10 QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. Who are the Behrend Builders?
Behrend Builders are skilled and unskilled volunteers who go into low-income communities in DC where we repair, renovate, and repaint individual homes, community centers, schools, shelters, parks, and other vital community spaces. 

It's always a great learning experience to volunteer with us: you will be taught proper use of power tools as well as basic carpentry and painting skills.

2. What type of projects do you do? When do projects take place?

OPEN BUILDS - invite members of the community to join us in helping to repair, renovate, and repaint low-income family homes, schools, shelters, community centers, parks, and other vital community spaces.
  
GROUP PROJECTS - volunteer groups contact us and we schedule a project especially for them, we work around their schedule and time frame and the type of project they want.

3. Do you provide training?
Yes we do! We have skilled volunteers assisting with our projects.  Volunteers will get proper safety training and instruction before the project begins. 

4. Is there a cost?
While volunteering is free of charge, we appreciate your donations as they help cover the high cost of supplies and enable us to do more.

5. Who are you helping/who are your clients?
Low-income, nearly homeless and the homeless population as well as the elderly, the disabled and single mothers and their children.

6. How can I get involved? /How can my group get involved?
The best way to sign up a group or an individual is to volunteer is to call the Behrend Builders Coordinator at 202-777-3245 or email behrendbuilders@washingtondcjcc.org. 

7. Can I bring a group?
Yes!  Behrend Builders welcomes groups of any size.  We can accommodate groups up to 200. Please contact Behrend Builders and we can schedule a project for your workplace, school group, sports team, youth organization, alternative spring break group, Bar/Bat Mitzvah group and more!

8. What kind of supplies do you need?
Behrend Builders provides all necessary supplies for both group builds and open builds. All we ask of our volunteers is to wear clothing they do not mind getting stained and to show up ready to work!

9. Do you take in-kind donations of tools, paint, Home Depot gift cards?
Yes.  Behrend Builders does take donations or tools, paint, and gift cards to hardware stores. 

10. How can I get in touch with you?
Sarah Kirshenbaum, Behrend Builders Coordinator: (202)777-3245. 
Randy Bacon, Behrend Builders Director: (202)777-3244.

THE HISTORY OF BEHREND BUILDERS

Behrend Builders is MCCCS's award-winning volunteer program that works to repair, renovate, and rebuild Washington, DC . We work throughout the city to resuscitate homeless shelters, public and charter schools, homes for low-income families and elderly residents, recreational and community centers, social service agencies, and vital community spaces and facilities. Our goals are to meet the critical needs of Washington 's low-income housing communities and to supplement the over-extended social service agencies and government programs of our city.

Founded 14 years ago by Ruth Small and Amy Goldstein, Behrend Builders is the longest-running program of its kind in the Washington , DC metropolitan area. We operate throughout the year, providing one-day or longer-term projects for volunteer groups of varying skill levels. Our volunteers come from local schools and universities, Washington DCJCC's outreach efforts, and local businesses and community organizations. We make every effort to have our volunteers work side-by-side with the recipients of their work, ensuring the creation of community and the building of bridges across the racial and socioeconomic divides that are so prevalent in DC.

No skills or previous experience are necessary, as training is given on-site and experienced Behrend Builders staff members and program managers oversee all projects. We welcome families and volunteers of all ages. If you have any questions, please contact us.