Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, Habitat for Humanity to build 150 homes across Canada in 2017
Since he left the Oval Office in 1981, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has built a lasting legacy as a champion of peace and humanitarian causes.
He's also kept plenty of hammers and tape measures busy, too.
President Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his extensive work advancing human rights, alleviating human suffering, and finding “peaceful solutions to international conflicts.”
And, for more than three decades, he and wife Rosalynn have left a strong, sturdy legacy in their fight against poverty—teaming with Habitat for Humanity, and creating affordable housing around the world, by leading thousands of volunteers in annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Projects.
Next summer, it’s Canada’s turn. The 34th annual Carter Work Project will build 150 homes, in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, in 40 communities across the country. The Carters announced earlier this week that they’ll focus their own efforts on Edmonton and Winnipeg from July 9 to 14, 2017.
“In the Habitat world, getting the Carter Work Project is almost like winning the Olympics,” Habitat for Humanity Edmonton’s president Alfred Nikolai told media during Monday’s announcement.
Since 1984, President and Mrs. Carter have travelled around the world with Habitat for Humanity to build and improve homes—working with nearly 100,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, repair and renovate more than 4,000 homes.
“While Canada is well known for its high standard of living, housing affordability is at an all-time low. There are 1.6 million Canadians, including many Indigenous families, who are in need of a safe, decent, affordable place to call home,” President Carter says during a YouTube address announcing his return to Canada in 2017.
Enbridge, which has a long-standing partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada, is one of several companies supporting next summer’s Carter Work Project.
The Enbridge Aboriginal Home Program is now in the fourth year of a five-year, $1-million partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Aboriginal Housing Program. Through this initiative, we sponsor four home builds a year across Canada for Indigenous families.
Enbridge and Habitat for Humanity Canada have worked together on numerous home builds in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Canada.
“The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project is an exciting project that makes a direct impact on Canadians and Indigenous communities, by helping build safe, affordable homes,” says Leon Zupan, Enbridge’s chief operating officer. “The project also helps to raise awareness to the distinct housing challenges facing Canadians.”
