Volunteer and Learn Program Helps Homeowners Succeed

At Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, our commitment to homeowners doesn’t end at closing. We want every Habitat homeowner to feel confident, capable, and connected for years to come. That’s why we created Volunteer and Learn—a program that blends skill-building, financial education, and community connection into one ongoing experience.

Volunteer and Learn placed our original Sweat Equity program because we believe that homeownership should be accessible to families based on financial readiness and commitment, not on whether life circumstances allow for hundreds of volunteer hours.

Three years later, Volunteer and Learn has delivered on that promise. Single parents working multiple jobs, healthcare workers with irregular shifts, and families managing caregiving responsibilities can now more easily pursue homeownership.

Volunteer and Learn offers workshops, on-site skill-building days, and special events that help you—the homeowner—strengthen your home maintenance skills, deepen your understanding of personal finance, and connect with fellow Habitat homeowners. It keeps the spirit of community connection that Sweat Equity created between homeowners, volunteers, and construction staff, but now participation happens on each family's terms.

Whether wielding a paintbrush, fine-tuning your household budget, or learning how to maintain a door, Volunteer and Learn is about giving you the knowledge and support to thrive in your home.

Station Learning Events

These are the newest offerings from Volunteer and Learn, proving homeowners the chance to learn various repair skills in a couple hours rather than a full day on a build site. The most recent Station Learning event was held at Twin Cities Habitat's warehouse and featured six stations homeowners could visit to learn more: Tool Safety, Door Maintenance, Repairing Drywall, Landscaping, Fencing, and Energy Efficiency. Habitat site staff and community partners led participants in hands-on learning and answered their most pressing questions. 

Skill Builder Days

Skill Builder Days bring homeowners to a Habitat build site, where site supervisors provide live demonstrations of different homebuilding and maintenance skills. You’ll not only watch professionals at work but also get hands-on practice using tools and techniques you can take home.

Past Skill Builder Days have focused on insulation, drywall, trim, flooring, and painting. Homeowners have also brought their own project questions and received expert advice tailored to their homes. This hands-on learning helps homeowners tackle repairs and improvements with confidence and can help you save money down the road.

Learn Together Workshops

Learn Together workshops bring homeowners into a classroom setting, either at Habitat or with community partners, to focus on specific topics. Many are designed for complete beginners, with no prior experience required. Over the past year, Volunteer and Learn has hosted a wide range of workshops, from the purely practical to the deeply personal:

Smooth Entry: The Art of Door Maintenance

A squeaky hinge, a sticky lock, or a drafty seal can all be fixed with the right know-how. This workshop covered essential door maintenance and weatherproofing tips to keep doors functioning smoothly for years to come.

Capital Improvement Credits for Habitat-Developed Homes

This online session explained how certain home improvements can affect the value of Habitat-developed homes at resale, and how to apply for a Capital Improvement Credit. It’s crucial information for homeowners making smart, cost-effective upgrade decisions.

Blooms & Beyond

At this annual spring workshop hosted at a ReStore home improvement outlet, homeowners learned gardening techniques for vibrant yards and abundant vegetable beds. Attendees even went home with their own hydrangea to plant!

Mending Fences BBQ

This fun event combined a community BBQ with two workshops: one on building and maintaining fences (and understanding the deeper meaning of boundaries) and another on the psychology of money. Both sessions helped homeowners think about physical and financial boundaries in ways that strengthen their homes and communities.

Finding Your Fit for Homeowners Insurance

Led by Habitat volunteer and insurance expert Debbie Campbell, this workshop demystified coverage options for homeowners insurance, explained key terms, and offered guidance for homeowners living in HOAs.

Efficient Living: Making Every Dollar Stretch

As summer temperatures rose, this workshop offered energy efficiency tips for HVAC systems, appliances, and electronics—alongside a financial management session with budgeting strategies to keep monthly costs in check.

Drywall Do-It-Yourself

In this hands-on class, instructor Gwen Marshall taught homeowners how to patch holes, fix cracks, and achieve smooth finishes.

Power Up: Electrical Basics for Homeowners

Instructor Dave Engh covered safety-first electrical skills, empowering homeowners to handle basic electrical tasks with confidence.

Why It Matters

For many families, buying a home is the largest investment they’ll ever make. But maintaining that investment while balancing other financial responsibilities takes ongoing knowledge and support. Volunteer and Learn gives you practical tools to care for your property, make informed financial decisions, and connect with others who understand the joys and challenges of homeownership.

If you’re a current Habitat homeowner, visit the Homeowner Resource Hub for Volunteer and Learn details, and watch for the monthly Homeowner Newsletter for featured events. If you’re a future homebuyer, know that when you work with Twin Cities Habitat, our relationship doesn’t stop at closing—we’ll be here to help you thrive for the long haul!