We welcome volunteers of ALL skill levels and we provide the training that you need! Be aware that construction is a physically demanding activity, and there are dangers associated with it. As such, we ask you to sign a waiver, which you can print out by clicking here. Please bring this completed waiver to the site.

The safety of our volunteers is paramount to us. Please read our safety tips.

You must be at least 16 years old to work on the construction site; additionally, you must be at least 18 to work on roofs and/or scaffolding and use power tools. All minors under the age of 18 must arrive with two waivers signed by their parent or guardian. You can download the waiver forms here.

Parking is extremely limited at the sites. Plan to arrive early to look for spaces. We recommend that you carpool whenever possible.

Arrive at 8:30 in order to register. An orientation and a safety talk begin at 8:40, and work starts promptly at 9am. For safety reasons, we cannot allow anyone to come late; if you miss the safety talk, you will not be able to work on the site that day.

The construction day is non-negotiable. We ask for a full-day commitment from all volunteers. When people show up late or leave early it makes it difficult for our supervisors to properly train volunteers or accomplish the construction goals for the day. Late arrivals may also cause delays in the start of safety instruction and task assignments. If you miss the safety talk, late arrivals will not be able to work on site that day.

We take the safety of our volunteers extremely seriously and pride ourselves on our safety record. Habitat Greater San Francisco staff and AmeriCorps are trained in First Aid and CPR and can attend to minor cuts and scrapes. Please notify staff of any pre-existing conditions and of any necessary precautions, such as a bee sting kit, inhaler, etc. We ask that all injuries, no matter how minor, be reported to the site manager. If a serious injury occurs, a staff person will assist you in getting emergency medical care.

Construction can continue during rain showers, depending on the state of the site. Often we will have enough work to do indoors to continue working in inclement weather. To check on the status of the build day at a specific site, please call the number listed in the Volunteer Packet or on your confirmation email.

Wear sturdy, closed toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty or ruined. Also be aware that much of the work is outdoors, so dress appropriately for the weather, including wind, sun and/or fog.

First of all, bring a lunch and a water bottle. Habitat Greater San Francisco will provide the tools you will be using. You may bring your own hand tools if you like, but be sure to label them with your name. If you have your own work gloves or safety goggles you may want to bring them as well. Also, be sure to bring your own personal comfort items - sunscreen, a hat and layered clothing for weather changes. Please leave your valuables at home! There is no storage space at the site.

Lunch is from 12:00 -1:00pm. There are places to eat nearby, but it is recommended that you bring your own lunch.

Upon arrival, volunteers must sign the Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liabilities Form. After signing in, volunteers will receive safety instruction and work assignments from the site supervisor. You will be asked to perform the same task for the duration of the day, in order to maximize productivity.

A typical workday schedule:
8:30-8:45 Volunteer sign-in
8:45-9:00 Orientation, safety overview and task assignments
9:00-12:00 Workday tasks
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-4:00 Workday tasks
4:00-4:15 Cleanup

The optimal number of site volunteers depends on the site and the work plan for the day. Each site has different capacities but there can be as few as four or as many as 120 volunteers each day. The safety and adequate supervision of our volunteers is extremely important to us, and our construction crew determines the number of volunteers we have on our sites.

We do not require a fee from individual volunteers. However, we encourage all volunteers to help with Habitat Greater San Francisco's fundraising efforts by participating in any way you can.

Smoking, alcohol, and radios are not allowed on the site. We also ask that you do not use cell phones on the construction site as they are distracting and can cause a safety hazard.

Throughout Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties, Habitat GSF works in partnership with neighborhoods that have their own unique identity and in many cases their own unique challenges. We encourage and ask all of our volunteers to embrace our community partners and neighbors as you build with us on site. As you work with us, please remember to remain mindful of your environment and utilize sound judgment at all times. If you have any concerns or questions, please communicate with the staff and AmeriCorps members working on the site.

Everyone must sign the Volunteer Agreement, Assumption of Risk, and Release Liability Form each workday before they are allowed to begin work. Habitat Greater San Francisco is required to have a record of your participation for legal, insurance and statistical purposes.

Volunteers help with many of the ReStore's operations, so activities can vary. For most new volunteers, tasks may include helping unload donations from vehicles, moving items to the floor, reorganizing or cleaning departments, helping customers load their vehicle with a new purchase, among other tasks. We will make every effort to match you with your preferred tasks as we get to know you and your interests. Please visit our volunteer opportunity page to learn more.

Wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and closed toe/heeled shoes (athletic shoes or boots are best; please no ballet slippers, crocs, heels, clogs or sandals). The ReStore can get cool so please bring a sweater or sweat shirt. On occasion you will be outside so bring a hat, visor or sunscreen. The ReStore provides work gloves but they are often mismatched and not in the best condition. Consider bringing your own pair for maximum work comfort.

Anyone under age 18 volunteering at the ReStore must have a parent/guardian co-sign their waiver before beginning work. The minimum age for unaccompanied volunteering at the ReStore is 16 due to safety concerns. Kids who are under 16 may volunteer at the ReStore if accompanied by a chaperone. You can download the waiver forms here.

The ReStore has limited parking reserved for customers. Volunteers and staff may park nearby on Industrial Road or on American, Center or Washington streets which run perpendicular to Industrial. There is also a small parking lot across the street behind the power station.

Certainly! We can accommodate groups of up to 15 people volunteering at the ReStore. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Michelle at mkanda@habitatgsf.org or 650-731-3108 for more information or to schedule your group.

Every task a volunteer does helps ease our operational costs, keeping our overhead cost down so more of the money spent at the ReStore funds Habitat home building projects. Nationally, the ReStore program is one of the largest sources of unrestricted funding for Habitat, second only to the mortgage repayments we receive.

Volunteers can schedule their shift online through Volunteer Hub. Upon arriving at the ReStore, every volunteer must complete and sign a waiver. New volunteers will have a ten minute orientation.

Though we cannot offer lunch, we do have a break room with a microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker and usually we provide snacks. There is a Chipotle, Starbucks, Jamba Juice and Wing Stop within walking distance and fast food places a quick drive away, but volunteers can always bring their own lunch.

YES! Volunteers are needed at the ReStore Wednesday-Saturday from 9-5. Shifts run from 9-1 and 1-5.

Volunteers who serve 100 hours are entitled to a twenty percent merchandise discount. However, merchandise must be available to the public for one working day before a volunteer may purchase it.

Contact the ReStore to find out where you can help. We can use all sorts of skills: plumbing to artistic talent to everything in between. Email Michelle at mkanda@habitatgsf.org or call 650-731-3108.

Yes! We need regular office volunteers to help with database administration, our online accounts and answering the phone. Also, our cashiers stay at the register, greet customers and ring-up purchases.

If there is any reason you are unable to volunteer for a time you signed up for please contact the ReStore as soon as possible. Contact us at 650-731-3108 or email Michelle at mkanda@habitatgsf.org.

The ReStore provides lockers to store personal items but volunteers are responsible for the items that they bring.

Everyone must sign the Volunteer Agreement, Assumption of Risk, and Release Liability Form each workday before they are allowed to begin work. Habitat Greater San Francisco is required to have a record of your participation for legal, insurance and statistical purposes.