Local Volunteers

Building Today for a Better Tomorrow

The folks of Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, and Perry counties in Eastern Kentucky love the hills and hollers (hollows, for those not native to the mountains) of home. We know, too, that the people in our community care deeply about their friends and neighbors. That’s why we invite our local people to serve with us to help other mountain people in need.

Ready to sign up? We welcome individuals, small groups, and large groups (capped at 30 members). You must be 18 years old & up to volunteer. However, local high school groups that have volunteered with us in the past and performed well can sign up with younger members. Members under the age of 18 must have an adult or guardian supervising them at all times. Local volunteers do not pay a fee in order to serve in our program.

If you have questions, call 606-436-0497 and ask for Jane Rose, our Volunteer Coordinator.

If you have a desire to help others, serve your community, or give back in a meaningful, impactful way, come join us during one of our volunteer events, as an individual looking to get in some community service/volunteering hours, as a group offering up your time on a project, or take on our Ultimate House Raising Challenge!

Volunteering with HDA gives you an opportunity to help flood survivors and low-income folks in your community get a new home they can afford or home repairs that improve their quality of life. Whether it’s for a single day or for several days, we’d love to have you roll up your sleeves and work alongside our carpenters to help your neighbors in need.

We welcome local individuals and groups to serve with us. Keep in mind that you do not need to have any construction experience to volunteer! HDA carpenters will be onsite to guide and help you.

In 2025, we need:

Small Skilled Groups – If you have some expertise in the carpentry/construction field, please come out and give us a hand!
Larger Groups (capped at 30 members) – Whether you’re a high school group we’ve worked with before or a new or returning group from a local church, business, club, college, etc., we’d love to have you come serve with us! Large groups are split into teams of 5-7 and sent to different worksites. We do this so that everyone has a meaningful job to do at each site.
Ultimate House Raising Challenge – Normally, this challenge is accepted by Regional Volunteers, but it is available to Local Volunteers, too! Get more information on this special opportunity here.
Volunteer & Fundraising Events – Whenever possible, HDA holds special events in which we invite our local community members to help us repair homes or frame a new house. We always publicize these events on social media, and if we schedule an event, you can find it here.

Click Here to Access Volunteer FAQs

Additional Forms Needed

Volunteer Swag All volunteers receive a free souvenir T-shirt!

What Can Local Volunteers Do?

Our carpenters work in all weathers, in many different locations throughout the counties we serve, and on projects of varying scales. Local volunteers become members of our crew and serve where they are most needed. Large groups that are split up into teams may be on projects miles apart, but we try to keep teams as close to each other as possible. You will be assigned to work with a crew doing home repair/rehab, new home framing, or new home finishing. Occasionally, we may need volunteers to help out with rental repair or possibly with the construction of a new rental.

Repair Project Examples

Replacing Porches and Building Wheelchair Ramps
Installing New Flooring & Siding
Installing New Windows & Doors
Repairing Steps & Handrails
Interior & Exterior Painting
Minor Roof Repair

New Home Project Examples

You will need to provide your own transportation (cars, trucks, or vans are recommended; please, no busses) and snacks. We provide water to all of our worksites. When possible, a meal could be provided (for example, a breakfast or lunch during an event). Those participating in the Ultimate House Raising Challenge will also have a limited amount of extra drinks and snacks delivered each day, as well as coolers of ice and one tent. It is up to each group to provide their own chairs/seating, tables, and tents (if you think you’ll need more than the one provided). Lunch is always on your own. If you have special needs or requests, please let our Volunteer Coordinator know!

After signing up to serve, local volunteers should contact us to let us know the date (or dates) and times that work best for you. Keep in mind that dates are claimed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Our Volunteer Coordinator will work closely with you to determine the best time for you to serve that meets your goals, our needs, and the needs of our clients. You will also need to abide by our requirements for group sizes and any other requirements made by our staff. We will do everything we can to accommodate you and facilitate a rewarding experience for you or your group!

You’ve probably heard people say that the best gift you can give is your time, and we believe that’s true. If you have a willing heart and can give a few hours, a day, or longer to build a local family an affordable home or make home repairs that help make someone’s home a better place to live, that’s time well-spent.

With HDA, You Can:

Work alongside our carpenters to build a new home for a low-income or flood-surviving family in need
Serve with an HDA crew making home repairs at little to no cost for a local low-income homeowner or flood-affected household in need
Sign up for the Ultimate House Raising Challenge or join us for a special volunteer event
Occasionally, low-income homebuyers are unable (due to a disability or lack of extended family to provide extra helping hands) to meet the self-help requirement of our Homeownership Program - you can volunteer your time as sweat equity hours to help the family or individual fulfill this mandatory requirement!
When possible, meet the folks you're helping
If you're not up for building or repairing, you can provide a meal for the crew (our staff and volunteers) or help transport needed materials to work sites. Let us know what you're interested in doing, and we'll check to see if we can accommodate you!

Have Questions? Need Help Signing Up?

Our Office Location

Please fill out this contact form and let us know what kind of help you need. A member of our staff will contact you ASAP.

Flood Survivor Assistance Request

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Assistance Request

Are you a survivor of the July 2022 East Kentucky flood or the February 2025 flood? If your home was damaged and you are in need of repairs, please contact us. If you lost your home to the flood and/or are hoping to rebuild, please get in touch. We may be able to help you!

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Which county in our service area do you currently live in, or which county are you most interested in living?*

Please note that HDA only serves these counties in East Kentucky. You must already live in one of these counties or be willing to live in one of them.

Breathitt County

Knott County

Leslie County

Perry County

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