Ninety percent of the work it takes to build a Habitat home is done by volunteers, both on-site and off-site. Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity volunteer experience is like no other. It is a tangible result with immediate impact. Volunteers founded 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.
Check out our full list of available volunteer opportunities below and sign up for a new volunteer orientation to get started!
To apply for a committee or special leadership position please contact Megan at 413-586-5430 x106 or volunteer@pvhabitat.org. You can find a full calendar of committee meeting times here.
Construction volunteers
We always welcome new construction volunteers! If you are interested in construction volunteering:
- Create an account (or log back in to an existing account) on VolunteerUP and sign the liability waiver electronically
- Attend a new volunteer orientation if you haven’t volunteered before (sign up on VolunteerUP)
- Sign up for available shifts on VolunteerUP.
As of May 1, 2023, we are no longer requiring Covid-19 vaccinations in our updated Covid-19 Outdoor Work Policy. There may be 1-2 "vaccinated only" workdays per week, with participating volunteers attesting that they are up-to-date on Covid-19 vaccinations, as defined by the CDC at the time.
Not sure what to expect? Check out our Volunteering FAQ and learn more about roles on the Habitat job site.
Volunteer with a group!
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. Click here to learn more!
Women Build
Women Build aims to nurture, recruit and train women (and individuals of all genders underrepresented on construction sites) to build simple, decent, healthy and affordable houses. Any upcoming events will be listed here.
In the tradition of Habitat for Humanity’s International Women Build Week, our affiliate offers monthly Women Build Days. These weekend events center around a Sunday afternoon community build day, which is a great introduction to a typical Habitat volunteer day. All Women Build Weekends are available to the general public, 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!
Committees (meeting via Zoom)
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, 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.
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 Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity 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 other board members to provide legal and moral leadership and responsibility for all activities of 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 applications available for open 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 LGBTQ+.
Build Teams see projects through from planning stages to completion. Teams are assigned to one site and oversee all of the happenings pertaining to the project. Team members needed for projects in Northampton and Conway.
- 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
- Weekly zoom team meetings, on-site construction or other project support/planning
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.
Join a build team and help them track compliance with ENERGY STAR Homes, Indoor Air Plus and DOE Zero-Net Energy Ready Home requirements.
- An interest in green building techniques and an attention to detail needed
The Hospitality Committee Chair coordinates delivery of drinks and snacks to construction volunteers to show appreciation. This has been on hold due to Covid-19, but we would like to plan for the future and re-instating this.
- Anyone with good communication, planning, and logistics skills would be a good fit for this position.
- Must be comfortable sending emails and making phone calls.
- Must be very patient and enjoy working with the elderly and children
- Will help come up with new ways of showing appreciation.
This position takes about an 1-2 hours per week.
The Site Squad Chair coordinates the work of the committee including scheduling site visits, meetings & follow up.
- Well organized and good communicator
- No special expertise needed in site selection required, but knowledge is helpful
- Good with spreadsheets, scheduling polls, and email communications
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 Social Media Coordinator creates, edits, and schedules social media posts.
- Student / media person / marketing person
- Must be proficient in Facebook and Twitter with more than basic computer skills
- Must have good judgement in phrasing and appropriateness for social media postings
This position requires at least 1 year commitment of 1-2 hours per week (from home).
The Volunteer Appreciation Advocate coordinates with staff on 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
Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity relies on it's volunteers to build homes, but also to build our organization. Volunteers can:
- Help in the office
- Work on fundraisers
- Help at events
- Help with families
- Recruit other volunteers
- Work with faith communities
- Help build homes
- Other off-site projects
Our volunteer programming is supported in part by the Massachusetts Service Alliance.