Former President Jimmy Carter's life exemplified the power of service to others. While his achievements span politics, business, and philanthropy, his humanitarian work—particularly with Habitat for Humanity—illustrates his commitment to helping those in need.
A Commitment to Affordable Housing
At the heart of Carter's humanitarian vision was a simple yet profound understanding: everyone deserves a safe, affordable, and decent place to call home. This belief led him to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia in 1984. The experience so moved him that he soon found himself in New York City, helping rehabilitate a vacant building for affordable housing—marking the beginning of what would become the annual Carter Work Project.
Though many assume Carter founded Habitat for Humanity, the organization was actually established in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. However, Carter's involvement proved transformative. Understanding the influence his name carried, he readily lent his prominence to Habitat's cause, dramatically amplifying awareness of affordable housing needs worldwide.
Those who worked alongside Carter on build sites consistently paint a picture of a man whose work ethic matched his compassion. While always gracious with volunteers and members of the media who wanted to say hello or take photos, Carter remained focused on the task at hand. He wasn't there for photo opportunities—he was there to work.
Carter’s Impact and Leadership in Michigan
The impact of Carter's dedication reached far and wide, including significant projects in Michigan. In 2005, the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project undertook an ambitious initiative across the state. The numbers tell an impressive story: 234 homes dedicated, nearly $20 million in building projects, and over 20,000 volunteers participating. The project spanned from Detroit to the state's west side, bringing together more than 60 local Habitat affiliates.
Perhaps one of the most moving examples of Carter's humanitarian spirit came in 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Sandra Pearson, President Emerita of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, recalls a powerful dinner where the Carters spoke about returning to Vietnam for the first time since the war. Both Jimmy and Rosalynn shed tears as they discussed how building homes together could serve as a path to healing. The project even brought Vietnam veterans to build alongside Vietnamese citizens, creating powerful moments of reconciliation and understanding. Read Mrs. Pearson's entire statement at the end of this article.
Dr. Ken Bensen, founder and first president of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, puts Carter's impact in perspective: while he didn't start Habitat for Humanity, the organization wouldn't have reached its current scale without his leadership. Thousands of families in Michigan and around the world now have decent, affordable housing thanks to Carter's involvement. Read Dr. Bensen's entire statement at the end of this article.
As Sandra Pearson reflects, the Carters "set the tone and example of God's love in action." They worked tirelessly, always accompanied by family members, and consistently maintained that they gained more from these experiences than they gave. Their work with Habitat for Humanity wasn't just about building homes—it was about building hope, fostering peace, and demonstrating the healing power of service to others.
Jimmy Carter's legacy reminds us that true greatness lies not in the positions we hold, but in how we use our influence to help others. Through his work with Habitat for Humanity, he showed us that everyone can contribute to making the world a better place, one home at a time.
Continuing the Legacy
In the coming days, Habitat affiliates across Michigan are joining the nation in honoring Carter's legacy. You’re invited to pay tribute to honor this great man at the following sites.
Habitat for Humanity International: We invite you to join us in remembering President Carter’s remarkable legacy. Share how you’ve been inspired by President Carter’s life and service in our memory book. https://www.habitat.org/honoringcarter/memory-book
Habitat for Humanity of Kent County: We are honored to join Habitats all over the world in a special tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter. We invite the community to visit The Gerald Ford Presidential Library & Museum this week to sign a memorial door in honor of President Carter and his legacy of putting Habitat for Humanity on the map and bringing global awareness to the need for affordable housing. We also have a Facebook event page if you'd like to leave a tribute there: https://ow.ly/Z20L50UxX3K Learn more about President and Rosalynn Carter's legacy with Habitat and details about the door signing here: https://ow.ly/5O6k50UxWrR
Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity: Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. joins Habitat organizations around the world in erecting a memorial framed wall to pay tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter and acknowledge how his efforts opened doors to brighter futures for thousands of Habitat homeowners over nearly four decades. Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity’s memorial framed wall will be displayed at the Cheboygan Habitat ReStore, 9385 N Straits Highway, Cheboygan, MI 49721. The media and the general public are invited to pay tribute by signing the memorial with their names and personal messages.
Cadillac Area Habitat for Humanity: A memorial door is displayed in the ReStore at 7545 East 34 Rd. in Cadillac. The public is invited to come in and sign the door in memory of President Carter.
Northeast Michigan Habitat for Humanity: Join us for an open house and celebration of life of Jimmy Carter. January 9, 2025, 11 am - 2 pm at 15600 Caring St., Hillman, MI 49746. Click here to open a flyer for more information.
Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity: We are honored to join Habitat’s all over the world in a special tribute to President and Mrs. Carter and invite the community to visit the Saginaw County Courthouse Building, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Saginaw, MI 48602 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Thursday, January 9, 2025 to sign a designated door in honor of President Carter and his legacy of putting Habitat for Humanity on the map and bringing global awareness to the need for affordable housing.
*** Check back here often for more memorial activities as they're announced. ***
Sandra Pearson, President Emerita of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan:
“I was fortunate to meet President Carter for the first time in 2009 in Hanoi where the the 2009 Carter Work Project was in three locations in Vietnam. Michigan took several volunteers to the build that year, enough to build two homes. Ken Bensen, Habitat Michigan’s first president and CEO who I succeeded in 2010, and I had the privilege of attending a private dinner with the Vietnamese government officials and President Carter while in Hanoi. It was humbling to listen to the President and Mrs. Carter share how deeply meaningful it was to return to Vietnam for the first time since the war ended during his presidency. They both shed tears and talked of the healing power of volunteering and building homes together for the people in need of partnership in Vietnam. We, as Habitat for Humanity in Michigan took teams of volunteers, including Vietnam Veterans, to Vietnam for an annual build for several years. The Vietnam Vets found the experience powerful and healing and it was a gift to share the experience with them as they worked, laughed, and played with the people of Vietnam.
Jimmy Carter and his wife are great humanitarians and teachers of peace, healing, and love in action. Michiganders have benefited from his legacy in so many ways. I am so fortunate to have built with them in Hanoi, Haiti, Canada, Indiana, and Tennessee. I am also thankful for the experience of going to church with the Carters and listening and learning to one of President Carter’s Sunday school lessons.
Many relationships have been forged through the builds and many people are now living in quality homes thanks to those builds and the volunteers all around the world. The Carters set the tone and example of God’s love in action and they worked very hard and were very serious about the building of the homes. They always had other family members with them. Both were very articulate and would always say that they gained far more than they give when building with Habitat for Humanity. For me, the builds represented hope for world peace.”
Dr. Ken Bensen, founder and first president of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan:
“As I travel around, I find that many people believe that President Carter started Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity was started by Millard Fuller. Having said that, Habitat for Humanity would not be providing thousands of families with decent and affordable housing if it were not for President Carter. As I organized Habitat for Humanity in Michigan each new affiliate mentioned President Carter’s involvement.
Thousands of families here in Michigan and around the world have decent and affordable housing as a result of President Carter's leadership. In 2005 President and Mrs. Carter came to Michigan and under their leadership the state affiliates were able to build 234 homes in one week. They brought with them over 20,000 volunteers and millions of dollars that week. It was my privilege to lead two Jimmy Carter's work camps in Chicago, 1986 and in Michigan, 2005. In doing so I was privileged to get to know a great man.
May he rest in peace.”