Headline: Former President Jimmy Carter: A Lifetime of Service with housing-help/apply” title=”Apply for a Habitat house – Habitat for Humanity“>Habitat for Humanity
Subhead: From building his first house in NYC to aiding hurricane and earthquake relief, Carter’s 35-year journey as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer
Article:
In the heart of Jakarta, echoes of a story resonate, one that traverses the Presidency and transcends the White House walls, carrying us to the lives of those less fortunate. This is the narrative of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who, upon leaving office, chose a path less trodden for an ex-President: that of a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to building homes for those in need.
Carter’s journey began in an unlikely setting – the bustling streets of New York City. A chance encounter with a group of volunteers revealed to him a purpose beyond politics. "Rosalynn (his wife) and I came over and helped them," Carter recounted in 1984. This marked the first time Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, had participated as volunteers.
Little did he know that this initial foray into volunteerism would blossom into a lifelong commitment, transforming his post-presidential life forever. "When we left the White House, we could have done anything. But we chose to be volunteers and workers with Habitat," he confessed, reflecting on the profound impact this decision had on his life.
Each year, the Carters would participate in Habitat’s housing construction events. Their actions, simple yet powerful, would leave a profound impact on communities worldwide. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, they joined other volunteers to rebuild homes along the Mississippi and Louisiana coasts, as well as parts of Texas. In Haiti, they traveled twice, in 2011 and 2012, to help build 100 homes for families affected by the devastating earthquake.
In 2019, at the age of 94, Carter was back at it, appearing in Nashville, Tennessee, despite a recent fall and subsequent surgery. Sporting a black eye and stitches on his head, Carter shrugged off his injuries, stating, "I have one top priority, and that’s coming to Nashville and building a house!"
Throughout his 35-year tenure as a volunteer, Carter and his wife have helped build, repair, and renovate 4,331 homes with Habitat for Humanity. Their commitment to the cause was such that they even involved their non-profit organization, The Carter Center, in these efforts.
Carter’s motivations were deeply rooted in his faith and belief in paying it forward. "One of the things Jesus taught us is: If you have a talent, try to use it to help others," he said.
On December 29, 2024, Carter passed away at the age of 100. His legacy lives on, not just in the halls of the White House, but in every home he helped build, every family he helped lift, and every life he touched as a volunteer. Rest in power, Jimmy Carter.
