Passaic County Habitat for Humanity joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. President 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 exemplified servant leadership, leaving an unparalleled legacy of humble, selfless dedication. He not only raised awareness of critical issues but also demonstrated how to work toward tangible solutions. His leadership and example will be deeply missed," said Scott Millard, CEO of Passaic County Habitat for Humanity.
Passaic County Habitat for Humanity (also known as Paterson Habitat for Humanity) sent volunteers to many Carter Work Projects over the years. Theie experiences were rewarding and impactful. Long-time volunteer, and our affiliate’s photographer, William Neuman stated “I was very overwhelmed to hear that President Carter passed away. He left our world with guidance on how to live a long faithful and grace-filled life. Habitat For Humanity (HFHI) benefited from his notoriety but even more from his spirituality. Along with other volunteeres from Passaic, Bergen, and Morris County Habitat affiliates, I worked on five Jimmy and Roselyn Carter Work Projects as a volunteer and photographer for HFHI. During these events I had a few personal times with Jimmy. At one point he told me that he was "just another volunteer." His humble openness and good humor were always evident.”
“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.”
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 until 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 1984-1987.
“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.”
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 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.
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