volunteer

sign up to join the Habitat team on site or behind the scenes

Lend a hand to make a difference

Ninety percent of the work it takes to build a Habitat home is done by volunteers, both on-site and off-site. Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity volunteer experience is like no other. It is a tangible result with immediate impact. Volunteers founded Franklin Hampshire Habitat as Pioneer Valley Habitat in 1989 and to this day remain an integral part of our operation and success. Our volunteer program is vast, offering many opportunities for many skill sets. See our Volunteer FAQ page to learn more.

volunteer process

All volunteers must create a volunteer account on our Better Impact site, complete two mandatory trainings, and be manually approved by a staff member before signing up to volunteer. Please check out our welcome guide for step-by-step instructions, and don’t hesitate to reach out to 413-586-5430 x104 or email volunteer@pvhabitat.org with questions!

Register

Training

Approval & Volunteering

Construction (and construction hospitality) volunteers can sign up for available shifts on Better Impact as soon as they’ve completed the three steps above. Click on the OPPORTUNITIES tab in Better Impact to see available shifts in list or calendar view, sort by job site or date, and reserve your spot!

Potential event, office, leadership, or committee volunteers should take all three steps above, and speak with our Community Engagement Coordinator to get matched up with the opportunity that best fits your skills and interests – learn more about all non-construction and leadership opportunities below! Call 413-586-5430 x104 or email volunteer@pvhabitat.org.

All volunteers and staff are expected to comply with our Respiratory Illness Policy (updated as of January 30, 2025) at all Habitat job sites and indoor spaces.

construction

We always welcome new construction volunteers! Whether you’re an experienced pro or brand new to building, there is a place for you on a Habitat job site. Not sure what to expect? Check out our Volunteering FAQ and learn more about roles on the Habitat job site.

team builds

Give your team the opportunity to give back and do good work together! Teams, companies and others interested in volunteering as a group should contact the office about our Team Build program. Groups of 4 to 8 can sponsor a day of construction ($800 per day, $300 for school groups) and build together. Individual orientation not required.

women build

In the tradition of Habitat for Humanity’s International Women Build Week, our affiliate offers monthly Women Build Days. Women Build days center around a Sunday afternoon community build day, which is a great introduction to a typical Habitat volunteer day. All Women Build days are available to the general public and follow the same sign-up process as regular construction volunteering, with an emphasis on a majority of the attendees be anyone who self-identifies as a woman or individual of any gender historically underrepresented in construction. All are welcome to participate!

Want to see other affinity builds? Fill out this survey to let us know what other groups you’d like to see highlighted through volunteer days!

committees

Committees meet via Zoom and do much of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Habitat running on the job site and beyond.

The building committee meets monthly to discuss PVHH building policy and foster dialogue between build teams for specific construction sites. People with experience in the building trades, architecture or a history of volunteering with Habitat on the construction site wanted.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee works to promote and maintain a culture of equity, inclusiveness, and proactive anti-racism in our organization and community.

  • People of color, LGBTQ+ people, those with disabilities, experience living with low-incomes and other lived experience strongly encouraged to share their insights and leadership.
  • White people and those in positions of privilege are also welcome to join in effort to support this important work, and must be willing to seek knowledge with humility and listen to the lived experiences of others.

Family Selection Committee recruits potential homeowners, encourages them to apply, and determines whether applicants are eligible to be homeowners, eventually resulting in the selection of a family for a home.

  • Mortgage loan originators and underwriters highly desired. Social workers / teachers / public service workers / marketing experts also needed
  • Online training and background check required (2-10 hours of online training depending on position)
  • Must be discreet and trustworthy

Family Support Committee mentors homeowners in their transition from rental tenant to homeowner.

  • Long-time homeowners / teachers/ social workers / lawyers / condo experience
  • Must be patient, thoughtful, able to give clear directions, answer lots of questions, and advocate for their mentee
  • At least 2-3 year commitment to be with the homeowner from construction phase through 1 year after closing
  • Plan home dedication parties for new homeowners

Time commitment varies with position.

