Volunteering FAQ
About Rebuilding Together and Rebuild 1000
What is Rebuilding Together?
What is Rebuilding Together's Expertise?
What is Rebuild 1000?
About Volunteering with Rebuild 1000
What expenses are covered?
When should I arrive and when should I depart?
How do I get to the Gulf?
What should I bring?
What are the housing facilities like?
Do I need to be experienced in construction or home repair?
Can I come by myself or do I need to be with a group?
Do homeowners pay?
What type of work is done?
Why repair and not start over?
What are the selection criteria for the homes we repair?
How do I communicate my feedback to the Rebuild 1000 team?
How do I stay engaged after my project?
Rebuilding Together is a national nonprofit with a network of nearly 225 affiliates across the United States. Our mission is to preserve affordable housing by bringing volunteers and communities together to rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners. To learn more about Rebuilding Together, CLICK HERE.
What is Rebuilding Together's expertise?
Rebuilding Together is national organization revitalizing and preserving homes for elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners. In 2007, the organization rehabilitated more than 9,000 homes and non-profit community facilities across the country, all at no cost to the recipients. About 300,000 volunteers provided over 3 million hours of labor, helping Rebuilding Together leverage every donated dollar to provide four times the market value. With this level of organization and expertise, Rebuilding Together is in a unique position to repair and renovate damaged low-income homes and community facilities and advance the long-term recovery of the Gulf Coast region.
In the aftermath of a disaster it is often the most vulnerable among us who are left in damaged, wet, cold, and unsafe housing. It is our mission to preserve affordable housing by bringing volunteers and communities together to rehabilitate the homes of these often low-income homeowners. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and in the spirit of this mission, Rebuilding Together launched the Disaster Recovery & Reconstruction Initiative and a commitment to Rebuild 1000 homes across the Gulf Coast.
Rebuild 1000 and our partnering Gulf Coast affiliates arrange for housing, 3 meals a day, and transportation to and from the worksite each day. All other expenses, including transportation to and from the housing facility at the beginning/end of the Project Work Week are the responsibility of the volunteer.
When should I arrive and when should I depart?
Volunteer orientation begins around 6:00pm (local time) on the Sunday before work begins. The orientation is often held at the housing facility. You should arrive in plenty of time to attend this important gathering. Most volunteers depart on Saturday morning after the Project Work Week, often around 10:00am (local time). As a reminder, volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the volunteer housing facility.
The majority of Rebuild 1000 volunteers travel to the Gulf by commercial flights. Depending on the location of your Project Work Week you may want to fly into Louis Armstrong International (MSY) in New Orleans, Gulport - Biloxi Airport (GPT), Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH), or Lafayette Regional Airport (LAF). Ground transportation from these airports to the housing facility is easily acquired. Some of our volunteers choose to drive their car or RV to our Project Work Weeks, but we can not guarantee availability of parking.
- Medical insurance card
- Driver’s license
- Medications/medical devices and backups/extras
- Sun screen
- Hat
- Sun glasses
- Bug repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Rain gear
- Work boots
- Clothes (check weather report)
- Camera
- Cell phone plus extra battery
- Cell phone charger
- Reading materials
- Writing materials
- Money for incidentals
- Bedding: sleeping bag/air mattress, sheets, pillow
- Towels/wash cloths
- Work gloves
- Rubber gloves
- Flip Flop Sandals
What are the housing facilities like?
Housing facilities differ from location to location, but generally they are dormitory style with common lounge and dining areas. Restrooms and showers are often shared and located in a separate building at the facility. Many of the housing facilities we use have internet access and air conditioning. Because of the demand for volunteer housing in Gulf, we can not confirm a particular facility as a host for our volunteers until 10 days before the Project Work Week. Please visit our VOLUNTEER HOUSING page to learn more about an individual facility.
Do I need to be experienced in construction or home repair?
No. Rebuild 1000 accepts volunteers with all levels of skill, from the novice to the professional tradesperson. There is, however, a special need for skilled trades volunteers. CLICK HERE to find out more about our Skilled Trades Initiative.
Can I come by myself or do I need to be with a group?
Many of our volunteers come in groups, but Rebuild 1000 welcomes anyone who is willing to help us in our recovery effort along the Gulf Coast. If you are coming alone or with a few friends you will likely be placed with larger groups attending the same Project Work Week.
All repairs are free for homeowners. Most labor and many materials are donated.
Rebuilding Together provides renovations to homeowner occupied homes that are necessary to assure the homeowners live in safe and comfortable conditions. Repairs and renovations may be modest or more extensive -- as necessary to meet the homeowners’ basic needs and improve the appearance of the property to the benefit of the overall neighborhood.
Why repair and not start over?
A home is more than four walls; it is also part of a family’s history. Thousands of Gulf Coast families have no choice but to start over. Where homes still stand and can be repaired, it is important that families have the opportunity to rebuild. With over 30 years of home rehabilitation and modification experience, we can help them.
What are the selection criteria for the homes we repair?
- The project is within the proximity of a local Rebuilding Together affiliate and/or is within the ability of Rebuilding Together to cover the service area.
- The project serves persons whose homes received less than 60% damage as a direct result of hurricanes in 2005.
- The scope of the project addresses the issue of providing secure housing that is safe, warm and dry.
- The repair services benefit low-income homeowners and/or homeowners whose income was jeopardized as a direct result of the hurricanes.
- The repair services benefit owner-occupied homes, with proof of homeownership provided.
- The scope of the project would not otherwise be covered by homeowner’s and/or flood insurance, the homeowner does not have homeowner’s and/or flood insurance, or the scope of work exceeds the FEMA adjustment schedule allowances, and that projects for which there is insurance coverage are paid for by the homeowner as the insurance intends.
How do I communicate my feedback to the Rebuild 1000 team?
Feedback from volunteers who have returned from a Project Work Week is invaluable to the continuing success and growth of our initiative. All volunteers are encouraged to fill out the VOLUNTEER SURVEY upon the completion of the project.
How do I stay engaged after my project?
Volunteering with Rebuild 1000 is a great experience. To stay engaged after returning from your Project Work Week join the REBUILD 1000 NETWORK, an online social networking site for volunteers, staff,, and friends of the Rebuild 1000 program to stay connected, share photos and videos, and discuss their experiences.