In 1984, former first lady Rosalynn Carter and former President of the United States Jimmy Carter began collaborating with Habitat for Humanity. Mr. and Mrs. Carter were aware of Habitat for Humanity’s goals and wanted to support them. The Carters made it a mission to provide families with a secure, inexpensive foundation on which to flourish. Giving individuals a secure place to live was Mr. Carter’s and Habitat’s goal. With this deeply held mission at its center, the Carters and Habitat formed a partnership. This partnership helped to build 4,390 homes over the course of 35 years in 14 different countries with the assistance of 104,000 volunteers.
History of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project
The Carters have supported Habitat’s work by donating their time and knowledge. The Carter Work Project was launched in 1984 as a joint venture between Mr. Carter and Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Carter and 19 volunteer families built a home for a struggling family as the project’s first step. The Carter Work Project has developed into an annual, week-long event focused on assisting the less fortunate. President Carter’s Habitat for Humanity legacy has inspired thousands of volunteers to get involved in their communities. With the mission to provide low-income families with the materials they need to live happy, full lives. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have volunteered their time to build thousands of homes all over the world.
ARS President & CEO, Joe Hearn, poses with Mr. & Mrs. Carter and other Habitat for Humanity volunteers during their Haiti trip.
In 2011, ARS joined the former president and first lady on their Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Haiti. Organized with Habitat for Humanity International, four hundred volunteers including Marcia Rundle, Executive Director of Habitat’s Cars for Homes program, and Joe Hearn, President & CEO of Advanced Remarketing Services, were able to lend a hand on this project. Check out the video below:
Carter Work Project 2023
The Carter Work Project has been building homes and communities for over 30 years. Raising awareness of the critical need for affordable housing. In honoring his legacy, Habitat is planning the 2023 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, hosted by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. This will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, from October 1–6. Over five days, future homeowners will work alongside Brooks, Yearwood, and hundreds of other volunteers from Charlotte and around the world to build 20 single-family affordable homes on nine acres of land.
Mr. Carter has been an advocate, active fundraiser, and hands-on volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for over 30 years. If you’re unable to participate in a build, donating your car is an easy way to support Habitat for Humanity and its mission! Your Cars for Homes donation will help provide safe and affordable housing for a family in your local community. Fill out the online donation form or call 877-277-4344 to donate your car!