The Finance Committee reviews financial statements, advises on fiscal policy and helps with cash flow analysis.

  • Familiarity with financial statements, accounting and/or business management

The Hospitality Committee is a great way for volunteers to connect with the construction site without swinging a hammer.  Hospitality volunteers provide snacks or beverages to show appreciation for the construction volunteers on the job site.  This peer support model embodies the spirit of generosity and service that is a core of the Habitat model.

  • Willingness and ability to contribute and deliver store bought or homemade treats for volunteers.
  • Attend monthly zoom meetings with the committee and sign up for shifts as available.

Looking for leadership to start a landscaping committee to support the future homeowners and construction volunteers in making smart, simple choices regarding landscaping.

The Safety Committee works to support a culture of safety on the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity work sites through the creation of policies as well as practical on site initiatives and training.  Construction safety has been the primary focus of the committee, but it has been expanded to include discussion of Covid-19 safety practices as well.

  • Background or knowledge in OSHA practices, construction, medicine, law and practical on-site safety implementation is helpful

The site evaluation committee, affectionately known as the site squad, helps evaluate and research future build sites for suitability for PVHH builds.  The PVHH board of directors makes all final acquisition decisions – but relies on the expertise of this committee.  Looking for committee members with:

  • Experience with land development – wetlands, construction, landscape design, realtors, etc
  • History buffs who would like to research the stories behind the land
  • Good organizational skills and the ability to synthesize information with Excel and in writing

special leadership roles

Board Members serve in partnership with the rest of the Board to provide legal and moral leadership and responsibility for all  affiliate operations. Board members support the activities of operating committees, and are solely responsible for determining affiliate policy in areas of human resources, planning, finance, community relations, and organizational operations and administration.

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity has an open application process for Board positions, generally in the late summer each year. We encourage applications from people with lived experience with housing insecurity and individuals who identify as women, people of color, or individuals identifying as LGBTQ+.

Construction Teams see specific home projects through from planning stages to completion. Teams are assigned to one site and oversee all stages of the project, from planning through completion of construction.

  • Retired, Semi-Retired, or Self-Employed contractors / budgeters/ engineers/ architects / experienced tradespeople, as well as less experienced team-players willing to learn and play a support role
  • Responsive to emails and/or phone calls with staff and other volunteer leaders
  • Willing to participate in weekly team meetings via Zoom and occasional on-site construction or other project support/planning

This role requires a commitment of at least the duration of one project (~1 year) at approximately 1-2 hours per week.

Crew Leaders volunteer on site in a leadership support role to the Site Supervisor (the person in charge for the day). The Crew Leader may complete tasks themself, help manage and/or instruct small groups of volunteers, and assist the Site Supervisor in setup and cleanup for the day.

  • Current or former contractors/engineers/architects/experienced tradespeople/experienced construction volunteers
  • Comfortable being in charge of a group of inexperienced volunteers
  • Able to take direction well from the build team and Site Supervisor

Crew Leaders are expected to have spent some time volunteering on Habitat jobsites before stepping into a leadership role.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee works to promote and maintain a culture of equity, inclusiveness, and proactive anti-racism in our organization and community. The DEI Chair helps to plan and lead committee meetings (approximately once every other month) and related community events (1-2 times per year).

  • Good communication, planning, and logistics skills
  • Comfortable sending emails and making phone calls
  • Enjoys working with people of all backgrounds
  • Able to navigate occasionally difficult conversations with grace and patience

This position requires approximately 1-2 hours per month. People of color, LGBTQIA people, those with disabilities, experience living with low-incomes and other lived experience strongly encouraged to share their insights and leadership. White people and those in positions of privilege are also welcome to join in effort to support this important work, and must be willing to seek knowledge with humility and listen to the lived experiences of others.

Plans our annual spring FEAST event (silent auction and food tasting) or our annual winter fundraiser the Gingerbread Build (gingerbread house building contest).

