
Memphis, Tennessee will
host Habitat for Humanity’s 2016 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

ATLANTA
(Nov. 2, 2015) –
Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, along with
country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, helped build a home today
in Memphis, Tennessee, and joined Habitat for Humanity in announcing its 33rd
Carter Work Project, which will take place in the city’s Uptown neighborhood,
Aug. 21-27, 2016.
“Rosalynn
and I are thrilled to play a role in helping Habitat continue the great work
underway in the Uptown neighborhood of Memphis," said President Carter,
“We look forward to returning in August next year and by then, I know a
wonderful family will have made this house we are starting today a home – where
they can find the strength and stability they need for a brighter future.”
Since
1983, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis has been dedicated to eliminating
substandard housing throughout the city, where more than 29 percent of the
population lives below poverty level, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s
American Community Survey. Habitat for Humanity has served more than 445
Memphis families through new home construction and an additional 80 families
through critical home repair projects in the Uptown neighborhood. With support
from volunteers and donors, Habitat will help improve living conditions for
Memphis families during the Carter Project, as well as continue to improve
communities in the city and surrounding areas.
Habitat’s
Carter Project volunteers will conduct multiple projects during the build week,
including new home construction, beautification projects such as minor repairs,
painting and landscaping, and Aging in Place projects, including critical home repairs,
weatherization, and modifications to enhance accessibility and mobility for
low-income seniors.
“We
are excited to work alongside President and Mrs. Carter, our volunteers and the
partner families in Memphis next year,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat
for Humanity International. “The efforts in Uptown are great examples of what
can happen when members of the public, private and social sectors invest in a
neighborhood. Tremendous opportunities lie ahead for families who will have a
mortgage they can afford and the stable foundation they need to build strength
and self-reliance.”
Garth
Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will also build with Habitat during the 2016 Carter
Project, which will make it the country music stars’ eighth time to volunteer
with President and Mrs. Carter. Brooks and Yearwood have been helping Habitat
improve communities since 2007, including building homes after Hurricane
Katrina and in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.
President
and Mrs. Carter have worked alongside 92,000 volunteers to build, renovate and
repair 3,943 Habitat for Humanity homes in 14 countries, while raising
awareness of the critical need for affordable housing.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a
decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out
of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through
home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to
improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve
access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support
services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on
their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing
organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of
all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn
more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.