When does construction take place?

Construction takes place year-round, Monday thru Saturday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Volunteers are asked to sign-in by 7:45 a.m. Please contact Pat Sisti, Volunteer Coordinator at (973) 595-6868 xt. 106 or pat@patersonhabitat.org regarding volunteer scheduling.

Is there a minimum age to volunteer?

Construction:  All volunteers must be at least 16 years old.  No one under the age of 16 will be allowed at the construction site for safety and liability reasons.  Volunteers ages 16 and 17 must come with an adult (21 or older) or a supervised group and will have some work restrictions.   

Non-construction: Volunteers of all ages are welcomed to participate in non-construction opportunities.

I'm unskilled, does that matter?

While we welcome skilled volunteers and want to encourage those in the building trades to join us on site, the majority of our volunteers have few construction skills. Numerous volunteers remain with us on a long-term basis and volunteer regularly in order to build skills. We will train you in all aspects of construction with the hope that you will continue to volunteer, and even perhaps share your skills with unskilled volunteers in the future.

What if I need to cancel?

Cancelations do happen, and we understand.  Keep in mind that once you make a reservation, our construction staff plans the construction schedule accordingly. If you need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible by contacting our Volunteer Coordinator, Pat Sisti (973) 595-6868 xt. 106 or email pat@patersonhabitat.org

How are volunteers supervised?

Paterson Habitat has a professional construction staff. Each site has a construction manager who works alongside the volunteers and provides training and general supervision. The members of the construction staff are highly skilled and are used to working with skilled and unskilled volunteers.

What do I need to bring to the site?

Volunteers need to bring lunch or money to purchase lunch and plenty of water to drink throughout the day. Water and sunscreen are important during the summer months.  Volunteers should wear clothes that can get dirty and are appropriate for the weather. Heavy-soled shoes are also important. No open-toed or open-backed shoes are permitted. We recommend volunteers bring work gloves and safety glasses to the site, and if possible, basic tools such as a hammer, measuring tape, pencil, and utility knife. Tools should be labeled or easily identified.

How do I get started?

Review our Get Involved section and then fill-out the Volunteer and Skills Form.  You may also contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Pat Sisti (973) 595-6868 xt. 106 or email pat@patersonhabitat.org for more information.