How Can I Get Involved?

The scope of Habitat's program is wide-ranging, and includes work in fundraising, education, social service, housing construction, lending and participation in Christian mission both locally and worldwide.  The success of this multi-faceted program requires volunteers having many varied interests and skills.  It is carried out through the work of several committees, each being responsible for a specific segment of the total program.  Those program elements and committees are described in the following paragraphs.

The FUND RAISING COMMITTEE coordinates the raising of funds needed for Habitat's program.  Approximately $60,000 is needed for each house built.  This amount includes funds for acquiring a lot, building a house, and sending a tithe for the work of Habitat in underdeveloped nations of the world.  Eventually, over twenty years the initial capitalization will be returned to Habitat through monthly mortgage payments from the homeowner families, but the funds are needed up front to get a house built and occupied.

The committee's work includes organizing fund-raising events and seeking donations from individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations.  A donor program called the Carpenter's Club seeks commitments to sustained giving of small and moderate size donations.  An organized campaign of seeking contributions from major donors is needed, but is not yet well established.  Working with the Fund-Raising Committee is an excellent opportunity for a person who has good ideas for fundraising and is willing to meet with potential donors and ask for their support.  We make no apology for challenging our entire community, including the affluent, to support Habitat's mission.

The PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE informs and educates the public regarding Habitat's mission and purpose, the critical need for housing for low-income families, and how Habitat attempts to meet this need.  The work of this committee includes publishing a periodic newsletter, communicating with the news media, and public speaking about Habitat as opportunities avail.

This committee serves a vital function, as we have found that people want to contribute their support when they become aware of the need and of our work.  Volunteer work with the Public Relations Committee is a valuable contribution for a person who has good communication skills, who perhaps has experience in dealing with the media, and is committed to Habitat's mission.

The FAMILY SELECTION COMMITTEE finds and selects those families qualified to be "partner families" and who will become Habitat homeowners.  Working through a selection process, the committee solicits and evaluates written applications, checks credit and other relevant information about applicant families, and conducts home visits and interviews with the families.

Though the committee may wish we could approve many more applications, we do not approve more than Habitat can serve, given the resources that we have or can acquire.  We select those families who appear best qualified on the basis of the selection criteria, which guide us in selecting those most likely to be successful as Habitat homeowners.  The Family Selection Committee is an excellent place for service by a volunteer who enjoys meeting people in the community and who can be both objective and empathetic in the selection process.

The FAMILY SUPPORT COMMITTEE provides the important service of assisting and guiding selected partner families through the process of becoming successful homeowners.  Most Habitat partner families have no experience as a homeowner, and many are unskilled in financial and home management.  The committee assists the families both informally through friendly contacts and in more formal classes and activities organized for this purpose.

Being friend and helper to a family is the special role of the "family partner," a volunteer who becomes the primary contact between the family and the Habitat organization.  The family partner works closely with the family during construction of the house and for a year or so after the family takes possession.  Serving on this committee as a family partner is an excellent contribution for a volunteer who seeks to assist families in the unfamiliar process of becoming homeowners.

The SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE targets areas in which Habitat might build, finds potential building sites, and recommends particular properties for acquisition.  An important part of our work is researching the adequacy of those properties for Habitat's use.  This research includes consideration of zoning, site development regulations, use restrictions, environmental regulations and marketable title issues related to each property.

Habitat builds quality affordable houses with low-income families, and needs to find building sites appropriate to the needs of those families. Awareness of those needs imposes restrictions as to a property's price, location, and access to public services.  Most of the properties available on the real estate market at any given time are not appropriate for Habitat's use due to these limitations. Participation on this committee is most appropriate for the volunteer who is interested or experienced in real estate, or who has contacts in the community or other sources of information about potential building sites.

The BUILDING COMMITTEE is responsible for planning and implementing the building or renovation of houses.  We develop house plans, order building materials, supervise the construction process, and contract for the service of contractors as needed.

The building of a house is the foremost symbol of Habitat's work, and the building committee puts together the tools, the building materials, the paid professional help, and volunteers of all skill levels to get the job done.  The committee is concerned with work schedules, record keeping, and job safety. Persons who have the skill to serve as crew leaders or to coordinate various aspects of construction are very much needed.  Serving on the building committee is a great contribution for a volunteer who has construction skills or who would like to be involved in this part of Habitat's program.

The VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE is responsible for recruiting volunteers and coordinating needs of the volunteers when they are at work.  River City Habitat is completely dependent upon volunteers to move its program along. The focus of the volunteer committee is to find adequate numbers of volunteers, to provide some orientation and training as needed, and to schedule volunteers having the right skills to the right place at the times they are needed.

Volunteers at all skill levels are needed.  At a work site, teaming an unskilled worker with a more skilled worker results in the unskilled worker learning new skills, and quite often they become a very effective team.  Volunteers working as part of the volunteer committee provide a valuable service in providing the help needed, for construction work as well as for other Habitat activities where volunteers are needed.

The CHURCH RELATIONS COMMITTEE develops relationships with churches and encourages them in support of Habitat's mission.  Most churches share with us a commitment to assist persons who are disadvantaged by poverty, and churches can provide much of the resource needed for this ministry: volunteer help, finances, visibility in the community, an enriched sense of Christian mission, and even help in locating the potential partner families who need our ministry.
The committee initiates contacts with churches, makes presentations to churches and church groups, and encourages support of Habitat through the Covenant Church program.  Volunteers with this committee can expect to be in contact with members and leaders of many churches of our community.

OTHER VOLUNTEER HELP is needed in addition to the committee work indicated above.  The most evident is in construction, the Re-Store.  Construction includes preparation of a building site, building a house, clean-up, and landscaping after the house is completed.  The Re-Store needs help with retail work and loading and unloading donations and helping customers with sales.  Office support is needed with the day to day administrative activities such as answering the phone.   

Volunteerism is integral to Habitat.  Volunteers used effectively save much money, which can then be used for building greater numbers of houses.  Volunteer labor is the primary element that brings the cost of a Habitat house into an affordable range for a low-income family.

The term 'volunteer' should not be confused with a particular skill level.  Volunteers include both skilled and unskilled.  Volunteers include Habitat homeowners, members of the Board of Directors, and others, at all skill levels, who are invited into the Habitat partnership.  Some volunteers come as professionals in the various building trades.

YOU ARE INVITED AND URGED TO VOLUNTEER  whether you wish to contribute some of your interest, skill, and time as a volunteer in this ministry. If you need more information, or need to discuss the matter with someone, you may call the Habitat office at 635-8439.  Or you may simply complete the following Skills and Interest Survey Form.  This form gives you opportunity to indicate those areas and times in which you can best be of service.

Finally, thank you for your interest.  Habitat work is both challenging and rewarding.  Most of all, it is part of what we believe is a Christian response to some of the needs of our community.  We urge your participation.

The International Headquarters can also put you in touch with other projects around the world. Contact River City Habitat for Humanity or International Headquarters at the following addresses:

RIVER CITY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
1420 Creek Trail Drive
Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
(573) 635-8439
info@rivercityhabitat.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
121 Habitat Street
Americus, Georgia 31709-3498
(912) 924-6935
http://www.habitat.org

River City Habitat for Humanity, is always seeking volunteers. Please take 2 minutes to fill out our Skills and Interest Survey below.

River City Habitat for Humanity Skills and Interest Survey