Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer Contact Form
None of the information you provide below will be used beyond coordinating your volunteering inquiry. We do not share or give away your information with any other group, organization, or ministry, except when lawfully compelled.
Waiver Form
Please have everyone in your group download the yearly waiver; print and fill out the second form.
Mission Trip Information
Mission Trip Information
Project Overview
The mission of House to House is to develop, strengthen and rebuild the homes of Washington Park – both the physical structures and the families who live in them – teaching, mentoring, discipling and sharing our lives with each family we serve. This is happening in a context of other complementary ministries which have made similar long-term commitments to the spiritual, physical, economic, educational, health care and recreational needs of the community. Our major partner ministry is Common Ground Montgomery (www.cgmlife.org) - a ministry that focuses on the children of Washington Park, providing after school activities and a summer camp, among many other things.
House to House (H2H) has several homes under construction continuously. Most homes are extensive renovations but some are new homes. While H2H always hires professional subcontractors to install electrical, plumbing and HVAC improvements, volunteer workers are invited to help with every other part of the construction process. Volunteers are not required to have prior construction experience. Staff and volunteer group leaders will be available to explain how to do the work scheduled for any given day. If a volunteer feels uncomfortable for any reason doing the work scheduled, he or she is provided with something else to do.
Your actual work assigned for the week will depend on the skills of your team members.
All tools, materials and safety equipment is provided for volunteer workers. Each project begins with a description of the work planned and what materials, tools and safety equipment are required.
Living Arrangements
We provide a guest house that sleeps up to 40 people and has 3 full bathrooms (within 2 blocks from our offices)
Meals
There is a fridge and microwave in the house and is suitable for breakfast and snacks, but all other meals will need to be prepared at the Common Ground ministry building.
You will need to provide your own food. Also please provide water for the work site times.
While it is less expensive to prepare your own meals, local restaurants would appreciate the opportunity to help feed your group. This investment in local businesses contributes to the transformation of the neighborhood.
Group Dynamics
Team Size: up to 40 members
Age: Due to the nature of construction work, we require that younger children that come as part of a family mission trip be accompanied by a parent.
Leadership: Group leaders must be present with the group at all times. If there are both young men and young women on the team, both a male and female leader must accompany the group. A ratio of 5:1 or 6:1 youth to adults is desired along with appropriate skill levels for each team leader (Tasks and skills assessment will be provided upon confirmation of your team). Supervision of assigned tasks will be provided by H2H construction staff.
Transportation
H2H does not have vehicles for the transportation of teams.
Cost
The cost of renovating a home can really be helped by groups that are able to contribute a monetary donation along with the service hours, therefore, a $40 per person/ day is suggested to cover lodging and project expenses. H2H will work with each team regarding costs for each mission as each project is different.
This fees assists H2H with the cost of:
materials and tools during the week
safety equipment such as hard hats, dust masks, etc.
construction staff to lead the projects
This fee does NOT cover:
Transportation costs
Food costs
Any medical/emergency costs
Typical Schedule
Below is a week-long trip description. If your team cannot come for a whole week, we can work out a schedule for the amount of days you are available to come.
As you begin to assemble your team we suggest recruiting one person who will also lead devotions. If you do not have your own material we can suggest a devotional booklet to purchase for your use. The devotional will include follow-up questions that leaders may use for the evening debriefing sessions. An orientation will be provided by a member of H2H.
The staff of H2H and Common Ground are willing and open to leading teaching and training/devotional times for your group as well.
Saturday Arrival
Plan on arriving Saturday after lunch
Check-in and orientation to housing facility by H2H staff
Sunday
Breakfast
Worship with Trinity Presbyterian (a nearby PCA church who lovingly welcomes our groups) or local neighborhood church (Times of services will be given to you in our planning correspondence)
Lunch
On your own- We suggest a self guided orientation to the Montgomery area followed by dinner (we can provide help planning this)
7:00pm Orientation to House to House and Common Ground at the Common Ground facility
Monday – Friday
Options for the day may include participation with Common Ground in their summer day camp. This varies from week to week which may include a split day of construction in the morning followed by CGM activities in the afternoon. Please let us know if you’d like to coordinate with CGM for this type of trip. Visit www.cgmlife.org for an overview of this amazing ministry!
All Day Construction
6:30 – 7:30 AM Breakfast
7:45 Meet at Common Ground facility for check-out of tools
8:00 – Noon On Worksites (Include at least one 15min. break)
Noon-1:00 PM Lunch, team devotionals, rest
1:15-3:30 PM On worksites
3:30 – 4:00 PM Clean up worksite and bring tools back to facility
4:00-5:30PM Shower and prep for dinner
5:30-7:30 Dinner
8:00 – 9:30 PM Devotional, debriefing, team time, recreation
11:00 PM Lights out
Saturday
Breakfast
Clean-up of housing site
Check out and depart for home by 11:00 a.m.