Youth Involvement

Youth under the age of 16 cannot volunteer on the build site or at the ReStores but they can participate in our off-site youth program.

Building on Youth Program with Habitat Orlando

What is the program?

Youth of the ages 5-15 can get involved with the Habitat Orlando even though they cannot work on the construction site or in the ReStores.  It is a four-part program that involves learning about Habitat, helping Habitat by doing at least two activities, reflecting on the activity through art, and celebrating their accomplishment by sharing their art with the Orlando community.  Because of safety concerns and Florida labor laws, youth under the age of 16 are not allowed on the job site while work is being performed.  Youth of the ages 16 and 17 can help on construction tasks but cannot use power tools or work on the roof, ladders or scaffolding. Groups of youth can volunteer but there must be a one adult to four youth ratio. 

How can someone get started? 

Each young person should discuss with an adult sponsor which activities they wish to perform.   A list of activities is provided below.   Once you pick your project please contact Habitat Volunteer Manager to get started. 407-648-4567 ext 407 jgallagher@habitat-orlando.org  

Can the young person use this for community service for school or service clubs? 

Yes, as long as the form has been filled out and the hours verified by the adult sponsor.   Those with court-ordered community service need to contact Habitat prior to the performing their hours to ensure that the time will count.

What if there is a group who wishes to volunteer? 

If you have a group of young folks, then it is probably best to plan activities where most of the tasks can be accomplished away from the job site (for example, making snacks and then bringing them to the site).  For a few tasks we can take small groups of 5-7 folks.  Please discus your options with the Habitat Volunteer Manager.

What’s this about posting art on your web site? 

We plan to post young folk’s art (paintings, drawings, writing) on our web site. We hope to keep each person’s art work there for at least three month. We will only identify the young person by their first name and last initial to protect their privacy. If you wish the items to be returned please include a self addressed, stamped envelope.

Questions?  Contact Jennifer Gallagher at (407)-648-4567 ext 407 or email her at jgallagher@habitat-orlando.org.
 

Building on Youth Program 

The Building on Youth Program with Habitat Orlando is a four phase program: Learn, Act, Reflect, Celebrate.

1. Learn – Choose one activity

• Attend a house dedication – all ages
• Read: Nickel and Dimed, On (Not) Getting By in by Barbara Ehrenreich, If I had a hammer – for older teens
• Read one of the children’s books produced by Habitat International: Grandpa's Hammer, Raising the Roof, Doorway to the World or Building Friends – for younger kids
• Read a recent edition of Habitat International's publication, Habitat World www.habitat.org
• Learn about how Habitat builds in other countries
• Interview a volunteer
• Visit the Global Village Center or Habitat headquarters in Americus GA
• Play the Habitat game or do one of the Habitat puzzles found on the Habitat International site.
• Visit www.raisethefloor.org to learn about surviving on a minimum wage income
  

2. Act – Choose two activities*

• Build a habitat style dog house and donate it to a animal rescue organization
• Lead a devotion at the job site
• Interview a homeowner for an article for our web site or newsletter
• Make and deliver a snack to the job site
• Draw greeting cards for us to give donors and volunteers
• Visit our warehouse and write a message to the homeowner on a stud that will go into the home
• Construct a small project like bird houses, window box, bat house, etc. to give to a homeowner (we have plans)
• Lead a prayer, sing or play music at a home dedication
• Hold a bake sale at church to raise money for Habitat
• Attend a Habitour at our office
• Collect donations for one of our dedications
• Make table decorations for special events
• Create posters for groups to use for volunteering – especially if your church or group is sponsoring a home
• Make announcements at your group meeting when volunteers are needed
• Decorate pots for house plants
• Create a stepping stone for the partner family’s yard
• Organize and hold a Habitat fundraiser to help build a home
• Challenge your group to collect pennies to help build a home
• Write notes to home owners
• Get your schools photography class to have a Habitat photo contest
• Organize a Vacation Bible School week with Habitat at your church
• Promote our new recycling program and have a “cans for homes” collection at your school
• Decorate bags for jobsite lunches (younger kids)
• Make and deliver lunches for a job site work day

3. Reflect – Choose one activity

• Create a picture through photography, painting, drawing, etc. or write an essay or story about your Habitat experience or what home means to you.

4. Celebrate!

• Turn in your “I did it” form along with any artwork, stories, or essays you created.
  
• We’ll add your contribution to our web site and send your “Building on youth” certificate to you. Please note that only first name and last initial will be used on the web site to preserve privacy of participants.  Items will be returned if sent with a self addressed, stamped envelope.

* Once you decide on your project please contact Jennifer Gallagher (407) -648-4567 ext 407 or jgallagher@habitat-orlando.org, to get started. 

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