Habitat ReStore basics
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Each donated item keeps quality and usable items out of the landfill, and each item sold is a great deal for our customers that generates money to further our mission.
Be flexible and prepared to work. We ask volunteers to be flexible and prepared for a good day's work, no matter the task. This may include assisting with: customer service, donation pick-ups, unloading and cleaning donations, organizing store shelves and displays, retail housekeeping and cleaning (including storefront and parking lot), and more. Ability to lift 20+ pounds is very helpful for most ReStore volunteering, but there are opportunities that do not require lifting.
Age restriction: 16-17 year-old volunteers can work at Habitat ReStore only after submitting a parental permission form. For more youth volunteering options, head to students and youth.
Schedule: Volunteer shifts at ReStore are generally available Monday through Saturday. Morning and afternoon shifts of three hours each are available; and a volunteer can sign-up for both shifts on one day if they prefer. Volunteers must be available for the entire shift. Saturdays are the most requested day, so if you can make it on a weekday, please choose that first. Volunteer teams (listed below) may work different schedules.
Attire: ReStore volunteering includes a warehouse and some truck unloading so be prepared to get dirty. You may also be going between inside and outside, so dress for the weather. A solid colored top, sneakers or work boots are required. Jeans are recommended and any shorts must be knee length (denim or cargo are acceptable). No tank tops, sandals or flip flops, you will be sent home.
Weather: We work year-round as long as conditions are safe. For issues of inclement weather, Habitat ReStore volunteering will close when the Rochester City School District closes.
Meetup location: We have two Habitat ReStore locations: 755 Culver Road and 2199 East Henrietta Road. You can choose your location when you sign-up.
Be flexible and prepared to work. We ask volunteers to be flexible and prepared for a good day's work, no matter the task. This may include assisting with: customer service, donation pick-ups, unloading and cleaning donations, organizing store shelves and displays, retail housekeeping and cleaning (including storefront and parking lot), and more. Ability to lift 20+ pounds is very helpful for most ReStore volunteering, but there are opportunities that do not require lifting.
Age restriction: 16-17 year-old volunteers can work at Habitat ReStore only after submitting a parental permission form. For more youth volunteering options, head to students and youth.
Schedule: Volunteer shifts at ReStore are generally available Monday through Saturday. Morning and afternoon shifts of three hours each are available; and a volunteer can sign-up for both shifts on one day if they prefer. Volunteers must be available for the entire shift. Saturdays are the most requested day, so if you can make it on a weekday, please choose that first. Volunteer teams (listed below) may work different schedules.
Attire: ReStore volunteering includes a warehouse and some truck unloading so be prepared to get dirty. You may also be going between inside and outside, so dress for the weather. A solid colored top, sneakers or work boots are required. Jeans are recommended and any shorts must be knee length (denim or cargo are acceptable). No tank tops, sandals or flip flops, you will be sent home.
Weather: We work year-round as long as conditions are safe. For issues of inclement weather, Habitat ReStore volunteering will close when the Rochester City School District closes.
Meetup location: We have two Habitat ReStore locations: 755 Culver Road and 2199 East Henrietta Road. You can choose your location when you sign-up.
Try it out
Looking to try it out or volunteer one day at a time? No problem!
ReStore teams
Volunteer teams give you the opportunity to work closely with others, build your skills and networks, and help us work more effectively towards our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
The following are our current, public ReStore teams:
To join one of these teams, email volunteering@rochesterhabitat.org.
The following are our current, public ReStore teams:
- ReStore reception team: Tasks include greeting customers, answering phones, answering questions, and scheduling donation pick-ups. Semi-regular schedule and excellent customer service required, training provided.
- ReStore logistics team: Tasks include traveling with a ReStore staff driver to pick up donated items, interacting with donors, loading and unloading large donations. Semi-regular schedule, excellent customer service, and ability to lift 50+ pounds required; training provided.
- ReStore deconstruction team: Tasked with disassembling donated kitchen cabinets and major appliances from a donors home or business. Semi-regular schedule, excellent customer service, ability to lift 25+ pounds, and experience with hand and power tools required.
- ReStore on-call team: No major time commitment needed, but flexible availability is a plus. If we're short on volunteers for the coming weeks, we'll send this team an email notification to help fill the gap. This team is especially important when we schedule high-quantity donation pick-ups from businesses and organizations.
- ReStore marketing teams: The students and youth and young professionals volunteer programs are forming teams to help ReStore reach more people.
To join one of these teams, email volunteering@rochesterhabitat.org.
Join the ReStore committee
Committee members are the core group of dedicated volunteers that work with Habitat staff to set goals, strategy, and processes for each volunteer program. More than just an "ideas committee", committee members must also be dedicated to implementing processes, performing tasks, and supporting teams to achieve goals.
Each individual on the committee can focus their efforts based on their interest, skills, and availability. Some focuses include: advocacy, event planning, liaison to partner organizations, outreach, research, promotions, photography, social media, volunteer coordination, recruitment and more.
If you are interested in joining our ReStore committee, please email volunteering@rochesterhabitat.org
Each individual on the committee can focus their efforts based on their interest, skills, and availability. Some focuses include: advocacy, event planning, liaison to partner organizations, outreach, research, promotions, photography, social media, volunteer coordination, recruitment and more.
If you are interested in joining our ReStore committee, please email volunteering@rochesterhabitat.org
