Regional volunteers play a critical role in helping the Housing Development Alliance build and repair homes in our Eastern Kentucky community. Whether you’re traveling as part of a group or volunteering as an individual, your time and effort directly support families in need – and help us build what lasts.
Regional volunteers are individuals and groups who travel to Eastern Kentucky to serve with HDA for a set period of time – typically several days to a week.
We welcome:
Church and faith-based groups
College mission trips and alternative break groups
Corporate and organizational teams
Older adult and senior groups
Individuals who want to volunteer independently
All regional volunteer opportunities are part of Hands to Homes, our focused effort to build and repair safe, durable homes as efficiently as possible.
Regional volunteers are matched to real worksites based on:
Current construction and repair needs
Group size and availability
Skill levels and physical ability
Length of stay
Depending on timing, volunteers may assist with:
New home framing and finishing
Critical home repairs and rehab work
Accessibility improvements such as ramps and handrails
Interior and exterior finishing tasks
Because our work depends on active projects, assignments vary – but all volunteer work contributes directly to homes moving forward.
You do not need prior construction or carpentry experience to volunteer with HDA.
All regional volunteers:
Work alongside HDA’s professional carpenters
Receive on-site instruction and supervision
Serve as part of an active crew
The work is hands-on and physical – but accessible to people with a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels.
To ensure safety on active construction sites, regional volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
Groups that have volunteered with HDA in past years or groups interested in the Ultimate House Raising Challenge and bringing younger participants should contact our Volunteer & Community Coordinator to discuss eligibility.
The Ultimate House Raising Challenge (UHRC) is HDA’s most intensive and impactful regional volunteer opportunity – and a key part of our Hands to Homes rollout.
Designed for larger groups, the challenge focuses on rapidly advancing the construction of one or more new homes through coordinated, team-based work. Groups that take on the UHRC make it possible for HDA to serve more families, faster.
Important to know:
Participation in the UHRC is optional, not required
Groups who take on the UHRC do not pay a volunteer fee; however, groups are required to provide a sponsorship
Not all groups are financially or logistically positioned to do this – and that’s okay
If your group is interested, we’ll help you determine whether the challenge is a good fit.
To help cover construction costs and support our housing programs, regional volunteers are asked to pay a $250 per person volunteer fee, which typically covers 4–5 days of work.
Additional details:
Fees may be adjusted for shorter or longer stays
The volunteer fee is waived for groups participating in the Ultimate House Raising Challenge (participants provide a sponsorship)
Our team is happy to discuss options with you based on your group’s circumstances.
HDA works closely with local church partners to help provide lodging for regional volunteer groups during their time in Eastern Kentucky.
Currently, our lodging partners include:
First Presbyterian Church of Hazard
First Baptist Church of Hazard
Both churches are located in downtown Hazard and have experience hosting volunteer groups serving with HDA.
Groups are welcome to utilize these lodging options, or – if they prefer – make their own lodging arrangements. Our Volunteer & Community Coordinator will discuss lodging options with your group during the planning process and help determine what will work best based on availability, group size, and timing.
Regional volunteer groups are responsible for their own transportation to and from Eastern Kentucky, as well as daily travel to worksites. We strongly recommend using vans instead of a bus. If needed, our Volunteer & Community Coordinator can provide information on renting vehicles locally.
Large groups may be:
Split into smaller teams
Scheduled to work in shifts
Assigned to multiple worksites
These decisions are based on safety, project needs, and the goal of making the best possible use of your time and effort.
Volunteer opportunities are scheduled throughout the year and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Volunteer Calendar allows regional groups and individuals to:
View available dates
Identify potential windows for service
Begin planning their trip to Eastern Kentucky
Once you submit a Volunteer & Group Interest Form:
Our Volunteer & Community Coordinator will follow up
We’ll discuss timing, group size, project needs, and next steps
Regional groups will be asked to complete our online group registration form & will receive a Volunteer Planning Guide to help prepare
We’ll walk you through the details – so you can focus on serving.
Regional volunteer opportunities are available year-round, with the greatest demand typically in the spring, summer, and fall.
