No matter who’s in the White House, America remains in love with 39th President and 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter, 94, and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, 92. Their lifetime commitment to peace, humanitarianism, and democracy around the globe seems to know no end—and in October, the Carters will be heading to Tennessee for their latest endeavor: building 21 new homes with Habitat for Humanity.
The Carters began volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in 1984, and have never missed a year since. Even though the oldest living president in U.S. history broke his hip in May, 2019 will continue the streak.
“There have been many times when people have tried to count President Carter out, and they have never been right,” said Bryan Thomas, a spokesman for Habitat for Humanity International. “We are excited that they will both back.”
The Carters’ stated goal is not only to build homes, but also to bring awareness to the ever-critical need for affordable housing. This is especially relevant as Nashville struggles with rapid growth and a lack of affordable housing, especially for low-income residents.
"It's getting harder and harder to be poor" in Nashville, Democratic state senator Brenda Gilmore told the Tennesseean in early 2019.
Despite a popular misconception, Habitat houses are not given away. The buyers are people in need, who work alongside volunteers to help build the homes and earn “sweat equity”; upon completion, the new homeowners assume a low mortgage with no interest. Their monthly payments then go to help build the next homes for others in need.
Fellow Habitat Humanitarians and country music legends Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will once again be joining the Carters for the week, offering their celebrity status as well as hard work, in hopes of garnering even more attention to America’s housing crisis.
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In the past 35 years, the Carter Work Project and Habitat for Humanity have helped to build, renovate, and repair over 4,000 homes in 14 countries, alongside over 100,000 volunteers. It’s undeniable that the homeowners’ lives have been transformed.
“I can say by far that becoming a homeowner was my greatest accomplishment. It has given me a sense of security and knowing that I am able to provide a decent home for my family is the greatest feeling. Thank you Habitat for Humanity” – Habitat Homeowner
“I have just finished my 2nd semester in school since moving into my home. I look forward to more good things to come. What has Habitat for Humanity meant to me and my family? “The beginning of a stress free life! Thank you so much for this opportunity!” – Habitat Homeowner
“Partnering with Habitat for Humanity has meant that I can help send my children to college and get a better education than I got…my daughter is her second year at Winston Salem State and my son is in his first year at Sandhills Community College” – Habitat Homeowner
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The Carters’ lifelong work together—“waging peace, fighting disease, and building hope”—is remarkable. Together, and individually, they are beacons of light in this world.
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Click here to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity’s Nashville Project. You can read more about the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project here, and look below to see how you can contact President Carter and/or former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
President Jimmy Carter/Mrs. Rosalynn Carter
The Carter Center.
One Copenhill
453 Freedom Parkway Atlanta, GA 30307
email to: info@cartercenter.org
Read more on Jimmy Carter: