Volunteer Orientation
Pickens County Habitat for Humanity (PCHFH) is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities, and hope. PCHFH is one of 1,100 affiliates in the United States and the second oldest affiliate in South Carolina. PCHFH is dedicated to eliminating the use of substandard housing and providing homeownership opportunities to low-income individuals and families by:
1.Constructing new, affordable homes with the use of volunteer labor
2.Providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions and become successful homeowners
PCHFH was founded on the conviction that everyone should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. PCHFH aims to not only build sturdy homes, but to also create opportunities for individuals to build wealth through homeownership – often a first-time opportunity for low-to-moderate income individuals in the Pickens County community. A safe, decent, and affordable home improves the generational wealth of families, removes children from unsafe situations, and increases the likelihood of academic, career, and health success.
Since 1981, PCHFH has partnered with more than 10,000 community volunteers to build 114 homes housing more than 300 individuals in Pickens County.
Those seeking housing with PCHFH must meet certain criteria based on income, level of need, geographic location, and willingness to partner.
Partnering homeowners must have income. PCHFH partners with folks that earn 50-80% of the Household Area Median Income limits defined for the upstate by the state of S.C. Current income guidelines are available on our website at PickensHabitat.org. Past PCHFH homeowners have worked in education, retail, social services, and often multiple jobs at once. Because our partner families are working adults, volunteers may or may not come into contact with a homeowner completing their sweat-equity hours on site. PCHFH works with each homeowner's work schedule in completing their required sweat-equity hours.
Habitat homes are not given away for free. Once approved for the homeownership program, housing applicants must partner with the organization through a process known as “sweat-equity”. This component of the homeownership program requires an individual applicant to complete 200 hours of physical work building their own home and other Habitat homes and also includes the completion of financial literacy and home maintenance courses aimed at improving their success as future homeowners. Sweat-equity reduces the down payment of a Habitat home to $500 – which is often the most inaccessible part of buying a home for low-income people. Once the home construction and sweat-equity processes are complete, a Habitat home is sold to its future owner with a 35-year mortgage on a 0% interest, no-profit loan. The average monthly mortgage payment for a Habitat home is $425-$525.
Habitat homes are built primarily with volunteer labor. The cost to build a home will be passed on to the future homeowner’s mortgage. To keep this cost as low as possible, PCHFH and Habitat affiliates everywhere utilize the skill and passion of volunteers in the community to build homes. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate on an individual and group basis.
Volunteer Code of Conduct
Becoming a Pickens County Habitat for Humanity volunteer comes with great rewards and responsibilities. Volunteers are representatives of Pickens County Habitat for Humanity, and when volunteering, must be committed to act in a way that promotes PCHFH’s mission, respects the local community, and ensures the safety of all participants. In addition to complying with all laws, regulations and PCHFH policies, all volunteers are expected to follow the volunteer code of conduct outlined below. Failure to uphold the volunteer code of conduct will result in disciplinary action or termination of volunteer services.
Promote a respectful community: Treat all volunteers, employees and Habitat homeowners with respect, courtesy, and dignity. This includes avoiding the use of humiliating, demeaning, offensive, or otherwise insensitive language that fails to respect the dignity of the person. Volunteers are also expected to refrain from engaging in intimidation, physical, sexual, and/or emotional violence toward others. When referencing Habitat on social media, content should be governed by the principles of respect and preserving the dignity and privacy of all.
Prioritize site safety: Safety rules and guidelines on the volunteer site have been created to keep you and others safe as you volunteer, and must be followed. Activities that pose a safety risk to yourself or others should be avoided. Report any unsafe working conditions to the onsite supervisor.
Uphold a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol, drugs and weapons: With the exception of pre-approved special events, the purchase or possession of alcohol is strictly prohibited on Habitat for Humanity active volunteer sites. The purchase or possession of drugs or weapons is strictly prohibited on all PCHFH property.
Follow the gift giving policy: To avoid potential misunderstandings, embarrassment, injured feelings or jealousy, volunteers are asked not to exchange gifts with Habitat homeowners without consulting PCHFH staff. Volunteers may speak with a staff member about appropriate ways to exchange gifts, and staff is happy to suggest gifts that will benefit the entire community.
Protect PCHFH assets: Use reasonable care to protect all Habitat for Humanity resources. Stealing, misappropriation or diversion of PCHFH funds, property, or other assets for personal benefit is not permitted, nor is engaging in fraudulent activity regarding PCHFH’s assets, operations, or beneficiaries.
Maintain confidentiality: Build trust with other volunteers and PCHFH by respecting the confidentiality of volunteers, staff, PCHFH homeowners and community members. Unless you receive prior written approval from PCHFH, volunteers are prohibited from disclosing confidential Habitat information.
Speak up: PCHFH embraces a “see something, say something” culture. If you become aware of potential misconduct, help reinforce our culture of courage and accountability by sharing your concerns with an appropriate PCHFH staff or supervising volunteer.
Site Rules & Expectations:
- Pickens County Habitat serves families across the county and therefore will be building homes county-wide. Volunteers are expected to follow the work schedule and location set by the Construction Coordinator and affiliate to assist with the progression of home construction.
- Volunteer construction work is not allowed on any site without the PCHFH Construction Coordinator or a site leader who has completed Competent Person training present.
- All volunteers should notify the Construction Coordinator of their intent to attend or not attend their volunteer shift by 5pm the day prior.
- Volunteers must sign in before beginning work and sign out before leaving the job site.
- A clean job site minimizes accidents. Volunteers must clean up their tools and supplies and return them to their storage location before leaving the job site. Volunteers are expected to assist the Construction Coordinator in keeping the job site safe and clutter-free.
- Volunteers are essential to the completion of Habitat homes. To keep to a manageable construction timeline, volunteers are expected to move with the work pace set by the Construction Coordinator and affiliate.
Pickens County Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
Pickens County Habitat for Humanity Contacts
Tamara Dourney | Executive Director (864) 878-6374 tamaradourney@pickenshabitat.org
Kevin Parris | Construction Coordinator (864) 633-7588 kevinparris@pickenshabitat.org