We celebrate the former U.S. President’s Life as a World Leader and Humanitarian

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and plans observances to remember his life of service. With peace and grace, President and Mrs. Carter served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the last 35 years as they helped build affordable homes worldwide with the organization.

President Carter’s legacy demonstrates dedication to advocating for social justice and human rights, and to alleviating human suffering. 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 March 1984. Each year since then, the Carters volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States and around the world. Inspiring millions over the last three decades, President and Mrs. Carter worked alongside more than 104,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes.

We at Habitat LA honor his memory as a distinguished humanitarian committed to the enrichment of others. I was fortunate to know President and Mrs. Carter, having built homes with them around the world as President and Mrs. Carter hosted the annual HFH Carter Work Projects. Habitat LA was honored to host two of those builds here in Los Angeles in 1995 and again in 2007. Having known him over the last 24 years, I always admired President Carter’s passionate willingness to share goodwill while making genuine connections with the people he encountered.

President Carter once said, “Habitat provides a simple but powerful avenue for people of different backgrounds to come together to achieve those most meaningful things in life. A decent home, yes, but also a genuine bond with our fellow human beings. A bond that comes with the building up of walls and the breaking down of barriers.”

I know I am joined during this time by homeowners and volunteers around the globe who continue to pray for the family of President Carter and send them the same love and compassion he gave others throughout his lifetime.