Southern Crescent Habitat Mourns The Death Of Jimmy Carter
“President Jimmy Carter’s lifelong dedication to Habitat for Humanity has transformed lives and communities around the world. His vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live continues to inspire us every day,” a statement from Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity read.
Jimmy Carter shakes hands with a homeowner in Plains as part of the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2000.
President Jimmy Carter presents Neal and Michele Hughley with the keys to their new Habitat house completed during the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2000.
A statement from Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity CEO Cynthia Jenkins.
JONESBORO — Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity joined the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and joins observances around the world to remember his life of service.
He and Rosalynn Carter served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers more the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization.
Jimmy Carter died Sunday, Dec. 29 at the age of 100 and his national funeral service is scheduled Thursday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. in Washington, D.C.
“President Carter’s impact extends far and wide, but his ties to Georgia, where our affiliate proudly serves, make his legacy even more special to us,” Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity CEO Cynthia E. Jenkins said. “From his deep roots in Plains, Georgia, where I had the honor of meeting him for the first time, to his enduring dedication to service and affordable housing through Habitat, President Carter exemplified the values of community and compassion. I count it a great honor to have not only met him but to carry on his passion for ensuring housing is attainable for everyone.”
After leaving the White House, the Carters sought out meaningful ways to continue their commitment to social justice and basic human rights.
They first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Americus, near their home of Plains, in March 1984.
Later that same year, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. That trip marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project (later renamed the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project).
“We are deeply saddened by President Carter’s passing and our prayers are with the rest of the Carter family,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “President and Mrs. Carter began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity near their home in southwest Georgia, soon bringing worldwide attention to the need for decent and affordable housing. We are grateful for the incredible impact the Carters have had on Habitat and on the families who have benefited from their shining example. The Carters put Habitat for Humanity on the map and their legacy will live on in every family we serve around the world.”
Each year from 1984 to 2019, the Carters volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States and around the world.
President Carter also served as a member of the organization’s board of directors from 1984 to 1987.
“I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need,” President Carter said in past statements. “What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired — and wept.”
Over the last three decades, the Carter Work Project has touched lives around the world by inspiring more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,447 Habitat homes.
Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 62 million people around the world.
In 2016, Habitat named President and Mrs. Carter as the inaugural Habitat Humanitarians for their extraordinary dedication to service in alignment with Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Habitat for Humanity is celebrating President Carter’s life of service with local observances.
To learn more or to share a tribute, visit habitat.org.
