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At Northwoods Habitat for Humanity, volunteers are the foundation of everything we build. While Habitat must purchase building materials, pay for permits, hire subcontractors for specialized work, and employ a skilled construction manager to oversee projects, it is our volunteers who put in the bulk of the hours that make affordable housing possible. On average, volunteers contribute 2,500 hours of service to each home we build. They are on site nearly every weekday from 9 a.m. until late afternoon, moving a project forward through every phase of construction. Some come nearly every day, while others join us when their schedules allow. The work is steady, hands-on, and requires commitment—but it’s also deeply rewarding.  Who Are Our Volunteers? Our construction volunteers range from 16 to over 80 years old. Many are retirees who now use their days to give back, while others balance volunteering with work or studies. Some have backgrounds in construction, but many have built their skills by working alongside Habitat over the years. We’ve had former teachers, administrators, and countless others who learned to frame walls, hang doors, and install siding simply by showing up and being willing to help. This past year, we were especially grateful for Henry, an intern from Bemidji State University, whose youthful strength and positive spirit were a huge help on site. Whether young or old, seasoned or brand new, our volunteers share a common trait: they are careful, meticulous, and committed to building homes that are strong, safe, and lasting.  Groups That Build Together In addition to individuals, we welcome groups who spend a half or full day serving together. These teams bring energy and momentum that can speed up projects significantly. So far this year, we’ve had teams from First National Bank Bemidji, Walmart, and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. Coming soon, we’ll be welcoming the Bemidji Noon Rotary Club, AirCorps Aviation, and Affinity Plus. Group volunteers not only accelerate the work—they also strengthen community connections and bring joy to our long-term volunteers who love meeting new people on the build site.  The Impact in Dollars and Beyond
The financial value of our volunteers’ work is incredible. By our conservative estimate, the hours put in by volunteers are worth at least $75,000 per home. But the true value goes far beyond dollars. Volunteers build relationships, create memories, and strengthen the very community they are helping to house. How You Can Help Volunteering on the construction site isn’t the only way to support Habitat. We also welcome people who provide meals for our hardworking crews. A hot dish, a sack lunch, or even a tray of sandwiches from a local restaurant makes a big difference to those spending long days on site. And of course, your prayers mean the world to us—prayers for safety, provision, and relationship building as we continue this important work. If you’ve ever thought about swinging a hammer, learning new skills, or simply lending a hand, we’d love to have you join us. 👉 Get started by filling out our volunteer application here: https://wkf.ms/3H3uQG2 📞 Call us at: 218-751-4649 🏠 Stop by our office at: 1357 Exchange Ave SE, Bemidji Together, we can keep building homes—and hope—for families in our community.
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 Have you ever driven past a Habitat for Humanity build site and wondered what it really takes to turn a bare lot into a home filled with love and laughter? At Northwoods Habitat for Humanity, building a house is more than hammering nails. It’s a carefully orchestrated process that blends professional expertise, community spirit, and the dedication of our partner families. Step 1: Planning & Preparation Before the first shovel of dirt is turned, our team works behind the scenes to secure permits, finalize the home’s design, and schedule subcontractors. Our Executive Director and Construction Manager coordinates the entire process from start to finish, ensuring every step meets code and quality standards. We also line up volunteers — both individuals and groups — who will contribute to the build. On average, it takes 2,500 volunteer hours and about 4–6 months to complete a Habitat home.  Step 2: Site Preparation & Foundation The building process begins with site preparation, usually handled by professional subcontractors. This includes grading the land, bringing utilities to the lot, and pouring the foundation. Once the foundation is in place, the home’s footprint is ready — and the real action begins.  Step 3: Framing the Walls Framing is often one of the most exciting volunteer days. Under the guidance of our Construction Manager, crews raise the walls, install floor joists, and create the skeleton of the home. Local lumber suppliers provide most of the framing materials, and the teamwork between volunteers and professionals keeps the project moving forward. Step 4: Roofing, Windows, and Doors To protect the structure from the elements, subcontractors install the roof. Volunteers work alongside them to add windows, doors, and house wrap, sealing the home for the next phase. Step 5: Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Specialized subcontractors handle the critical systems — electrical wiring, plumbing lines, and heating/air conditioning. These steps require certified professionals to ensure safety and meet inspection requirements. Throughout this stage, city officials visit the site for inspections before work can move forward.  Step 6: Insulation, Drywall, and Siding Once the systems are in place and approved, insulation is added to keep the home energy-efficient. Subcontractors typically handle insulation and drywall installation, but volunteers help with siding and other exterior work, giving the home its personality.  Step 7: Interior Finishes The inside of the home starts to take shape with painting, trim work, and flooring installation. Cabinets, purchased from local vendors, are installed by volunteers. This is often when partner families put in many of their “sweat equity” hours, working side by side with other volunteers.  Step 8: Final Touches & Inspections Every Habitat home undergoes final inspections to make sure it meets safety and quality standards. Volunteers might be found planting shrubs, installing light fixtures, or doing final clean-up. We also work with a local lawyer to handle the closing process — Habitat for Humanity serves as the general contractor, loan originator, and mortgage servicer for every home.   Step 9: The Home Dedication
The most rewarding part of the process is the home dedication. Partner families receive their keys and begin a new chapter, backed by an affordable mortgage and the support of their community. More Than a House Each build is the result of dozens of people working together — volunteers donating their time, subcontractors lending their expertise, local businesses supplying materials, and families investing sweat equity. When the final nail is hammered and the last inspection is signed off, we know we’ve built something much greater than walls and a roof. We’ve built stability, hope, and a brighter future. If you’d like to be part of the next Habitat home build — whether swinging a hammer, donating materials, or contributing financially — we’d love to have you join us. Together, we can build more than houses. We can build community. |
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