Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. A champion for affordable and decent housing, he and Rosalynn Carter donated their time and leadership each year to build and improve homes with Habitat around the world. President Carter died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family.
“Our hearts are heavy as we remember the incredible life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter,” said Leah Miller, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento. “His hands-on dedication to building homes and hope has been an inspiration to all of us. He taught us that service is love in action, and his impact will live on in every nail we drive and every home we build.”
President Carter’s work with Habitat has made a profound impact on countless individuals and families. By providing affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity helps to break the cycle of poverty and create a foundation for a better life. President Carter understood this better than anyone, and he dedicated himself to this cause with all his heart and soul. His support for Habitat helped to make Habitat what it is today – an internationally recognized force for change.
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, Georgia, 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 & Rosalynn Carter Work Project). Each year since then, the Carters have 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 1984-1987.
“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 has said. “What’s opened 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.”
Inspiring millions over the last three decades, President and Mrs. Carter have worked alongside more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,447 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 will be celebrating President Carter’s life of service with local observances. To learn more or to share a tribute, visit habitat.org.
Photos and videos of President and Mrs. Carter volunteering with Habitat for Humanity are available at habitat.ngo/cwpphotos.
