Habitat for Humanity

Mission Work in our Community

Responding to the needs

right in our own back yard


Dates: Wednesday May 8 – Friday May 10 (3 Days) 7 volunteers needed
               Thursday May 16 – Saturday May 18 (3 Days) 7 volunteers needed

Time: 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM

Planned Site: New Restore Building at 155 Independence Court, Lancaster Pa.

Contact: Julia Witmer Gallagher; juliawgallagher@gmail.com | 609 -937-2494

Planned Needs from Saint James Team Leader, Julia Witmer Gallagher:

By May, the St. Joseph Street home will be completed!! This is good news that St. Joseph Street is progressing so fast, so we can get Kenya (see photo below) in her new home faster than we thought!  We have worked together to firm up details on another great opportunity for the Saint James Team: helping to build and fit out the New Restore at 155 Independence Court in Lancaster, which will further Habitat’s mission. In addition to the increased retail space, the New Restore will have room for Habitat offices, a warehouse and distribution center. The old restore building is simply not large enough to accommodate the growing demand.

We work with volunteers of ALL SKILL LEVELS (No prior construction experience necessary all the way up to those who work in the trade). Training provided, including safety. We look to fill 7 slots daily. Below is the signup link:

Click here to download the signup instructions.

Click here to register your spot on the Habitat for Humanity website.

Please note: When you sign up, be sure to scroll down and select “Restore” in the dropdown, (not “Construction”). In the signup module, please disregard any instructions about volunteering at the retail Restore. You will be helping to build and fit out the New Restore, and will not be involved in the retail operation.

View the photos from the team’s work in May! Click a photo to access the gallery.


Archived mission trips

Click the titles below to read more.

Click here to registerContribute to the 2020 mission trip to Puerto Rico

New homebuyer Shamaica and her three children have been matched to 723 South Lime Street in Lancaster. When she applied to Habitat’s First Time Homebuyer program, Shamaica explained that her family was living in an apartment with a mold problem that was making her daughters sick. She already has over 110 hours of sweat equity invested in her “new” home and is looking forward to working alongside our volunteers as renovation on the home gets underway.

For more information about the Saint James team, email Julia Witmer Gallagher.

If you have any trouble registering online, please contact the Saint James office at 717-397-4858.

Thank you to all who participated in the Give 20 at Iron Hill on December 2. 

Taste of Puerto Rico Fundraiser
Sunday January 19, 2020

On Sunday, January 19, we will gather for a festive celebration of Puerto Rican food and fellowship at the charming Old San Juan Restaurant & Rum Bar in downtown Lancaster! Proceeds from this event will help fund the next mission trip to Puerto Rico scheduled for February 16 – 22, 2020.

Last year’s event was so popular we’ve added an additional seating! We’ve got the whole place to ourselves and three seatings to choose from (1:00, 4:00 and 7:00 PM). There are only 180 seats available for the day and this event will be broadly promoted in multiple congregations and the community at large, so reserve your table now!

Feast on island delicacies such as pollo guisado (stewed chicken), pernil (roasted pork), rice and beans, vegetarian delight, plátanos maduros (fried sweet plantains) and beef empanadas, all served buffet-style so you can sample it all!

Fountain sodas, coffee and tea and your gratuity are included with your ticket. At the restaurant’s Rum Bar, you can purchase a variety of wine, beer and cocktails, including Old San Juan’s own Caribbean specialty drinks. Dessert (did someone say flan?) is also available for an additional price.

Old San Juan is located in the Hager Arcade adjacent to Central Market. There is plenty of street parking and fee lots right around the restaurant.

We are now receiving donations for our return mission trip in February of 2019

Funds collected will be used to pay for transportation while there, some building materials and other expenses during the course of the week.

Make a donation