You can help us build a better Rockland County by joining our student builds today.  We encourage Rockland County's high school and college students to participate in our Student Build program where you will be working alongside fellow classmates and often times the Habitat homeowner family.  

 

There are numerous benefits to volunteering with Habitat:

• Meet and work with those who are different than you, including other volunteers and future Habitat homeowners.

• Understand the needs of others, particularly concerning poor living conditions versus safe, affordable housing.

• Become involved in the strengthening of your own neighborhoods and communities.

• Participate in meaningful work resulting in a sense of accomplishment.

• Learn new skills and gain confidence.

• Improve your own life and the lives of others in practical and long-lasting ways.

• Have fun in a way you may not have thought possible.

Learn how a nonprofit organization works and the importance and impact fundraising has on their neighboring communities. The students learn that one of the greatest things about the Student Build program each year is not just that one more affordable house is built, but that they will forever be part of something that has changed the life of another family, a family whose dreams are becoming a reality because of their volunteerism and dedication to raising funds.

 

Build | Educate | Fundraise
The Student Build program takes a three-pronged approach:
BUILD -- It is a hands-on opportunity for the students to be put into action
EDUCATE -- It is an opportunity to learn about the need for affordable housing in Rockland County and the impact of a nonprofit in their communities
FUNDRAISE -- It allows the students to organize and raise a pledge amount as a group, as well as, actually see how their raised funds go to our building supplies for the homes that they help build!
 

How It Works

Student Build is a program that encourages and enables students to help eliminate poverty housing in partnership with Habitat of Rockland (HFHR).  HFHR campus chapters are student groups led by an advisor who works in partnership with us and is provided with rewarding opportunities for fellowship, empowerment, and leadership.
 

How Do We Start?
Step 1. Gather a group of students (a class, club, team, or friends) and appoint an advisor to lead the group. Email Donna Cain at DonnaCain.Habitat@gmail.com to request a pledge form.
Step 2. Pledge a donation amount and email the form and 3 build date options to come out and build onsite. Keep in mind we build Thursday and Saturdays.

 

The Rules

• The minimum pledge amount to reserve your student build day is $500 for a maximum of 10 students. This means that you need to raise/donate $50 per student.

• If you would like to have more than 10 students build, you can sign up for multiple build days, as long as the donation amount reflects the number of students signed up. 

• The build calendar is first come-first serve. Those who sign up early have a greater chance of getting the day they select. The date is not secure until the pledge form is received. We build Thursdays and Saturdays. Please note that Saturdays fill up fast, if you are interested in a Saturday, don't hesitate, sign up today!

• There should be 1 chaperone (adult 21 or older) per 10 students. You do not need to count the chaperone as a builder. They are there to help manage the students.

• All students MUST be at least 16 years old to build on a Habitat construction site. This is for safety reasons and is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

• Our build day is from 9:00am-3:00pm. We ask that groups arrive around 8:30am so we can start promptly at 9am with a welcome and safety speech. We break for lunch around 12pm, and begin cleaning up around 2:30 with an end time of 3:00pm.  

Commonly Asked Questions

• No construction experience is necessary. Our knowledgeable Site Supervisor and volunteer Crew Leaders will lead you in building the Habitat way!

• We supply all tools, hard hats, gloves, and work belts.  

• Water is supplied. There will be a cooler of water bottles onsite.

• Habitat does not provide lunch. Please instruct students to bring a bag lunch if the school is not providing one.

• Bathrooms: We provide a clean bathroom or port-o-john with hand sanitizer.

• Valuable items such as bags or purses can be locked in the cab of the Habitat truck.

• There is no smoking onsite- you must step to the street line for a smoke break.

• We build in rain, snow or shine- unless severe weather is predicted. Coordinate an emergency contact for the day of the build with the main office.

• Cell phone usage is limited to breaks and lunchtime for safety. Please remember to tag us on social media!