Rebuild Program Volunteer FAQs
Thanks for your interest in working with us. We rely on volunteers to help us with nearly every step of the rebuild process. The time you donate saves homeowners thousands of dollars. We've tried to answer most of the questions you might have here, but if you have any other questions about volunteering with us, please feel free to call Pete at 504-259-1417.
Do you provide housing for volunteers?
Yes - there is limited housing available. If you are ready to register your volunteer group, and to reserve space in our volunteer housing, please speak to our volunteer coordinator Pete Nunnally. You'll find his contact information on our main volunteer page.
What about vehicles?
We cannot provide you with transportation. You'll need to arrange to have your own vehicles.
How many people should we bring?
We have found that the maximum number of people that can work comfortably on a rebuild site is around ten. That doesn't mean that you should only bring ten people, but if you bring more, you should be prepared to split into smaller groups. That means having enough vehicles to make sure that each group of 8-10 can get around independently. If you can bring more vehicles, that's great. We often find that ten is the maximum number of people per site, but it often works better to have groups even smaller than that.
What building skills do our group members need to have?
We do not require you to have any particular building skills to work with us. However, we ask that as you recruit members for your group, you aim to achieve a one-to-one ratio of folks that have some building experience to folks that don't. Your skilled folks do not need to be professional sheetrockers, mudders, or carpenters (though it would be amazing if they were), but they should be comfortable with power tools and the basics of building. Folks with experience hanging and finishing sheetrock or doing finish carpentry are extremely helpful to us.
Also, please note that we do not use volunteers for plumbing and electrical work. Instead, we hire local subcontractors both because the work needs to be done by a state-licensed professional in order to pass city inspections, and also to help support the local economy where plumbers and electricians have some of the few well-paying jobs that don't require a degree.
What exactly will my group be doing?
Our schedule changes all the time, so we won't be able to tell you for sure what you're doing until the morning when your group shows up. We usually have houses at several stages of the rebuild process at a given time. Your group might be hanging or finishing sheetrock, doing interior or exterior painting, laying tile or laminate floors, putting up trim and hanging doors, or doing some clean-up gutting for a house that we're getting ready to rebuild, to name a few possible tasks. Also, although most of the gutting around the city is done, we do still get gutting requests occasionally, so your group might do some of that too.
Who will lead our group on the work site?
Each volunteer group will be assigned at least one, and usually several, crew chiefs. At the start of the day, they will lead your group to the house, tell you about the homeowner, and explain what work needs to get done. They are also there to answer general questions you might have, and make sure that everyone is safe on the site. Our crew chiefs are used to working with volunteers with a variety of building skill levels and will make sure to provide whatever guidance and help you need.
What should we bring?
We will supply all of the tools that you need. Your group members should come dressed to get dirty, and wear thick-soled shoes or work boots. If you can bring your own gloves, that would be great, but we can supply them if you don't. Each day, your group members will need to pack a lunch.
Should we bring tools?
We have the tools you'll need, so don't worry about bringing your own. However, if you would like to bring some tools to donate at the end of your trip, that would be great. You'll find a list of the tools that we currently need at the Donate Goods and Services page.
How long is the work day?
Our days begin at 8:00 a.m. and usually last until around 3:30 p.m., with a half hour for lunch and hourly water breaks. We work every day except for Sundays.
Are there bathrooms?
Not usually. Don't count on the water being turned on at the work site. To use a bathroom, we recommend: 1) going outside, or 2) making a visit to the nearest gas station. Your crew chief will be able to point you in the right direction.
Can you accommodate volunteers with physical limitations?
Rebuilding work is very physical, and we recommend that volunteers be in good shape to fully participate. That said, we have frequently found that folks underestimate their physical capabilities. If you have specific concerns about yourself or a member of your group, there are several other volunteer programs within the Episcopal Diocese that are less physically demanding than rebuilding. To learn more, please speak to our Volunteer Coordinator Pete Nunally.
