Construction & Home Preservation volunteer FAQ
Check the weather before showing up! Closed-toe shoes are required to volunteer on any Habitat site. We recommend hiking or utility shoes with leather uppers. We suggest that you wear something you don’t mind getting dirty, such as cargo bottoms. You may be working indoors and outdoors, so dressing in layers is recommended. When snow is flying and wind chills are dropping, be sure to wear your warm winter coat, hat and gloves!
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Depending on the severity of the heat, our team has a number of tools and accommodations they can implement, such as:
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Adding fans to the worksite to provide cooling
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Taking additional breaks to prevent overheating
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Providing additional water to ensure hydration
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Re-routing volunteers to a different site that may have more shade or air conditioning
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If the heat is truly extreme – over a heat index of 103° F according to the National Weather Service – we will either re-route you to an air-conditioned site or end your shift at 1 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. We will communicate with you about any changes due to extreme weather the evening before your shift.
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All volunteers are encouraged to use their discretion to determine when their workday ends in extreme heat.
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Depending on the severity of the cold, our team has a number of tools and accommodations they can implement, such as:
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Adding propane heaters to the worksite to provide additional warmth
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Taking additional breaks to allow volunteers to warm themselves
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Re-routing volunteers to a different site that may be more enclosed or may be heated
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If the cold is truly extreme – under 10° F or if the windchill is below 0° F according to the National Weather Service, we will either re-route you to an enclosed site or cancel your shift if one is not available. We will communicate with you about any changes due to extreme cold by 7:00 a.m. the day of your shift.
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If our team determines that road conditions are unsafe for travel, we will cancel your shift and communicate with you by 7:00 a.m. the day of your shift.
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All volunteers are encouraged to use their discretion to determine when their workday ends in extreme cold and whether it’s safe for them to travel during inclement weather.
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After any visible lightning strike, volunteers and staff on-site will cease work for at least 30 minutes.
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If winds register above 30 mph according to the National Weather Service, we will stop all work involving ladders or high spaces.
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Our team has other procedures regarding infrequent extreme weather scenarios. Your construction manager will direct you if/when these situations arise. Your safety is always our top priority.
We ask that all volunteers register online by the Monday of the week before their volunteer shift. If you would like to bring someone with you, they can sign up online and click on the same volunteer opportunity and date for which you have signed up. Make sure you follow our youth policy (16 and older on a construction or Rock the Block site). Download the waiver here.
GDM Habitat for Humanity provides all necessary tools and safety equipment for the day. You are more than welcome to bring your own tools, as long as they are in good working order. Make sure to put your name on any tools you bring. We do highly recommend that our volunteers bring a water bottle for the day to stay hydrated on site. Lunch will be on your own from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.
Once you arrive at your volunteer site, a construction manager will begin with a safety talk and discuss the tasks for the day. If you ever feel uncomfortable performing a task you are assigned, talk to a construction manager; they will teach you what you need to know or help you find another task on site.
For construction, volunteers assist with framing, siding, flooring, trimming, painting, installing doors and windows, landscaping and more!
For Rock the Block, most repair projects consist of weatherizing windows, doors, and siding; building decks or ramps for easier accessibility; painting or landscaping; and much more!
Email us at volunteer@gdmhabitat.org or call (515) 471-8686 ext. 130 to let us know that you will need to cancel your volunteer shift. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel to allow time for our construction managers to accurately plan. Please include the date of your volunteer shift so we can correctly mark it in our system.
Our youth volunteer policy states that volunteers must be 16 years or older for construction and home repair sites. Youth must be accompanied by an adult (21+ yrs. old) who is responsible for them. Youth groups volunteering must have a ratio of one adult to every four youths. If a volunteer is under 18 years of age, they will have to have a parent or guardian sign their waiver before they are able to volunteer. Download the waiver here
We encourage our volunteers to arrive on site at the scheduled start time, as we begin with a meet & greet that includes information about GDM Habitat for Humanity, tasks for the day, and a safety talk from our construction managers. If you must arrive late, please contact us at volunteer@gdmhabitat.org or call (515) 471-8686 ext.130. Inform your construction manager (look for a person wearing a blue hard hat) of your arrival once you are on site, and they will fill you in on site safety and direct you to a task.
No experience? No problem! We estimate that 90% of our volunteers have never swung a hammer before. Our on-site construction managers are available the entire day to teach you anything you need to know. We want our volunteers to feel safe on site, so if there is a tool or task that you are not comfortable with, simply let your construction manager know and they will help.
