Volunteers, homeowners and supporters from across the world joined Habitat Humanitarians and country music superstars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood to help build 30 new homes for the 2024 Carter Work Project in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the project supported Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s plan to create up to 150 affordable housing units in a resident-named neighborhood called The Heights.
Among the volunteers were current Twin Cities Habitat homeowners, who understand firsthand the challenges of unstable housing.
At Carter Work Project 2024, they were excited to continue giving back and helping their future neighbors build homes, community and hope.
Meet a few of the homeowners who lent their time and voices:
Buffy
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Buffy purchased her home in St. Paul with Habitat Twin Cities in 2003. She used her home as a strong foundation for her children and to build her own education and career, earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Today, she is a licensed social worker.
Her youngest son Darrius, now 25, struggled with sickle cell anemia until a recent successful bone marrow transplant. He joined his mother onsite for the week to help support to the community their family has strong, lasting roots in.
“My neighbor is a Habitat homeowner, and to this day, over 20 years later, we’re still connected to each other. We have grandkids now, so our grandkids play together in the same yard that our kids played in. Community is so important. ‘You’re not here by yourself. We’ll help you. We’ll do this together.’ Those are the types of things that community provides.”
—Buffy
Bridgette
Bridgette, a Chicago native, is still settling into her Twin Cities Habitat home, having closed on the house in June 2024. She already can’t wait for her kitchen to be a bustling hub for the holidays, giving her adult children and grandson a place to gather for her home cooked Thanksgiving meals.
Inspired by her gratitude for Habitat, she jumped at the chance to help build at the Carter Work Project and support future homeowners on their own journeys.
“I’ve always been a volunteer, so that’s part of me. And from the time I walked through the doors at Habitat, during all the courses and classes I took, the Habitat staff worked so hard, they put so much into you, and it’s almost infectious. It made me want to do some good, and what’s better than giving back in the same place that has given to me?”
—Bridgette
Juanita
Juanita and her husband Jacques bought their Habitat-rehabbed home in North Minneapolis in 1995. Today, they’re among the longest-standing Twin Cities Habitat homeowners.
Their home provided a stable environment for their children to finish high school, pursue higher education and create lasting memories as a family. Juanita herself returned to school to complete her bachelor’s degree.
Juanita was excited about the domino effect of her volunteer efforts at Carter Work Project.
“Homeownership gives you the ability, now that you’re in one place, to focus on, ‘What kind of resources can I pay back to our community? What can I do to engage in our community?’ I think owning a home opens the door to a wealth of possibilities to grow, not only in stability, but in getting engaged and letting your children see that being part of a community is a positive, positive experience.”
—Juanita
James
While facing skyrocketing rent rates five years ago, James looked for another housing solution for himself and his two kids – that’s when he found Habitat and bought his home in Minneapolis.
Since then, he’s felt he’s been able to give his two kids the stability they deserve. At the project, he was excited use his time and hands to support future Habitat Homeowners.
“To be able to give back, if I could describe it in one word, it would be: amazing. Just knowing I can help someone else – it’s a beautiful feeling. It brings me joy to help others. Whenever you can help someone else, whether it’s big or small, it should always bring you joy.”
—James
LeAndra
In 2019, LeAndra and her oldest daughter helped build the home she bought from Twin Cities Habitat. A proud St. Paul native and mother of three, she’s always been active in speaking up for her family and her community.
That week, she was ready to be a hands-on volunteer, and as a homeowner of five years, she had a reminder for those soon to be walking the halls she’s helping build.
“You did it. And guess what? It’s yours. This is a gift that keeps giving. Take your time. Pick your furnishings and your fixtures. Pick them slowly, because you are here for the long run. One thing about becoming that homeowner is you have that time to create your home into what you want it to be.”
—LeAndra
Monisha
Growing up in unstable housing, Monisha wanted to provide a different experience for her children. In 2022, she and her husband, Roodly, bought their home on the open market through Habitat.
Monisha has served on Twin Cities Habitat’s Black Homeownership Advisory Council, helping to identify barriers faced by Black homebuyers and contributing to the creation of Habitat’s groundbreaking Advancing Black Homeownership program.
By sharing her story and the resources Habitat provides, she hopes to inspire future homeowners as they work toward a home of their own.
“Habitat has the tools and the resources for you to be able to obtain a home. They will walk you through the journey. They’ll show you what you need to be successful in buying a home. I really am grateful that I’m able to now say, as a homeowner, ‘This is obtainable. You can do it.’”
—Monisha
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The 2024 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project was a landmark milestone for Habitat, marking the project’s 40th anniversary. Habitat Humanitarians and country music superstars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood hosted the event in St. Paul, Minnesota, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 2024.
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From painting walls to framing houses, the Carters have always been ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work alongside fellow volunteers. Journey through these memorable build site moments with two of Habitat’s greatest supporters and hands-on volunteers.