UPC/Habitat for Humanity

Q: Who are you?

A: The UPC/Habitat for Humanity Partnership is an Urban and Global Missions lay ministry that seeks to help provide decent, affordable housing for families in need. We primarily work with Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County by coming alongside a Seattle family, and providing construction volunteers and funding to build a home together. In addition, we seek to reflect Christ’s love by providing friendly and helpful advocacy for our partner family as they transition into homeownership. For a slightly more detailed response, please refer to the About Us page.

Q: How can I learn more about Habitat for Humanity?

A: Please follow the links for Habitat for Humanity internationally or locally on the sidebar to the left or on the External Links page.

Q: What's the current local Habitat project that UPC is participating in?

A: Read about our current efforts on the Our Current House page for more information.

Q: What kind of work is done at the construction site?

A: All kinds, depending on the stage of construction from week to week. Volunteers set foundations, frame the house, add waterproofing and siding, hang drywall, dig ditches for pipes and electricity, hang doors and windows, install sinks and showers, ... Most activities related to building a house are done by volunteers at the site with a few others left to licensed contractors.

Q: It sounds very technical, do I need to have experience?

A: Not at all. One of the great things about Habitat is that the construction site is staffed with contractors and seasoned builders who start the day by teaching volunteers how to accomplish that day's tasks. They also oversee the work throughout the day to answer questions and make sure it proceeds correctly. Regardless of your degree of experience, you're certain to find something to do at the worksite that is helpful and within your comfort level.

Q: I'd like to volunteer, how do I get started?

A: Your first step to volunteering is to attend a Habitat-required Safety and Information meeting. To attend a meeting sponsored by UPC, please contact Terry Proctor at 206.915.3555. You can also attend a training hosted by Habitat of Seattle/South King County by checking the Volunteer Orientation offerings on their calendar.

Q: Is there a minimum age for volunteers?

A: Yes. Habitat requires volunteers to be 16 years old, and for parents of teenagers to sign a waiver of liability, available at the build site

Q: I'm part of a small group and think that working at the construction site would be a great team-building experience for our group. Is it possible to arrange a personalized Safety and Information training session for our group?

A: Definitely! We believe that a Habitat work day can be an excellent experience for a small group and would be happy to try and schedule a training session during your group's normal meeting time. For more information, please send mail to small-groups@upchabitat.org .

Q: OK, I've attended a training session...now what?

A: Once you’ve attended a Safety & Information meeting, your next step is to sign up for a date to volunteer. UPC has committed to fill 5 volunteer slots each Friday and 10 slots each Saturday. We use a public website called Volunteer Hub to manage these volunteer slots. For an introduction to using Volunteer Hub, please refer to the Volunteer Information page.

Q: My work day is here...what do I need to do to prepare?

A: Don't worry, work days are a lot of fun. Habitat asks that each volunteer bring work gloves, a tape measure, a hammer, a pencil, and a utility knife (if you have trouble bringing the tools, don’t fret -- there are typically plenty to go around). You'll also want to bring a water bottle and typically a lunch (you'll be notified by email if lunch is being provided on your work day). Also, you’ll want to wear grubby clothes and tough shoes that you don’t mind getting filthy. Otherwise, just be ready to help! Habitat’s staff will teach you everything you need to know. Just remember to be aware of your own limits and to let people know if you’ve been asked to do anything that you either don’t understand or are uncomfortable with.

Q: How do I reach the worksite?

A: The High Point site is located at 2707 South Andover Street (near 4015 Martin Luther King Way Jr S)

View Larger Map From I-5 Heading North:

• Merge onto I-5 N toward Seattle
• Take the M L King Way exit, Exit 157
• Merge onto Martin Luther King Jr. Way S.
• Make a U-turn at S. Walden Street onto Martin Luther King Jr. Way S.
• End at 2707 South Andover St.
• Park one block south of the construction site (south of Lilac Street)

From I-5 Heading South:

• Merge onto I-5 S
• Merge onto I-90 E via Exit 164 toward Bellevue/Spokane
• Take the Rainier Ave S exit, Exit 3
• Turn right onto Rainier Ave S/WA-167
• Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Way S
• End at 2707 South Andover St.
• Park one block south of the construction site (south of Lilac Street)

Q: I haven't volunteered in awhile and don't remember how to use Volunteer Hub. Any tips?

A: Yes, we have extensive tips on using Volunteer Hub available on the Volunteer Information page.

Q: I volunteer frequently...I don't really need to sign up every time do I?

A: Signing up each time you volunteer is very important! Unexpected volunteers have been turned away from the worksite due to insufficient supervision/tasks to be completed. For this reason, it is very important that you register your plans to volunteer using Volunteer Hub. For a refresher on using Volunteer Hub, please refer to the Volunteer Information page.

Q: I'm not able to volunteer at the construction site. Is there some other way that I can help with this ministry?

A: Definitely -- there are numerous ways to help out! Please refer to the "How Can I Help?" page for several ideas (and we're always interested in finding other creative ways to help as well).

Q: How should I keep up with what's going on?

A: Keep an eye on this website, which we try to update frequently with new information and photos. Also, if you've given us your email address when you signed up to volunteer, you should receive occasional mailings from the UPC/Habitat task force with important announcements (if you haven't given us your email or it has changed, please let us know at e-mailings@upchabitat.org ).

Q: What if I have other questions that are not answered here?

A: Please feel free to send us an email -- see the Contact Us page for a list of our email aliases for different aspects of the ministry.