Kansas City, Missouri (December 30, 2024)-Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City joins 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 over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization.
“President Carter made an extraordinary impact on Habitat for Humanity. His courage and dedication to our mission has been an inspiration to thousands and we are so incredibly thankful for all he has done to support affordable housing solutions worldwide and right here in Kansas City,” said Lindsay Hicks, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City.
“We are deeply saddened by President Carter’s passing, and our prayers are with Mrs. Carter and 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.”
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 withHabitat 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 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.”
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 46 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.
Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City will be honoring President Carter’s legacy with a memorial door framing activity to signify the many doors, literally and figuratively, that President Carter helped to open by working with Habitat around the world. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects and sign the memorial doors/frames at Habitat KC’s administrative office or one of the five Habitat KC ReStore locations. Hours and addresses can be found at habitatkc.org.
Photos and videos of President and Mrs. Carter volunteering with Habitat for Humanity are available at habitat.ngo/cwpphotos.
Photos and videos of President and Mrs. Carter’s 1986 visit to Kansas City for the 10th anniversary celebration of Habitat for Humanity are available here.
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About Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City
Since 1979, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City has pursued its vision of a Kansas City community where everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place to call home. In partnership with homeowners, volunteers, donors and other area supporters, Habitat KC has built or renovated more than 900 homes and has impacted the lives of thousands of local families through our programs. To learn more, visit habitatkc.org.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.