Anyone can volunteer with Habitat, either by participating in construction, organizing volunteers, or by joining a committee. There are many different opportunities to help!

Remember, construction skills are not needed to volunteer- just enthusiasm, a willingness to work together, and a commitment to helping to our local families in need of affordable, decent housing.

We are now building two new homes in Tompkins and Cortland Counties. Geoff and Jessica Couch have been chosen as our partner family for our house in Dryden. Chad and Courtney Hutchings are our Cortland partner family. We need volunteers to serve as Building Site Supervisors and Volunteer Coordinators. Please be sure to select these positions below if interested!

Fund Raisers Needed
To serve more families, we are building more homes each year. That is great! We become more visible with each home we build.  That helps us raise the necessary money needed to increase our building capacity.

Click Here to Submit Your Volunteer Form

We have many opportunities to get involved including building at 6 Wellsley Drive, Dryden, NY 13053 and 33 Arthur Ave, Cortland, NY 13045. You can also join a Committee!

BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES:

Click here to Volunteer in Dryden

Dryden Work Schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Directions to: 6 Wellsley Drive, Dryden, NY 13053
Please find parking available across the street in the Town of Dryden Highway & DPW lot.

Click here to Volunteer in Cortland

Cortland Work Schedule: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Directions to: 33 Arthur Ave, Cortland, NY 13045

All volunteers must view the Safety Awareness PowerPoint before attending their first build day.

Any volunteer under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign this form and bring it with them to the site:

Release and Waiver of Liability for Minors

Anyone under the age of 18 is not allowed onsite with out parent consent.

Groups of five or more must first call the office at 607-898-4148 or email tompkinscortland@habitatnys.org to schedule a build day.

If you have questions about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, please do not hesitate to call the office at 607.898.4148 or email tompkinscortland@habitatnys.org.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:

Valu Home Fundraiser

Visit the Valu Home Center in Cortland and purchase a raffle ticket for $1.00 to enter to win a basket of gift certificates, a Ukrainian Egg, a Webber Grill, a spa package, or even a new car! This fundraiser will continue daily through July 31st.

Become a Volunteer Coordinator

Commit one day a month hosting our construction site by helping volunteers sign in and out, explaining to them what Habitat is all about, giving them details about the home and partner family, explaining safety procedures, and making sure everyone stays busy and and has fun!

Please email tompkinscortlandhabitat@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Leader.

Volunteer as a Crew Leader

If you have construction experience and are willing to guide volunteers through daily tasks, we want you as a Crew Leader. You are only required to commit one day a month onsite. Please email  tompkinscortlandhabitat@gmail.com if you are interested.

Women Build

Women Build brings together women from all walks of life to teach the correct and safe use of basic tools to increase self-reliance and personal empowerment. Come to our trainings at Lowes in Ithaca and help build a home for Amber Little and her two sons in Lansing with an all women team. The men bring the women refreshments and brownies!

TRAININGS:

The next Women Build training is TBA.

All women are welcome but please RSVP to tompkinscortland@habitatnys.org if you’d like to attend. Lowe’s will provide everything that’s needed, just bring your attention and interest!

Directions to Our Current Build Sites

Address: 6 Wellsley Drive, Dryden, NY 13053

Click Here for a Google Map and Directions

Directions from Ithaca Mall:

1) Head east on Catherwood Rd toward N Triphammer Rd

2) Turn right at N Triphammer Rd

3) Turn left to merge onto NY-13 N (follow for 10 miles into Dryden)

4) Continue onto E Main Street and drive through town

5) Turn right at Wellsley Drive

6) Destination will be on the right

Address: 33 Arthur Ave, Cortland, NY 13045

Click Here for a Google Map and Directions

Directions from Wal-Mart in Cortland:

1) Head northeast on NY-13 N toward Lime Hollow Rd

2) Take slight right to stay on NY -13 N

3) Turn left at Prospect Terrace

4) Turn right at Stevenson Street

5) Take slight left to stay on Stevenson Street

6) Turn right at Groton Ave

7) Take first Left onto Homer Ave

Turn right at Arthur Ave, destination will be on right

Youth Volunteer Policy

We are always excited by an opportunity to engage the youth of our community in our work and we appreciate the enthusiasm and energy that they bring to the site. Safety is our first priority on the work site and the following guidelines, in compliance with Habitat for Humanity International and Child Labor laws, apply to all work sites. For each building session the Volunteer Manager will indicate if the work to be completed is appropriate for those ages 14-15 and 16-17.

• Children under age 14 are not allowed on Habitat sites while construction is in progress.
• Children ages 14 and 15 are only allowed to work on Habitat sites outside of school hours. They are prohibited from working in general construction but can engage in activities such as lot clean-up, landscaping, painting, and other similar tasks.
• 16 and 17 year-olds may perform general construction but may not operate power tools, motor vehicles, or participate in demolition, excavation, roofing or work on a ladder above 6 feet.
• Youth that are enrolled in a work study program may work during school hours. Youth in an apprenticeship or vocational program can do some activities that may normally be prohibited if they are supervised (i.e. a carpentry student could operate a power saw).
• There must be at least one adult over the age of 18 for every 3 to 4 minor on site.

Although children under age 14 are not allowed on site during construction, they can easily be involved in Habitat work during non-construction hours or off-site. Youth can do tasks such as paint baseboards or door frames, build a mailbox or flower box, provide food for volunteers, make decorations for ceremonies, babysit for volunteers or the partner family, recycle, fundraise, etc. Please contact us at 607.898.4148 or tompkinscortland@habitatnys.org if you would like to further discuss worthwhile volunteer opportunities for your youth.