Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity mourns the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and joins others around the world to remember his life of service. He and Rosalynn Carter have served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 40 years, helping to build affordable housing with the organization.

“Our hearts are with the family of President Jimmy Carter, who alongside the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter, helped open doors for thousands of Habitat homeowners and improve the lives of countless families across the globe,” said Chris Coleman, President & CEO of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

“Among his many legacies, President Carter leaves behind a legacy of humble service to others. He is an inspiration for all of us to commit to lifelong service and generosity.”

President Jimmy and First Lady Rosalynn Carter visit the Twin Cities during the 2010 Carter Work Project.

“We are deeply saddened by President Carter’s passing, and our prayers are with the Carter family,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “President and Mrs. Carter began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity near their home in southwest Georgia more than 40 years ago, and soon brought worldwide attention to the need for decent and affordable housing. We are grateful for the incredible impact the Carters have had on Habitat and on the families who have benefited from their shining example. The Carters put Habitat for Humanity on the map, and their legacy lives on in every family we serve around the world.”

President Carter and Rosalynn visit Indiana for the 2018 Carter Work Project.

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 Americus, Georgia, near their home of Plains, in March 1984. Later that same year, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. That trip marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project (later renamed the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project). Each year since then, the Carters have volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States and around the world. President Carter also served as a member of the organization’s board of directors from 1984-1987.

“I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need,” President Carter has said. “What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired and wept.”

The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project is an annual event that celebrates the impact President and Mrs. Carter have had on Habitat for Humanity’s mission. The event also helps cast a global spotlight on the urgent need for affordable housing. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity was one of the host locations in 2010 and 2024.

In 2010, President and Mrs. Carter worked alongside hundreds of volunteers to build, renovate, or repair a total of 20 homes in North Minneapolis and the East Side of St. Paul. Then-St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman built alongside President Carter and participated in associated events. Take a heart-warming trip down memory lane with several staff members as they recall what they remember most about the 2010 Carter Work Project.

President Carter working on-site during the 2010 Carter Work Project in Minneapolis.

Site Supervisor Tony Beckstrom has been with Twin Cities Habitat for more than 35 years and was the Site Supervisor at the Habitat house that President Carter worked on during the 2010 Carter Work Project. Tony fondly recalls President Carter’s use of tools.

“He used our drill and Sabre saw, but not the nail gun. Anything he could do with his own tools, he’d use them. When he installed siding, he didn’t use the nail gun; he used his grandfather’s hammer.”

“He was absolutely the sweetest, kindest man I’ve ever met in my life,” Tony remembers. “What comes through on television – that’s him. He was just the coolest guy. Pure good intentions and no hidden agenda. It was just an honor to spend the week with him.”

Twin Cities Habitat staff with President and Mrs. Carter during the 2010 Carter Work Project.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity was again honored to host the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in fall of 2024. From September 29 to October 4, 2024, thousands of volunteers, celebrities, elected officials, and other VIPs celebrated President Carter’s 100th birthday and the Carters’ legacy by building 30 homes at The Heights on St. Paul’s Greater East Side.

Volunteers at the 2024 Carter Work Project in St. Paul.

Over the last four decades, the Carter Work Project has touched lives around the world by inspiring more than 108,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,447 Habitat homes. Learn more about the global impact of the Carter Work Project over the years. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has served more than 62 million people around the world.

In 2016, Habitat named President and Mrs. Carter as the inaugural Habitat Humanitarians for their extraordinary dedication to service in alignment with Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat for Humanity will be celebrating President Carter’s life of service with local observances and an online memory book. To learn more or to share a tribute, visit habitat.org.

President Carter speaks at the 2010 Carter Work Project.