Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County joined a small group of Habitat leadership, volunteers and homeowners in Washington D.C. at the Capitol rotunda to pay respects to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteer.
Habitat NYC and Westchester hosted the first-ever Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in 1984, at Mascot Flats in the city’s Lower East Side—Mr. and Mrs. Carter returned to build with the New York City affiliate three more times, most recently in 2013.
Over the last four 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. The Carters have been tireless advocates, active fundraisers, and devoted volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. Their engagement has rallied thousands of volunteers and even celebrities, helping the housing nonprofit become internationally recognized for its work to build decent and affordable housing around the world.
“New Yorkers and global citizens alike have lost one of our greatest advocates for affordable housing, self-help homeownership, and shelter for all. We add our voices to the chorus around the world celebrating a life well-built.” said Habitat NYC and Westchester CEO, Sabrina Lippman. “President Carter’s legacy will endure through every home he helped build and every home our organization continues to build across New York City and Westchester County, the nation, and the world.”
The life of one Mascot Flats homeowner, Don Kao, was forever changed after President Carter’s visit to work on his home, recalling, “To have somebody like a former president come and donate his time, it was unbelievable.” 30 years later, Mr. Kao hosted the Carters in his apartment at a retrospective reception, and in a poignant full-circle moment, he is attending Jimmy Carter’s lying-in-state ceremony and funeral alongside Habitat NYC and Westchester CEO, Sabrina Lippman, for a final farewell.
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. For photos and videos of President and Mrs. Carter volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, click here.
