Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I volunteer?
• When are the Volunteer Orientations?
• Can I bring a group?
• What is the purpose of the Home Store?
• What positions are available at the Home Store?
• When is the store open?
• Do you have to be 16 to volunteer at the Home Store?
• Do I need building experience to volunteer on a construction site?
• When do you build?
• Where is Asheville Habitat building?
• How can I schedule a day on a construction site?
• What are the hours on a construction site?
• What should I wear to the construction site?
• What should I bring to the construction site? Should I bring tools?
• What if it is raining?
• Who will show me what to do?
• Can minors work on the construction site?
• How can I direct comments and/or suggestions regarding my volunteer experience?
• How can I sign up to volunteer on the Women Build project?

How do I volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering, please register for the one hour Volunteer Orientation. You can call our office at 828-251-5702 or send an email to Beth Russo, Volunteer Coordinator.
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When are the Volunteer Orientations?
New volunteers are encouraged to attend an orientation to learn more about Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and how to get involved. One hour orientations are held at the Asheville office on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Our office is located at 30 Meadow Road, in the same building as our Home Store. Please click here to register.
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Can I bring a group?
Groups from faith communities, corporations, educational organizations and community groups are all welcome to volunteer with Asheville Area Habitat.  Group opportunities are available at the Home Store and at the job site.  Group size depends on when and where your group can be scheduled to work. 
For more information, please visit the Group Volunteering page.
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What is the purpose of the Home Store?
The purpose of the store is to generate funds to build more Habitat House. Last year, the Home Store provided enough funds to build 6 Habitat houses.
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What positions are available at the Home Store?
Volunteers help in all aspects of running the Home Store – receiving donations, preparing items for sale, running the cash register and various customer service duties. Please visit the Volunteering at the Habitat Home Store page for more information.
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When is the store open?
The Home Store is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Volunteer hours may vary.
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Do you have to be 16 to volunteer at the Home Store?
Yes. All volunteers with Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity must be 16 years or older.
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Do I need building experience to volunteer on a construction site?
No prior construction experience is required to be a Habitat volunteer.
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When do you build?
We build year-round.
The construction site is open Monday through Saturday.
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Where is Asheville Habitat building?
We currently are building at our Enka Hills sub-division in West Asheville.
For more details about current sites, please visit the Where We Build - Current page.
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How can I schedule a day on a construction site?
After attending an orientation, an individual can schedule a work day by contacting Beth Russo, Volunteer Coordinator, at (828) 251-5702 or brusso@ashevillehabitat.org.  Some days are busier than others, so volunteers need to schedule time in advance.
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What are the hours on a construction site?
The workday starts at 8:15 am and ends at 3:30 pm. Volunteers need to arrive at the worksite by 8:15 am. It is critical for volunteers to arrive on time! Late arrivals may cause delays in the start of the workday, thus delaying the overall construction schedule. Due to the nature of the tasks at the construction site, volunteers are expected to work for the entire day.
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What should I wear to the construction site?
Wear sturdy shoes and work clothes. We suggest work/hiking boots, jeans, a t-shirt and possibly a sweatshirt. Be aware that much of the work is outdoors, so dress appropriately for the weather.
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What should I bring to the construction site? Should I bring tools?
We ask that volunteers bring a brown bag lunch and water. Asheville Habitat provides the basic tools and power tools you will be using. If you prefer, you may bring your own basic hand tools. Please label your tools clearly. We recommend a hammer, tape measure, pencil, square and nail pouch.
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What if it is raining?
We work in all types of weather, but in the event of severe weather like snow, ice or rain, work may be delayed. Please call the Habitat construction trailer at (828) 665-4900 after 7:30 a.m. for a recorded message regarding any schedule changes.
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Can minors work on the construction site?
Due to state laws, volunteers must be 16 years old to work on the construction site. All minors under the age of 18 must have completed a waiver signed by their parent or guardian. [Download Minor Waiver in PDF form.].
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Who will show me what to do?
The Construction Supervisors have years of experience building our homes. They will do their best to ensure you have a fun, meaningful and safe experience.
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How do  I direct any comments and/or suggestions regarding my volunteer experience?
Please direct all comments and inquiries to Beth Russo, Volunteer Coordinator. She can be reached at (828) 251-5702 or brusso@ashevillehabitat.org.
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