Building with Youth
1. What is the Building with Youth Program?
Habitat for Humanity of Durham is committed to involving young people in helping to solve the
problem of poverty housing and address the need for affordable housing. This program gives
youth an organized way to be involved and ultimately acknowledges their contribution. This is a
four-part program that involves learning about HFHD, helping HFHD by doing at least two
approved activities and reflecting on the experience. Each participant, who completes the
program, will be presented with a HABIreward of their choosing.
2. How do I get started?
Look over the materials, make your decisions and discuss which activities you wish to perform
with an adult sponsor/parent. A list of approved activities is provided in this packet of
information. For some tasks will require coordination with the HFHD staff.
3. Is adult supervision required?
It depends…Yes; a 1 adult/2 child ratio is required for activities that occur at HFHD. Many of the
listed activities might not require direct supervision.
4. Why can’t I just build a home?
Because of safety concerns and NC labor laws, youth under 16 years of age are not allowed on
the job site while work is being performed. Youth 16 & 17 years of age can build on the jobsite
but cannot use power tools or work on the roof, ladders or scaffolding.
5. Can youth help at the Habitat Re-Stores?
14 & 15 year holds can help at the Re-Store with an adult (parent or guardian) working beside
them and a signed release of liability. 16 & 17 year olds can volunteer independently.
6. What if I have an idea that isn’t on the approved activities list?
Great! Just discuss it with Rebecca Leonard at Habitat for Humanity of Durham.
rleonard@durhamhabitat.org or call 919-682-0516 ext. 121
7. Can I use this for community service for school or service clubs?
Yes, as long as the school’s form has been filled out and the hours verified by the adult sponsor
and a Habitat Staff Member. Those with court-ordered community service need to contact
HFHD prior to the performing their hours to ensure that the time will count.
8. What if I have a group that wants to volunteer together?
Great! If you have a group, 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). Please discus your options with Rebecca Leonard.
Questions? Call Rebecca at 919-682-0516 ext. 121 or email rleonard@durhamhabitat.org
Earn your HabiREWARD by……
1. Learn – Choose two activities
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Attend a house dedication! For times/dates contact Rebecca at
rleonard@durhamhabitat.org – all ages can participate in this
Read part or all of Nickel and Dimed, On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara
Ehrenreich – 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
Visit and explore our web site at www.durhamhabitat.org
Watch 5 Habitat videos on www.YouTube.com
At www.habitat.org read a recent edition of Habitat International’s publication, Habitat
World
Learn about how Habitat builds in other countries
Check out Habitat for Humanity international’s website www.habitat.org
Check out the Habitat Restore of Durham and Orange Counties website at
www.durhamhabitat.org/restore/
Visit the Global Village Center or Habitat headquarters in Americus Georgia
Play the Habitat game or do one of the Habitat puzzles found on the HFHI web site.
Play SPENT at http://playspent.org/
2. Act – Choose two activities (if you need guidance with this, contact Rebecca Leonard)
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Play SPENT at http://playspent.org/’
Purchase a “Building a Better World Youth Activity Set” at www.habitatgiftshop.com/
Make advocacy signs for Habitat for Humanity of Durham
Write and send letters to your elected officials advocating for affordable housing
Lead a devotion at the job site
Interview a homeowner for an article for our web site or newsletter
Provide and bring lunch or a snack to the job site
Draw greeting cards for us to use to give thank donors and volunteers
Visit a site and write a message to the homeowner on a stud that will go into the home
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Construct a small project like bird houses, window box, bat house, etc. to give to a
homeowner (for plans see web site)
Help a homeowner clean their house before they move in- 5 people maximum.
Make and/or contribute something that can be a door prize at homeowner dedication
Interview a Durham Habitat Geezer (a “Senior Builder” on the work site); write a report
and a follow up thank you note.
Lead a prayer, sing or play music at a home dedication
Hold a bake sale to raise money for HFHD
Create posters for groups to use for volunteering – especially if your church or group is
sponsoring a home
Make announcements in your church/School Club when volunteers are needed
Decorate pots for house plants
Create a stepping stone for the new homeowners
Challenge your group to collect pennies to use to help fund a home. House banks can
be obtained at HFHD.
Create your dream house out of Legos or other building blocks, then take a picture and
send to Rebecca
Help with set up and clean up during Youth United kickoff celebration – usually in
August or September
Commit to serving Youth United for the coming academic year
If you would like to do an activity not listed here, please send request to Rebecca at
rleonard@durhamhabitat.org
3. Reflect – Choose one activity
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Create a picture through photography, painting, drawing, etc.
Turn in your “I did it” form along with any artwork, stories, or essays you created.
Write a prayer for HFHD to use at home kickoffs/dedications and other special events
Write an essay or story about your Habitat experience or what home means to you.
Upon completion of this program, you will be receiving a certificate and a HABIreward of
your choosing.
Building with Youth
Contact info for youth volunteer (for group please attach a list)
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________ _______
City, state, zip code: ____________________________________________________________________
Age: _________________________________________________________________________________
Contact info for adult sponsor
Name: ________________________________________________________________________ _______
Address (if different): _____________________________________________________________ ______
City, state, zip code (if different): ____________________________________________________ _____
Phone or email: __________________________________________________________________ _____
Learn – please describe the activities you did to learn about Habitat;
1)
2)
Act – please describe the activities you did to help HFHD
1)
2)
Reflect – please describe the activity you did email to rleonard@durhamhabitat.org Time spent:
1)
Youth volunteer: Please sign here to verify that you completed the above activities
Sign and date______________________________________
Adult sponsor verification: Please sign here to verify that the young person completed the above
activities
Sign and date____________________________________
Please deliver to; Rebecca Leonard, Habitat for Humanity of Durham, 215 N. Church St. Durham NC
27701