CHATTANOOGA — Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has announced the opening of several new volunteer positions.

Most people think of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity as swinging a hammer or raising a wall. While Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has a continual need for those volunteers, these new positions offer professionals the ability to contribute their knowledge and expertise. Some of the new positions include events planning, partner family advocate and youth united coordinator.

“These positions will have a tremendous impact on our organization,” said director of volunteers Dawn Hjelseth. “These types of positions not only allow us to provide a higher level of service to our partner families, but also allow us to increase our capacity to serve more families in the community.”

The time commitment for most of these positions is minimal as well, with most requiring less than one hour per week.

Volunteers must schedule hours in advance and Habitat respectfully asks volunteers to stay their entire shift. A signed waiver must be received by staff before you may volunteer. Those interested must be 16 years or older to volunteer.

• Construction site: Learn new skills, get outside, meet new people and come build with Habitat. No experience is necessary and all tools are provided.
• Crew leader: Help Habitat for Humanity lead small groups of volunteers.
• Construction assistant: Assist construction crews with preparing sites.
• ReStore: Make a difference by volunteering as a cashier assistant, donation processor or donation recruiter, or on the pricing team.
• Office: Data entry is an essential. It allows Habitat to stay in contact with donors and customers to inform them about upcoming events and sales. Habitat provides training for its database, but requests a person with computer literacy.
• Marketing and event: Communications intern, community event team member, event planner and marketing adviser.
• Family Services: Family advocate, family selection committee member and partner family education coordinator.
• Volunteer Team: Young Professionals coordinator, Youth United coordinator and hospitality coordinator.
• ReStore Events and Programs: Annual donation drive coordinator, contractor donation recruiter, design workshop series coordinator and e-Bay auctioneer.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that has been building simple, decent and affordable homes in Chattanooga since 1986. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga partners with volunteers and low-income families to build affordable housing. The houses are sold to these families at no profit and with no interest.

For more information on any of these positions, contact Dawn Hjelseth at dstoike@habichatt.org or (423) 756-0507. Also, visit Habitat's local website to learn more.

ReStore extends hours, seeks donations, offers reduced items

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore has extended its hours, now open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ReStore is a store that accepts donations of new and gently used items from individuals and businesses in the community, and sells those items to the public at a reduced cost, usually 50-70 percent of the original retail value. All proceeds go toward building Habitat homes with the local Habitat affiliate.

The Habitat ReStore was opened in 2004 as a fundraising division of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, supporting the mission to develop a community with people in need by building homes, so that people can live and grow into all that God intended.