Volunteer Opportunities in the Gulf Coast

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The response from concerned individuals willing to volunteer their time to help with the recovery effort has been heartening, and we at Habitat are truly humbled by it.

You will find listed below a description of volunteer opportunities. The building effort in the Gulf is on-going so volunteers are needed on a continual basis. Just pick a week or two you would like to volunteer and come join us.

A lot of work has been done, but there’s more to do! To join the thousands of volunteers that have travelled to the Gulf Coast, please e-mail hurricanerecovery@habitat.org or call 1-800-422-4828, ext.2196.

ALABAMA

MOBILE, Alabama - Mobile County HFH
Volunteers arrive each Sunday, work Monday-Saturday. Schedules are flexible.

Accommodations
Volunteers can stay at stay at the Seton Center, a lodging facility administered by the Archdiocese of Mobile, for a fee of $10 per night per person, and $5 per week for bedding if you don’t bring your own. The lunch cost is $5 per day. Volunteers are encouraged to make a donation of $100 / week (this includes lunch every day) to help the affiliate with expenses. Volunteers should bring: towel, sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable work clothes, shoes with closed toe and heel. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation.

RV’s: Visit www.mobile.org for a list of RV accommodations.

LOUISIANA

COVINGTON, Louisiana – HFH St. Tammany West
Volunteers arrive for orientation on Monday afternoon, work Tuesday-Saturday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at local churches or other lodging arranged by the affiliate. Volunteers should bring: bedding, toiletries, shower shoes, comfortable work clothes, a hat, closed-toe shoes, gloves, nail apron and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation and all meals.

RV’s:
Fontainebleau State Park or Fairview Riverside State Park

HAMMOND, Louisiana – Ginger Ford HFH
Volunteers build Tuesday – Saturday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at Camp Living Waters 21230 Living Waters Rd., Loranger, LA 70446
in dorm-style housing (bunk beds) with access to a full-service kitchen and gym for $18.75 per person per night. Breakfast is provided at the camp, and lunch is provided at the build site. Volunteers should bring their own bedding, towels, work shoes with closed toe and heel, cool clothes, hat, and sunscreen. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation.

RV’s:
Hookups are available at Camp Living Waters

LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana – Calcasieu HFH
Volunteers usually work Monday-Friday and depart on Saturday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at the United Way SWLA Volunteer Housing Center (the old Moss Bluff Middle School). The center provides a shared commercial kitchen, showers, and bunk beds. These are open rooms set up dormitory style with separate facilities for men and women. There is no cost for housing. Volunteers should bring bedding, towel, comfortable work clothes, shoes with closed toe and heel.

Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation. Lunch is provided on site.

RV’s:
Hookups are available at Sam Houston Jones State Park or Whispering Meadow RV Park

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – New Orleans Area HFH
If you are interested in volunteering in New Orleans, please contact Volunteer Office at volunteer@habitat-nola.org , or visit their website at www.habitat-nola.org to sign up as a volunteer or arrange housing.

Volunteers usually work Tuesday-Saturday. New Orleans age requirements allow volunteers aged 14 and 15 to perform non constructed related activities. Volunteers aged 16 and 17 can help on the build site, but are not allowed to use power tools or perform any construction activity above 12 feet. Must be accompanied by parental/adult supervision.

RV’s:
St. Bernard State Park, 888-677-7823 toll free.

SLIDELL, Louisiana - East St. Tammany HFH
Volunteers arrive on Sunday, work Monday-Friday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at local churches in Slidell. The cost is $100 per week per person if you decide to stay in volunteer housing provided by the affiliate. If you make other housing arrangements, the affiliate asks for a $50 donation per person. Volunteers should bring: bedding, toiletries, shower shoes, comfortable work clothes, a hat, closed-toe shoes, hammer, gloves, nail apron and tape measure. Volunteers will be responsible for their own transportation.

RV’s:
Central Baptist Church
890 Robert Blvd, Slidell, LA
Pearl River United Methodist Church
65480 Hwy 41, Pearl River, LA

THIBODAUX, Louisiana - Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers arrive on Sunday, work Monday-Friday, and depart on the following Saturday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay in modified Habitat homes at a nominal cost. The houses have refrigerator, stove, washer/dryer, showers, and cots for sleeping. Volunteers should bring: bedding or a sleeping bag, towel, comfortable work clothes, shoes with closed toes and heels, gloves, nail apron/tool belt and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation. Lunch is provided on site.

MISSISSIPPI

BAY ST. LOUIS, Mississippi – Bay / Waveland Area Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers arrive on Sunday, work Monday-Friday and depart on the following Saturday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at Lagniappe Church in Bay St. Louis. The housing is bunk-house style divided by gender. There are shower facilities and a large cafeteria-style dining area that provides three meals per day. Volunteers should bring: bedding, toiletries, shower shoes, comfortable work clothes, a hat, shoes with closed toes and heels, gloves, nail apron and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation.

RV’s:
For RV parking contact Bay / Waveland Habitat for Humanity

BILOXI, Mississippi – HFH of the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Volunteers arrive on Monday work Tuesday through Friday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at Habitat Village located at Yankie Stadium in East Biloxi, an old high school football stadium owned by the Salvation Army. HFHMGC utilizes the west side of the field which includes four bunkhouses and the bleacher area which has been completely renovated and is now a lounge area for volunteers. It includes computers, wireless internet, dining area for volunteers, bunk beds, bathrooms/showers and a washer /dryer facility. Pricing includes lodging, three meals a day, Tuesday through Friday. Dinner served on Monday evening after orientation and a continental breakfast is available on Saturday morning.

RVs:
The RV Park is adjacent to the volunteer housing at Yankie Stadium. Full hook-ups are available.

If you are interested in volunteering in Biloxi, Mississippi at Mississippi Gulf Coast, please contact volunteer@hfhmgc.org , or visit their website at http://www.hfhmgc.org/get_involved/volunteer/ to register as a volunteer.

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi - Hattiesburg Habitat for Humanity
Volunteer arrive Sunday, Work Monday through Friday

Accommodations
Volunteers stay in shared accommodations, in houses in our Habitat Homes for a nominal fee per person.. The houses have a refrigerator, stove, washer/dryer, showers, and cots for sleeping. Volunteers should bring: bedding or a sleeping bag, towel, comfortable work clothes, shoes with closed toes and heels, gloves, nail apron/tool belt and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation.

RV’s:
Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center
Hattiesburg, MS 39401

TEXAS

BEAUMONT, Texas – Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers arrive on Sunday, Work Monday through Friday. Volunteers must be 16 or older.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at the Holiday Inn Midtown or the YMCA in Port Arthur, 17 miles outside of Beaumont,.

The YMCA in Port Arthur charges a nominal fee for the week and is dormitory style lodging. Volunteers staying at the YMCA should bring bedding. Holiday Inn Midtown is coordinated through the affiliate at a discounted rate. Volunteers should bring: toiletries, shower shoes, comfortable work clothes, a hat, closed-toe shoes, gloves, nail apron and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation. Water and lunch are provided on the worksite.

RV’s:
East Lucas Park: 2590 East Lucas;
Gulf Coast Park: 5175 Brooks Rd.
Mobile Manor: 5375 Fannet Rd.
Spindletop Park: 4950 W Cardinal Dr.