  • Professional event planner / manager / budgeter / customer service / food service
  • Works directly with Resource Development Director
  • Must be an outstandingly detail-oriented person
  • Must be able to create, organize, and cross reference spreadsheets
  • Must be comfortable approaching businesses and individuals to ask for donations
  • For the FEAST, the event is only one night per year in, but planning takes place at least six months in advance. Planning will go from a couple of hours a month, to a few weeks of 10-15 hours of work, and then the week before event will likely put in about 30 hours.
  • For the Gingerbread Build, planning and implementation is fewer hours, but ramps up as the event approaches in December.

The Green Building Tracker joins a build team and to help them track compliance with ENERGY STAR Homes, Indoor Air Plus and DOE Zero-Net Energy Ready Home requirements. Build Teams see specific home-building projects through from planning stages to completion.

  • Knowledge or interest in green building techniques and regulations
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Responsive to emails and/or phone calls with staff and other volunteer leaders
  • Willing to participate in weekly team meetings via Zoom and occasional on-site visits or other project support/planning

This role requires a commitment of at least the duration of one project (~1 year) at approximately 1-2 hours per week.

The Hospitality Committee Chair coordinates delivery of drinks and snacks to construction volunteers to show appreciation. This role requires occasional meetings (via Zoom) with other hospitality volunteers and staff.

  • Good communication, planning, and logistics skills
  • Comfortable sending emails and making phone calls
  • Patient, enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities
  • Able to help come up with new ways of showing appreciation

This position requires approximately 1-2 hours per week, with some driving to active Habitat construction sites.

The Site Squad Chair coordinates the work of the committee, including scheduling site visits to potential locations for future builds, scheduling meetings, and managing any follow-up work as necessary.

  • Well organized and good communicator
  • No special expertise needed in construction site selection required, but related knowledge in architecture/site work/forest or wetland management/local construction regulations is helpful
  • Good with spreadsheets, scheduling polls, and email communications

This role operates on an as-needed basis around when potential sites become available, and requires an average of 1-2 hours per month.

Site Supervisors volunteer on site 1-4 days per month as the person in charge for the day. The supervisor does not complete tasks themself but oversees the volunteers to explain how to do the tasks and makes sure they are done correctly

  • Retired, Semi-Retired, or Self-Employed contractors / budgeters/ engineers/ architects / experienced tradespeople
  • Is comfortable being in charge of a group of inexperienced volunteers
  • Can take direction well from the build team, is great at making folks feel at-ease & explaining new concepts
  • 1-4 days per month for at least part of one project
  • Is responsive to emails or phone calls so planning can be easily accomplished

The Volunteer Appreciation Advocate coordinates with staff around volunteer appreciation efforts.

  • Help plan an annual volunteer appreciation party for active volunteers
  • Strategize low-cost ways to make sure volunteers feel appreciated for their efforts
  • Implement appreciation strategies like phone calls or handwritten notes

This role requires an average of 1-2 hours per month.

The Volunteer Orientations Chair assists staff in scheduling and managing new volunteer orientations, and is the first point of contact for other Volunteer Orientation Leaders. The Chair may also still run orientations themself. These orientations take place twice per month on the first Wednesday and third Saturday, and are primarily via Zoom (with some in-person exceptions). Ideal volunteers are:

  • Familiar with Habitat for Humanity’s history and mission
  • Experienced in running new volunteer orientations with Habitat
  • Responsive to staff and other volunteers via occasional emails
  • Comfortable using PowerPoint and Zoom
  • Welcoming and positive!

This position requires at least 1 year commitment of 1-2 hour(s) every other month (can be from home or in person).

Volunteer Orientation Leaders welcome new potential volunteers and explain the volunteering program at Habitat during new volunteer orientations. These orientations take place twice per month on the first Wednesday and third Saturday, and are primarily via Zoom (with some in-person exceptions). Ideal volunteers are:

  • Familiar with (and/or willing to learn more about) Habitat for Humanity’s history and mission
  • Comfortable speaking with and answering questions from a small group of potential volunteers
  • Comfortable using PowerPoint and Zoom
  • Welcoming and positive!

This position requires at least 1 year commitment of 1 hour every other month (can be from home or in person).