The continued health and safety of our staff and volunteers is of the utmost concern to us.
We are thoughtfully considering our response to this fluid situation. Here you’ll find the most up-to-date information regarding San Diego Habitat operations and procedures in response to COVID-19.
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ReStore
Shopping
All four ReStore locations are currently open for business, with limited hours of operation. ReStores are open for shoppers Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm to allow for thorough cleaning of shared surfaces before opening and after closing.
We are following local, state, and CDC public health protocols to protect the health and safety of our customers and our staff. As such, please plan to follow these guidelines when shopping ReStore:
- If you have a fever or are ill, please plan to visit us at a later date when you are well.
- Wear a protective mask, covering your nose and mouth, at all times.
- Maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other customers/staff.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
And remember, you can still shop ReStore online and take advantage of same-day pickup, delivery of large items (purchases of $250 or more), and inter-store item transfer.
Donating
PICKUPS
If you’d like your items picked up, please request an appointment online or call our donation hotline at (619) 241-2221. Please note that since we have recently begun accepting residential donations again, we have received an overwhelming outpouring of community support. As such, our trucks are often scheduled several weeks out. Thank you for your patience!
If you need pickup of a commercial donation, please start here.
DROPOFFS
If you’d prefer to drop off your donations, you can do so during business donation hours — Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am-3:00pm. Please note that acceptance of items is at staff’s discretion and may depend on current space, inventory, and what we are able to resell. We recommend getting in touch to make sure we are able to accept your items before bringing them in. Peruse our donation guidelines and call (619) 241-2221 or email dispatch@sandiegohabitat.org to get guidance from staff.
Volunteering
As of June 1, we are welcoming back individuals and groups to the construction sites and ReStores. Please sign up for an orientation here.
Volunteers
Regular volunteers are now permitted on the job sites, and as of June 1, we are welcoming back individuals and groups to the construction sites and ReStores. Please sign up for an orientation here.
Construction
STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK
If you are feeling unwell, show symptoms associated with COVID-19, including but not limited to: cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, or fever, or if you have been exposed to someone with symptoms in the last 14 days, please stay home. Staying home is the best way to protect your fellow volunteers, Habitat staff, and greater community. If you have decided to postpone your day, please let us know as soon as possible.
FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED
You will be required to bring and wear a face covering during your volunteer day. (We do have a limited supply of face coverings in case you do not have one or need an additional mask during the day.)
- Your face mask/covering must have straps and stay in place.
- Please bring a mask/covering you will not need to reposition, readjust, or fiddle with throughout the day.
- For more information about appropriate face masks/coverings, please visit the CDC website.
- Bringing multiple masks or coverings is recommended in case your mask becomes dirty or sweaty during the course of the day.
- Volunteers must wear eye-protection at all times.
SITE ENTRY
Before entering the site, Habitat staff will:
- Clean the site prior to your arrival.
- Ensure you are wearing your face mask/covering.
- Conduct a symptoms screening.
- Check you in through our volunteer website.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
Staff and volunteers will be asked to maintain at least six feet between themselves whenever possible. Only one staff member or volunteer will enter the tool container at a time.
HANDWASHING AND HYGIENE
Handwashing stations and hand sanitizer will be available for frequent cleaning throughout the day. If you have hand sanitizer, please bring it for yourself. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Cover coughs and sneezes and follow appropriate respiratory etiquette
TOOL SHARING
We are limiting tool sharing and increasing the cleaning of tools. Bring your own work gloves if you can. Disposable gloves will be available. Bring your own hand tools if you can. If you bring a tool to use on-site, you will be asked to clean it before use. We will have bottles of cleaning solution available.
LUNCH AND WATER
Please bring a bag lunch with you on your workday, if lunch is applicable to your shift. To increase social distancing, lunches and breaks may be staggered throughout the day. Please bring multiple water bottles with enough water for your volunteer day. For safety, we have discontinued the use of communal water sources. We will have single-use water bottles available.
CARPOOLING
While carpooling is normally encouraged, we strongly encourage volunteers who are not part of the same household to drive separately.
WHAT TO BRING
- Face covering
- Bagged lunch
- Plenty of water
- Hand sanitizer (if you have it)
- Work gloves (if you have it)
AS ALWAYS, REMEMBER TO WEAR
- Closed-toed shoes
- Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or painted
- Layers for fluctuating weather
- Optional: hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses for outdoors
Questions? Contact the Volunteer Services Team at volunteerservices@sandiegohabitat.org.
Events
Most events have gone virtual and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. All home dedications, groundbreakings, orientations, stewardship events, and fundraisers have been canceled or reimagined. Find details on specific events here, or visit our YouTube Channel to view some of the events that went virtual in 2020.
We are thrilled to announce the return of Women Build in 2021. We will follow strict health and safety protocols and will offer a variety of ways to participate, depending on your level of comfort.
Visiting the Administrative Offices
Our administrative offices remain closed to the public. Select staff have very limited access to the building, following strict safety protocols.
- If you are a homeowner who usually pays your mortgage in person, please contact Jenny Marovich to make arrangements.
- If you are a vendor needing to deliver something, please make arrangements with your Habitat contact.
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