Check with your employer to see if this is an opportunity for you! Typically, the employee will report their volunteer time to their employer to unlock a financial gift to the nonprofit. If your employer requires verification of your volunteer time, you may use your confirmation email from our volunteer sign-up system. If your employer needs a form filled out, please contact Emily at eparker@gdmhabitat.org.
Your Employer May Request Our Address and EIN:
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
PO Box 716
Des Moines, Iowa 50303
Employer Identification Number (EIN): 42-1275330
Before signing up for community service hours, please call our Volunteer Engagement Team at 515-218-7731 to talk through our Community Service Program.
ReStore Volunteer FAQ
Closed-toe shoes are required to volunteer with the Habitat ReStores. We suggest that you wear something that you don’t mind getting dirty. Dressing in layers is recommended, as temperatures can vary drastically between different areas in the stores.
We have lots of tasks and projects to be completed in the ReStores. Processing and cleaning donations, organizing aisles, and stocking items are just a few examples of the many activities you may be helping with. Our ReStore associates will be on hand to guide you through activities and work alongside you, as well as answer any questions you have during the shift.
The ReStores are rarely closed due to bad weather. To check to see if there is a store delay or closure, please call the Habitat Weather Hotline at 515-373-1866. If you need to cancel a shift due to weather or travel related issues, you can do so by emailing lrichter@gdmhabitat.org or by calling 515-218-7731.
We ask that all volunteers register online prior to arriving for their volunteer shift. If you would like to bring someone with you, they can sign up online and click on the same ReStore location, date, and shift time for which you have signed up. Make sure you follow our youth policy (14 and older in the ReStore). Download the waiver here.
GDM Habitat for Humanity provides all necessary tools and safety equipment for the day. You are more than welcome to bring your own tools, as long as they are in good working order. Make sure to put your name on any tools you bring. We do highly recommend that our volunteers bring a water bottle for the day to stay hydrated in the store.
Once you arrive at the ReStore, head to our back dock. One of our staff members can show you the check-in and check-out process, give you a brief tour, and get you started on projects. If at any time you feel uncomfortable performing a task you are assigned, speak with a staff member and they will teach you what you need to know, help you find another task, or answer any questions you have.
Email us at zfrank@gdmhabitat.org or call (515) 471-8686 ext. 140 to let us know that you will need to cancel your volunteer shift. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel, and include the date of your volunteer shift so that we can correctly mark it in our system.
Our youth volunteer policy states that ReStore volunteers must be 14 years or older, with one adult supervisor for every eight youths. If a volunteer is under 18 years of age, they will have to have a parent or guardian sign their waiver before they are able to volunteer. Download the waiver here.
Please arrive at the start time of the shift you selected upon sign up. This ensures that our ReStore staff know when to expect volunteers and can get you started on projects quickly when you arrive. If you must arrive late please contact us at zfrank@gdmhabitat.org or call (515) 471-8686 ext.140 to speak with a Volunteer Engagement staff member.
Check with your employer to see if this is an opportunity for you! Typically, the employee will report their volunteer time to their employer to unlock a financial gift to the nonprofit. If your employer requires verification of your volunteer time, you may use your confirmation email from our volunteer sign-up system. If your employer needs a form filled out, please contact Emily at eparker@gdmhabitat.org.
Your Employer May Request Our Address and EIN:
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
PO Box 716
Des Moines, Iowa 50303
Employer Identification Number (EIN): 42-1275330
Yes! Those who would like to fulfill any type of community service requirements are welcome to volunteer with Habitat. Individuals are required to keep track of required hours on their own, and if documentation signature is required, a member of the Volunteer Engagement team can sign off on recorded hours. Make sure to check in and out correctly when serving with our ReStores or on site, and give a minimum of 2 business days notice for a member of Volunteer Engagement to sign and return any necessary paperwork.
GDM Habitat for Humanity
95 University Ave., Suite 1
Des Moines, Iowa 50314
515-471-8686
Office Hours
Mon. – Fri. 8:00am – 4:00pm
East Euclid ReStore
2200 E. Euclid Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50317
515-650-6827
For donations, call 515-309-0224
Store Hours
Mon. – Sat. 9:00am – 6:00pm
Urbandale ReStore
4033 NW Urbandale Dr.
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
515-650-6828
For donations, call 515-309-0224
Store Hours
Mon. – Sat. 9:00am – 6:00pm