Building Houses, Building Hope, Building Philadelphia.

Volunteer on a Committee

Our volunteers do MUCH more than build houses!  Community members from a wide variety of backgrounds are essential to Habitat Philadelphia’s growth.  We welcome you to bring your expertise, connections and passion to one of the various committees that plan and maintain Habitat’s programs. 

The following committees are always looking for new members!  Please contact the appropriate staff member to learn about getting involved.

ReStore Advisory Committee: A new committee designed to support the Habitat Philadelphia ReStore in developing and implementing a marketing strategy to generate customers and quality, consistent donations. The committee will  help guide the ReStore's growth and ensure that  the ReStore reaches its full potential in generating critical funds to support Habitat Philadelphia's home building projects. Ideally, committee volunteers have marketing and retail experience.  If interested, please contact Corinne O'Connell for a full committee description at corinneo@habitatphiladelphia.org, or 215-765-6000 x22.

Family Services Committee:  The committee focuses on selecting Habitat’s Partner Families and supporting them throughout the homeownership process.  The committee screens, interviews and recommends prospective families for acceptance into the Habitat homeownership program. The success of this program depends on fair, objective and non-discriminatory selection policies.  Committee members must be able to meet intensive time demands (for regular meetings, home visits, and consistent contact with staff and families) and respect the confidentiality of applicants.  Members must be comfortable interviewing applicants and conducting home visits, and thus should be sensitive and relate well to others in one-on-one interactions.  For more information contact Meghan Tidwell, Director of Family Services, at 215 765 6000 x13 or meghant@habitatphiladelphia.org.

Event Committee: The Event Committee exists to support the Development team in planning, orchestrating, and assisting with fundraising and other special events that serve to raise critical funds, cultivate relationships with new and existing donors, educate the community about the need for affordable housing, and raise Habitat Philadelphia’s profile as an organization. Members of the Event Committee play a leadership role in Habitat Philadelphia’s large annual fundraiser, the Building HOPE Luncheon. For more Information contact Corinne O’Connell, Director of Development and Communications, at 215-765-6000 x22 or corinneo@habitatphiladelphia.org. 

Resource Development Committee:  The Resource Development committee exists to support and further the mission of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia through the effective stewardship of financial and publicity resources. The committee is involved with networking and advocacy on behalf of the affiliate, provides input to the overall fundraising and publicity strategies to meet quarterly financial goals, and brings people of influence into the supporting circle of Habitat Philadelphia. For more information contact Corinne O’Connell, Director of Development and Communications, at 215-765-6000 x22 or Corinneo@habitatphiladelphia.org.

Young Professionals Steering Committee: Habitat Philadelphia is in the process of starting a Young Professionals group. The members of this philanthropic networking group will be committed to making a difference in Philadelphia through volunteering, fundraising, advocating, and spreading the word about Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. The Young Professionals Steering Committee is helping to form this group, and will eventually guide the members, through planning fundraising and networking events, and coordinating group build days.  For more information contact Caitlin Holland, Development and Communications Coordinator, at 215-765-6000 x17 or caitlinh@habitatphiladelphia.org.

Site Acquisition and Construction Committee:  The primary roles of the committee are:  to serve as a resource for the project planning and construction staff to help accomplish Habitat’s mission in Philadelphia; and to formally approve housing development proposals through approvals of property acquisition, building plans, and property development budgets.  The committee seeks individuals with these backgrounds, and has particular need for real estate, energy consulting, and land surveying expertise.  For more information contact Troy Hannigan, Project Manager, at troyh@habitatphiladelphia.org.

Weatherization and Home Repair Program (WHRP) Committee:  The WHRP is a new program that expands on Habitat’s traditional homeownership model to provide critical home repair, weatherization and façade improvement services to low income homeowners in Philadelphia. Like Habitat’s traditional homeownership model, the WHRP combines a no-interest construction loan, homeowner participation (sweat equity) and volunteer labor to provide affordable housing solutions to low income families. 

The WHRP committee is searching for enthusiastic and engaged supporters to take on some of the critical roles necessary to help start this program.  The committee has a variety of different opportunities for getting involved, from sitting on the Site Acquisition and Construction or Family Services sub-committees to working on special marketing or research projects. Weatherization, green building, construction, housing counseling, marketing, business, advocacy and social work are just some of the areas covered by the committee.  For more information contact Emily Lucas, WHRP Director, at emilyl@habitatphiladelphia.org or 215 765 6000 x23.