Volunteer dates are scheduled based on:
Project availability
Carpenter capacity
Group size and composition
We encourage groups to check the Volunteer Calendar for available dates and submit a Volunteer Inquiry Form to begin the scheduling process.
The Ultimate House Raising Challenge (UHRC) is an intensive, team-based volunteer experience in which a group works alongside HDA carpenters to frame one or more homes in 4–5 days for a flood survivor or low-income family.
Groups that take on the UHRC:
Make a significant, lasting impact
Help HDA build faster during peak demand
Have their volunteer fee waived but provide a sponsorship
UHRC participation is encouraged – but not required. Regional volunteers who are unable to take on the challenge will still find meaningful opportunities to serve through other construction and repair projects.
Regional volunteer groups typically:
Arrive Sunday afternoon
Work Monday–Thursday (groups in the Ultimate House Raising Challenge have the option to work on Friday)
Depart Friday morning (or Friday afternoon/evening if participating in the Ultimate House Raising Challenge)
Sunday includes orientation, expectations, and preparation. For volunteers serving in our traditional program, the off-day Friday allows HDA carpenters to reset for the next phase of construction and gives volunteers time to travel home or explore the region.
Alternative arrival or departure schedules may be accommodated when possible.
Large groups are divided into smaller crews of 5–7 volunteers, each assigned to a worksite with an HDA lead carpenter.
This approach:
Ensures everyone has meaningful work
Improves safety and learning
Allows projects to move forward efficiently
While some sites may be near each other, groups should expect to be split across locations.
HDA partners with local churches to help provide lodging for regional volunteer groups.
Current lodging partners include:
First Presbyterian Church of Hazard
First Baptist Church of Hazard
Both churches are located in downtown Hazard and are experienced in hosting volunteer groups. Groups sleep in shared rooms and have access to kitchen facilities.
Groups may also choose to arrange their own lodging. Lodging options are discussed during the planning process with our Volunteer & Community Coordinator to determine the best fit based on availability and group needs.
First Baptist Church of Hazard has onsite showers.
Volunteers staying at First Presbyterian Church of Hazard shower at the Hazard Pavilion, located a short walk away. (The church is in the process of updating its facility with showers. We’ll update when available.)
Additional details are provided in the Volunteer Planning Guide.
Volunteers are responsible for preparing or purchasing most meals.
HDA provides:
Water at all worksites
A farewell meal at the end of the week
Groups taking on the Ultimate House Raising Challenge receive limited additional snacks, drinks, and logistical support during the week. We also provide a celebration meal Thursday evening.
Kitchen access is available at church lodging sites, and information about local restaurants and grocery stores is provided.
For regional volunteers:
$50 non-refundable deposit per person (due by the deadline provided to you by our Volunteer & Community Coordinator)
$200 balance per person, due upon arrival
Total fee: $250 per volunteer
The volunteer fee helps cover:
Construction materials
HDA carpenter time
Program coordination
Partial lodging support for church partners
Groups participating in the Ultimate House Raising Challenge have the fee waived.
Deposits are non-refundable unless HDA must cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances. In that case, deposits will be refunded.
If a group cancels, the deposit helps offset scheduling and preparation costs already incurred.
Yes. Regional volunteer groups must provide their own transportation.
Requirements include:
One vehicle per crew of up to six (or possibly seven) volunteers
Vans or standard vehicles recommended
Buses are not permitted due to narrow, winding mountain roads
Local rental information can be provided if needed.
Eastern Kentucky is rural and mountainous. Worksites may be:
On steep or narrow roads
In remote hollows
On uneven terrain
Weather can change quickly, and some roads may be unpaved or impacted by flooding. Volunteers should be prepared for physically demanding, outdoor work conditions. (Note that not all projects are outside; our crews also do interior work in which you may participate.)
When appropriate and possible, volunteers may meet the homeowners or families they are serving.
These moments are meaningful but not guaranteed, as privacy, safety, and scheduling needs always come first.
To move forward:
Review the Volunteer Calendar
Submit a Volunteer & Group Interest Form
Watch for follow-up from our Volunteer & Community Coordinator
We’ll walk with you through the rest of the process.
Jane Rose "Janie" Britton, Volunteer & Community Coordinator
Office: 606-436-0497
