The legacy of President Jimmy Carter continues to thrive through various nonprofits he and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, have supported for nearly 50 years after their time in the White House.
In Los Angeles on Monday, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles held a significant event where community members signed wooden two-by-fours intended for a new house, honoring the former president, who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29. In Houston, additional tributes are planned, allowing community members to sign a door and wall in a new house, commemorating the countless homes the Carters have helped build. Similar initiatives are sprouting in Tallahassee, Florida, and various other locations in preparation for Carter’s state funeral on January 9.
These tributes reflect Carter’s unwavering commitment to affordable housing and underscore how his and Rosalynn’s impactful work will endure.
In 1982, the couple founded The Carter Center, aimed at easing conflicts, promoting democracy, and eradicating treatable diseases like Guinea worm.
The center has monitored over 125 elections across 40 countries and three tribal nations, with Carter himself actively mediating political agreements in places like Nepal, Bolivia, and Zimbabwe. In 2002, his efforts earned him a Nobel Peace Prize for his work in conflict resolution and human rights advocacy.
Carter’s approach set a benchmark for post-presidency engagement, demonstrating how a leader can significantly contribute to society after leaving office.
In 1986, responding to a recommendation from health officials, Carter focused on eradicating Guinea worm disease, an initiative that The Carter Center has championed ever since.
The phrase “To the demise of the worm” became synonymous with their mission, highlighting the center’s substantial impact as Guinea worm cases plummeted from 3.5 million to just 14 cases in 2023, according to reports.
Over the last four decades, the Carters have also fostered a strong partnership with Habitat for Humanity, an organization focused on building and refurbishing homes.
When President Carter and Mrs. Carter volunteered with Habitat’s early efforts in 1984, they helped rejuvenate a tenement in Manhattan, contributing to the organization’s growth into a global entity.
Carter noted his work with Habitat as a reflection of his Christian values. With a reputation as a skilled carpenter, his commitment and work ethic on-site were commendable.
His competitive spirit was evident, with a light-hearted rivalry among volunteers to see who could finish their house first.
Today, Habitat for Humanity operates in 70 countries, with roughly 910,000 individuals volunteering in 2023. The organization reports 4,447 homes built in 14 countries through the Carter Work Project.
Cleora Taylor, who met the Carters during a home-building event in 2018, recalls the warmth of Jimmy Carter as he personally acknowledged her by name and showed genuine interest in her family.
Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in 2023, was a longstanding advocate for mental health and caregiver recognition. She often emphasized the importance of caregivers in her advocacy.
In 1987, she founded an organization known today as the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, dedicated to supporting those in caregiving roles. Recently, significant donations were pledged to bolster the institute’s efforts.
