Many volunteers arrive to the Mishawaka build site each morning as day breaks, getting a jump on another day of hard work and deep fellowship.
Every morning, Habitat homeowners like John have been on hand to greet everyone arriving at the 2018 Carter Work Project build site.
President and Mrs. Carter work side by side, as they have since the first Carter Work Project in 1984.
Inspired by the example of the Carters and that unique Carter Work Project feeling, volunteers return year after year to build community with each other and with families around the world.
The project in St. Joseph County, Indiana, marks the 10th consecutive Carter Work Project for Habitat Humanitarians Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks.
President Carter and talk show host and longtime Habitat volunteer David Letterman share a laugh. “It is amazing that there is this community of people here now building in what seems to be an orderly manner,” Letterman says. “Six months from now, there will be a community of completely different people going on about their lives.”
Country music singer Eric Paslay and his wife, Natalie, are passionate about using their voices to raise awareness for the need for decent, affordable housing while lending their hands to create solutions. “The ultimate reason we are here is to love each other and take care of each other,” Paslay told volunteers and future Habitat homeowners on the first build day of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
Future homeowner Jhunixa thanks and greets volunteers as building on her home begins.
Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford chats with volunteers during the first day of construction at the 2018 Carter Work Project.
A neighborhood takes shape. “When I walk through the activity on the construction site, I see the community already,” says Nusrat, whose family will call this neighborhood home in coming months.
By the middle of the week, front porches began to materialize. From flooring to roofing, volunteers and homeowners tackled a wide array of tasks throughout the project.
President and Mrs. Carter visit with future homeowner Kaniece and the crew building her home on the fourth day of building. “I want to build a foundation for my children,” Kaniece says about her future Habitat home. “A Habitat home means security and a place to call our own. They can run around and be kids.”
On the final day, volunteers added finishing touches, like mulch and sod, and bask in the progress made over the week.
For many, the connections that formed over the week will last a lifetime. “We’re building a real neighborhood and bond here,” shared future homeowner Raven.
