and the economy have shown us that, at times, this goal can be a moving target. Numerous variables affect our build plans each year. For example, the economic climate has changed how funds are raised, and the number of families that are qualified to purchase our homes. With that said, it is always our first priority to ensure we are the best stewards of the monies entrusted to us. Therefore, we ask that you are willing to work with our need for increased flexibility, as our build schedule is tentative and subject to be altered based on the examples above. We appreciate your commitment, hard work, and understanding as we strive to achieve the American Dream in partnership with more and more families each year.

Our 2011 Build will be another new and exciting opportunity with the possibility of a build in three separate neighborhoods. HFHSL will look at building homes in three neighborhoods this year! Our goal is build a total 24-27 homes in JeffVanderLou (JVL), Old North St. Louis (ONSL), and Carondelet neighborhoods.

The goal is to build in three phases, each being in a different neighborhood. The first phase will be in JVL off N. Grand Blvd & Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Homes in the ONSL neighborhood will be south of North Market and east of N. 14th St. The final phase will take place in the Carondelet neighborhood off S. Grand Blvd. and Bates Ave.

The build schedule will consist of a 2-day blitz (Friday & Saturday) and 14 Saturdays on the back-end to complete finishing work.

Please read through the information below and click the button below to sign up for available build days.

Are you a potential individual construction volunteer?

Individual construction volunteers can be skilled or unskilled. Most importantly you must have a desire to work with your hands, be flexible, patient, have a sense of humor, and perseverance!

To volunteer on the build site, you must attend volunteer orientation prior to signing up. Visit our Volunteer Orientation page for upcoming dates. Once you have attended volunteer orientation you can sign-up online to volunteer at the build site.

Frequently Asked Questions about Construction Volunteering

How old do construction volunteers have to be?

All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. All volunteers will be required to fill out a waiver of liability for each calendar year they volunteer.

Do I need to have construction skills?

No previous construction experience is required-just a willingness to learn and work!

When can I volunteer on the build site?

Our Build Sponsors (those who provide the necessary funds and materials) have the first right of refusal. They can choose to keep their build days or donate them back to the affiliate. Once Build Sponsors are scheduled we schedule Builders' Club Teams (BC). Build days donatee back to the affilate, are then used to schedule Nonsponsoring Groups and/or individuals to ensure the build is successful!

Typically individuals are needed on Fridays, & Saturdays during a blitz weekend, and Saturdays throughout the remainder of the build, based on need and availability. We schedule everyone on a first respond, first schedule basis.

What is the time commitment asked of construction volunteers?

All volunteers must commit to working a FULL day from 7:45AM to 3PM or 3:30PM. Volunteers must arrive promptly to allow time for sign-in, house assignment, task distribution and the morning safety meeting.

What do I need to bring to the build site?

All tools, hardhats, & safety glasses are provided, however if you have your own safety equipment feel free to bring it, as it will fit you better. You should bring a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, sturdy/closed toe & heeled shoes (NO flip flops, sandals, or crocs!)

For many years, in addition to bringing their tools, talents and cooperative spirit to our build site, Habitat sponsors and volunteers also brought something else very important-their lunches! Then, in 2006, we made a critical change in our program by providing lunches for all of our volunteers. Now, as we continue to grow and evolve, we have decided to discontinue providing lunches for build site volunteers. As our volunteer numbers continue to increase annually, we are spending more than $100,000 feeding volunteers! I am sure that you would agree that these funds could be better used by supporting our program. Therefore, starting in 2012 volunteers will need to bring their own lunches on build days.

In some occasions, HFHSL will provide lunch, and/or faith-based and corporate groups may choose to provide lunch for their volunteers. When in doubt check the information on your build day sign up page, or ask your group leader. If you wish to provide lunches for your group and need assistance planning please contact Katie at katie@habitatstl.org.

Be sure to download additional information when you register for your build day!

What about inclement weather?

For inclement weather updates, please call our Construction Weather Hotline at (314) 678-4560 after 6:30AM on the morning of the scheduled work day. We ONLY update this hotline if we have to cancel or delay work. Listen for the current date. Very rarely do we cancel work. We will not build if the weather creates unsafe conditions, but we do build and work in the rain.

What if I need community service for school or for the courts?

View the Community Service page for more information.

How do I donate to the volunteer program?

As Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis builds more and more homes each year, our volunteer program continues to grow. A growing volunteer program means increased volunteer numbers, which is a great thing. However, it also equals increased costs and fees associated with maintaining the program. Our Board of Directors and development staff work extremely hard each year to ensure we raise the necessary funds to construct our homes. In our current economic times, an increase in volunteer costs and fundraising goals has become a little harder for all non-profits, including us.

In the past, we have strongly encouraged groups to donate a minimum of $5 per person to help (support and) offset the costs associated with our volunteer program, such safety equipment, and porta-potties, to name a few. While we are not requiring this fee, we do foresee that as we move forward with building more houses and having increased volunteer numbers, it is likely to become an eventual requirement of all groups and volunteers. At this time, feel free to give as your heart guides you; however, an average of $5 per person or more is encouraged.

If you would like to donate specifically to the volunteer program, your group leader should collect all donations from group members and send us one donation. Donation amounts can vary from $5 to $3,000, and can come from the group participants or the group's company or employer. Checks or money orders can be made payable to Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis or HFHSL, and sent to our administrative offices Attn: Beckie Fingland. This will allow Beckie to ensure the money is credited to the correct group and account. We ask that you do NOT bring money or other valuables to the build site with you or pets.

How do I sign up to volunteer?

You must attend Volunteer Orientation and pre-register via our online system to work at ANY construction site. To register for a build day click button below. Check back often as dates are released weekly!