In honor of the Inauguration of Notre Dame’s 18th president, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the University will partner with Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County on an ambitious community service project: Inauguration Build 2024. Five homes, designed by Notre Dame architecture students, will be constructed on South Bend’s Near Northwest Side. The University is the official sponsor of one of the five homes.
From Monday, September 16, through Friday, September 20, nearly 1,000 University faculty and staff volunteers will help Habitat construct these five affordable homes for local families. This will be an employee-only event. The student chapter of Habitat for Humanity will take the lead on organizing student participation for the project.
Interest in volunteering is expected to be great. Faculty and staff registrations for Inauguration Build 2024 will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The volunteer registration form, below, will be open through Wednesday, August 21. The form asks each registrant to identify three potential volunteer time slots. Once the form closes, volunteer groups will be assembled based on availability, and confirmation emails will be sent with further details.
Fast facts
- Inauguration Build 2024 will start on Monday, September 16, with a “wall build” on campus—volunteers will construct walls for the home that will then be transported to the build site.
- On Tuesday, September 17, through Friday, September 20, all work will take place at the build site in South Bend.
- There will be two volunteer shifts each day: 7:30-
- 11:30 a.m. and noon-4:00 p.m. Participants will be assigned to work one shift to maximize the number of people volunteering.
- The University will provide a complimentary shuttle between the South Bend worksite and campus. Please note, parking is not available at the construction site.
Registration details
Here are some things you should know before you register for the Inauguration Build 2024:
- Volunteer spots are reserved for University of Notre Dame employees only.
- You will have the opportunity to select up to three potential shifts, but you will only be assigned to one.
- Before filling out the form, as appropriate, please obtain your supervisor or manager’s approval to work a shift.
- Group registrations will not be accepted.
- Once the registration closes and volunteer shifts are assigned, you will receive an email with your assigned shift and a link to officially register with Habitat for Humanity.
- If you are offered a volunteer spot, you will have one week to accept or decline the invitation. If you do not respond or you choose to decline the shift, someone else will be assigned.
If you have questions about the Inauguration Build 2024, please email Public Affairs Associate Kelly Demski at kdemski@nd.edu.