Our Volunteers Are Everything

We couldn't do what we do at Habitat for Humanity - Ozaukee without the generosity of our volunteers. Many find the opportunity to help a family realize their dream of owning a home to be a rewarding experience. From hands-on help at our work sites to preparing a lunch or snacks for our crews to joining one of our many committees, there's a place for you at Habitat to share your skills and talents. You'll have the opportunity to make new friends while working alongside others in a meaningful cause. Oh, and the gratitude you'll feel from the deserving families in our community - priceless.

If you are interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity - Ozaukee, but aren't sure where your skills may fit, we have a variety of opportunities for every age and interest.

Resource Development & Outreach

Our Development Committee helps to raise the funds for Habitat for Humanity-Ozaukee to carry out our mission: providing decent, affordable housing to low-income local families. The committee works closely with our Fundraising Chair and other members of our board to pursue donations from individuals, businesses, foundations, congregations and civic organizations. Activities of the committee may include:

• Organizing and implementing special events
• Grant proposal writing and editing
• Creating communications materials for publicity and community outreach, such as our newsletter, press materials, social and digital content, ads, brochures and flyers
• Website updates and maintenance
• Developing and sharing presentations with local groups to educate the public about our mission.
• IT support
• Photography

Site Selection & Construction

Our Site Selection & Construction Committee is tasked with developing construction capacity to build more Habitat homes for partner families in our community. Volunteers for this committee help by

• Finding suitable properties for Habitat to build on;
• Negotiating with owners/officials for site acquisition, purchase or donation;
• Inspecting sites offered to evaluate build potential based on infrastructure costs, zoning, etc.
• Drawing up housing plans with architect/engineer;
• Planning the building schedules for each home;
• Managing and supervising construction work with volunteers, contractors and subcontractors;
• Seeking approvals to move the building process forward; and
• Establishing and maintaining standards for construction and safety.

Church & Community

Ozaukee County is blessed to have so many houses of worship and faith-based groups serving our community. Our Church & Community committee serves as a bridge between Habitat and these groups, reaching out to individual area churches, synagogues and other faith organizations to gain support for our mission through volunteers and monetary donations. Committee members:

• Send letters and/or meet with clergy and other leaders of churches to ask for support in the form of contributions or sponsoring/co-sponsoring a house;
• Encourage giving, prayer and volunteers from area faith based communities; and
• Organize faith-based community volunteer efforts (e.g. painting of partner family homes)

Family Support & Selection

Our Family Support & Selection committee is the vital link to Habitat homeowners, providing a mutual support system, educational opportunities, and a forum for discussions about home ownership and maintenance. Their activities include:

• Developing relationships with county agencies, civic and faith-based groups to promote the opportunity for low- and modest-income families to offer application
• Organizing community meetings to inform prospective partner families about how to apply for a Habitat Home
• Screening, interviewing and selecting prospective homeowner candidates to review with the board for applicant approval
• Supporting the family throughout the selection process, during home construction, and up to one year following the completion of the home
• Reviewing building plans with partner families and the construction manager to aid in the selection of materials options
• Monitoring the partner family’s sweat equity hours and suggesting ways for the families to complete the required hours
• Encouraging ongoing involvement with and support for Habitat in the community

Construction Volunteers & Crew Catering

Our volunteers support our homeowners in all phases of site preparation, home construction, landscaping and repairs. We welcome skilled, semi-skilled and DIY hobbyists, along with unskilled laborers who simply want to lend a helping hand (or hammer). Here are some areas we can always use help with as we complete construction on a new Habitat home:

• Insulating
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Drywall
• Roofing
• Finish Carpentry

In addition, these hard-working crews need to be fed, so we also welcome sponsors or caring hosts to prepare or provide a meal on our build days. We typically have between 6 and 15 volunteers who appreciate a good meal and the kind hospitality our community provides.

Whatever your skills are we're interested in your help. We invite you to attend one of our bi-monthly meetings which are held at:

Ozaukee Nonprofit Center

2360 Dakota Drive

Grafton, WI 53024

We meet the second Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the months of February, April, June, August, October and December.

Anyone is welcome to see how we operate, ask questions and become a part of one of our committees!