Some former presidents use their position of power and fame to push the agenda of the party that helped them win the White House. Some spend their days campaigning long after leaving office. President Jimmy Carter’s post-White House days are a model for what everyone with his power for change should be.
Jimmy Carter picking up hammer once again to build Habitat homes for those in need. https://t.co/qG1SGMICaF
— EssenViews (@essenviews) August 24, 2019
In May, President Carter fell at his home in Plains, Georgia, breaking his hip. Surgery and recovery took some time, but the 94-year-old humanitarian is not letting the injury slow him down in his efforts to provide housing to those in need.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports that:
‘From Oct. 6-11, the Carters will be in Nashville, helping to construct 21 homes. Add that to the more than 4,300 they have helped build in 14 countries since 1984.
‘“There have been many times when people have tried to count President Carter out, and they have never been right,” said Bryan Thomas, a spokesman for Habitat for Humanity International. “We are excited that they will both back.”’
Jimmy Carter says out loud what #MoscowMitch, @GOPLeader and @GOPChairwoman already know: Trump did not win the 2016 election. He is an illegitimate President. #TrumpRussia #SaturdayMorning #SaturdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/pYyPfWGquX
— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) August 17, 2019
Carter’s legacy includes the formation of Habitat for Humanity, an organization that helps those in need purchase land and build their own first home. More than 4,000 people across the world have benefitted from the program, and Carter has no intentions of letting a hip surgery stop him from doing even more. The Carters have had to curtail their schedule a bit during his recovery, but he was back on his feet at the first opportunity.
‘The first week after his surgery, he was forced to bow out of the Sunday school class he normally teaches. But he’s made a quick recovery and returned to teaching at Maranatha Baptist Church less than a month later.’
President Jimmy Carter Launches 1.3MW Solar Project
renewableenergy #jimmycarter
Read Here: https://t.co/BapHzrQnhf pic.twitter.com/EmoIBsEBqc— Solar Energy News (@SolarEnergyNews) August 24, 2019
A dearth of affordable housing across the country has served to swell the homeless population rate. In Tennessee, where Carter will return to building homes following his recovery, 12 out of every 10,000 residents struggle with homelessness each day. Carter’s tireless efforts to address the problem means that families will find a way out of the endless cycle of poverty and homelessness.
‘The build in Tennessee comes at a time when the Southern city is struggling to find ways to come up with affordable housing to keep up with Nashville’s recent growth. Though the boon has brought more jobs and opportunities, it’s also meant an increase in housing prices, which has left low-income residents struggling.
‘In March, Mayor David Briley unveiled his Under One Roof 2029 initiative.
‘The city plans to invest $750 million over the next decade to build 10,000 affordable housing units across the city.’
Jimmy Carter: World at "turning point," must commit to peace https://t.co/unLQXsZQqe
— Welby G. BERTRAM (@WelbyGBERTRAM) August 24, 2019
Featured image via Flickr by Commonwealth Club under a Creative Commons license