Volunteer in USVI after Hurricane Irma/Maria (Accommodation/Meals Provided, No Program Fee)

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All Hands and Hearts - Smart Response effectively and efficiently addresses the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. By listening to local people, and deploying our unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, we rebuild safe, resilient schools, homes and other community infrastructure.

Through community and volunteer engagement, we aim to help families recover faster after natural disasters using our "smart response" strategy. By rebuilding in a disaster resilient way, we prepare them for future events and, through the process, strengthen both volunteers and communities.

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On September 6, Hurricane Irma slammed into the US Virgin Islands as a category 5 hurricane.The islands suffered severe wind and flood damage, reducing many areas to rubble. In light of the almost absolute devastation in the USVI, All Hands Volunteers sent an Immediate Response Team to St. Thomas. Less than a month later, the team was evacuated due to Hurricane Maria, which struck the islands on September 20 as a Category 4 storm. Today, we are back on the ground to finish what we started and our operations have expanded to both St. Thomas and St. John.

We don't require any construction experience to join us, and each site is supervised by a professional staff member or trained team leader that will teach you everything you need to know to have a fun, safe and positive experience. Volunteering with All Hands and Hearts is completely free, and we provide accommodation and meals to volunteers. If you can volunteer for two weeks or more, we can also provide a free round-trip flight voucher from San Juan (Puerto Rico) to St. Thomas, USVI. Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own travel to San Juan.

Come with a positive attitude and a willingness to help, and we'll provide the rest!

We accept spontaneous volunteers from any background, providing on-the-job training free of charge.


FAQ's:

Does it cost money? Volunteering with All Hands and Hearts is completely free of charge, and we provide accommodation and meals. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for the cost of your travel both to and from the program, meals on your day(s) off, and any costs associated with taking a 3 day break each month away from program.

What are the accommodations like? Accommodations vary by program and the communities we are working within. They are often community centre spaces, churches, or schools, and it’s communal living at its finest! Accommodation is always mixed gender housing, and there are always opportunities for functioning bathrooms and showers. Due to the communal living environment and limited residential space, we advise packing light. As soon as you apply and are confirmed, you will be emailed live information packets full of the most updated information of what to pack, what to expect, and how to get to the base you’ll be volunteering at.

What can I expect on a typical workday? Each day depends on the scope of work that the home or school you are placed on requires. Typical tasks include mucking and gutting, mold sanitation, insulation and drywall insulation, carpentry, and painting. Don’t worry if you have never done this before - we will teach you everything you need to know when you get here! Each work day is from about 8 AM-4 PM, however these hours change depending on the needs of the program you volunteer for. After you return home from the worksite, you will have a chance to unwind, relax, and reflect on your day as a part of our nightly team meetings. Check out our day in the life video to get a feel for volunteering life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eezh3h3W0Aw

How do I sign up? Visit our current list of active programs here: https://www.allhandsandhearts.org/volunteer/
Once you find a program that suits your fancy, follow the 'next’ link to proceed with your application!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Volunteer Coordination Team at: VOLUNTEER@ALLHANDSANDHEARTS.ORG