Get Involved
Volunteer with Habitat Greater Ottawa
Volunteers are at the heart of what we do at Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa. Our volunteers’ dedication, reliability and skills are the keys to our success. Whether you’re swinging a hammer on the build site, greeting customers at the ReStore, or organizing a fundraising event, there are many ways you can get involved!
For more information on the following volunteer opportunities, please contact, Julie at volunteer@habitatgo.ca.
Current Volunteer Openings
ReStore: Ottawa Clothing Associate
The volunteer ReStore Clothing Associate will help sorting, counting, folding and organizing donations received at the ReStore. They will also support with merchandising the racks of clothing and sorting by size, etc.
Build Photographer: Kemptville
The Build Photographer ensures pictures are taken on a regular basis at our build site and other events, specifically with our corporate groups. These involve taking individual action shots as well as group photos.
ReStore: Ottawa
We have a variety of ReStore volunteer positions to suit your skills and interests such as donation pick up, helping in the warehouse with receiving, sorting, recycling and repairing or in the store with merchandising, stocking and sales support.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Build Crew (Kemptville) assists with various levels of construction from foundation to landscaping. Work with fellow build volunteers under the supervision of a crew leader while ensuring quality of work and safety on site at all times. Previous experience in construction or related areas preferred. Please Note: Volunteer Crew Leads and Build Crew must commit a minimum number of hours and days per week during the build season. Monday to Fridays only.
Site Liaison (Kemptville) provides direction on processes and procedures to volunteers participating with the build. They also act as the official host for the day on the build. They are integral to the build process and Corporate Build Day experience. Mondays to Fridays only.
Family Partner (Kemptville) will work directly with the future Habitat homeowners from their acceptance to the program to when they receive the keys to their new home. As part of the Family Partner Committee, you will be providing families with a support system as families learn about the Habitat homeownership system, as well as related policies and procedures.
Community Events (Ottawa & Kemptville) assist Habitat for Humanity at various community events. This includes representing Habitat by answering questions and providing information to community members, set up and tear down and other events as needed. Events could take place throughout the Greater Ottawa and North Grenville Area.
Committee Volunteers (Ottawa & Kemptville) committee members are vital to the success of Habitat Greater Ottawa and we rely heavily on our committees to fulfill our mandate. Please contact us for the latest information on committees accepting volunteers.
Office (Ottawa) positions and internships exist for students, recent graduates, working professionals and retirees at our Iber office in Stittsville. There are a range of opportunities available such as supporting our event planning and communications to research, data entry, administrative work and other short term projects. Let us know what interests you!
NOTE: Volunteer safety is a top priority for us and it is for this reason that we have age restrictions for our volunteers. We do not accept volunteers under the age of 16. Volunteers between 16-18 may volunteer on the build site or ReStore, but they must be accompanied by an adult who is willing to work alongside them.
Why Volunteer with Habitat?
As a Family Partner, you feel the excitement for (the families) because you really are on the ride along with them. There is a sense of pride in the support that you provide and knowing that I’ve been able to help them towards this process of becoming homeowners – it really makes an impact.
I spend my time at the Restore as a Store Associate, which means my time is spent receiving donations, helping with testing and pricing merchandise. It’s been such a welcoming experience for me, I feel very included in the Restore family. That’s been my favorite part of volunteering, honestly; the people I work with have been so nice.
When sharing this build experience with others, you get close. We love the social aspect of the job and are very close with the staff, regular volunteers and Habitat families. Every day we both learn something new from either the build team or the future homeowners.
If you help on the build site one day, well there's a wall that wasn't there this morning, or now there's a cupboard or wall painted. You go to the Key Ceremony at the end of the build and the sheer delight seeing the kids walk through their house and get their own bedroom for the first time in their lives. That's worth a lot of volunteer hours on my part!