+ How old do I need to be to volunteer?

We welcome volunteers 14 years and older to volunteer for our Open Volunteer Day program. All volunteers under 18 must have a signed waiver from their parent or guardian. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to volunteer for our Safe At Home and Project Leader volunteer roles.

+ I don't have any building experience or skills. Can I still volunteer on projects?

Yes, no experience is necessary to volunteer with us—just bring you enthusiasm! Our Open Volunteer Day Program offers monthly volunteer projects that are well suited to volunteers with no building experience or skills. These projects are great opportunities to make an impact in your local community, as well as learn and improve new skills from more experienced volunteers.

+ How can I become a regular volunteer?

To become a regular volunteer, please read through our volunteer role descriptions and fill out our Volunteer Interest Form, indicating the volunteer role that you are interested in. An RTS staff member will follow-up with you shortly to guide you through the onboarding process. If you are interested in becoming an Open Volunteer Day Volunteer, we will add you to our volunteer list and send you monthly updates on projects that you can sign up for to begin volunteering. If you are interested in becoming a Safe At Home Volunteer, we will ask that you attend a brief orientation at our office to go through the information necessary to coordinate and plan repair projects through the Safe At Home program. Once you complete the orientation and a few volunteer forms, we will help you get started on home repair projects.

+ What is the time commitment to volunteer?

We understand that our volunteers have varying levels of time that they are able to contribute to volunteer work, so RTS does not have specific time commitment requirements for our regular volunteers. That being said, our regular Safe At Home Volunteers typically complete three to four projects a year.

+ What does a typical Open Volunteer Day look like?

While projects will differ, an Open Volunteer Day will begin with the kick off, where volunteers will gather with the project Leader and staff to go over the repairs that will be done as well as safety procedures. Then, volunteers will receive directions from the Project Leader and begin working together to finish the various repairs needed throughout the home. The day typically lasts from morning to late afternoon, with a lunch break at noon and a clean-up at the end.

+ What should I bring to an Open Volunteer Day project?

While volunteers are free to bring whatever they may need throughout the project day, it is not necessary to bring anything, as RTS will provide the tools, materials and safety equipment needed to complete the repairs. We will also provide lunch, as well as coffee and breakfast snacks in the morning.

+ What should I wear to an Open Volunteer Day project?

Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable work clothing that can get dirty throughout the day. Depending on the scope of the project, volunteers may also want to check the weather the day before and wear clothes accordingly. In addition, volunteers should wear close-toed shoes to follow safety precautions.

+ Can I bring friends and family to volunteer with me?

Yes, we welcome volunteers to bring their family and friends along to volunteer on projects together. We do ask that you let us know beforehand how many people you plan on bringing along, as well as that each person fill out a volunteer waiver before volunteering.