Key Takeaways:
– In April 1984, former President Jimmy Carter visited a Habitat for Humanity project site in New York City.
– Despite initially being invited as a courtesy, Carter took an active role.
– His substantial contributions drew international attention to Habitat for Humanity.
– President Carter’s involvement transformed the organization into a household name.
Meeting a Former President
In the spring of 1984, I found myself standing in the Presidential Suite of New York City’s Waldorf Astoria, waiting to meet former President Jimmy Carter. I was only 25, and the meeting was as surreal as it was nerve-wracking. Carter, only three years out of office, was there to review a project I had undertaken with Habitat for Humanity.
The Initial Project
As the executive director of the New York City affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, it was my job to manage a building renovation project on the Lower East Side. My team comprised volunteers and neighborhood church crews, working with a modest budget to restore a burned-out building considered a neighborhood icon, Mascot Flats in Alphabet City. This was no easy feat. It involved both navigating a daunting bureaucracy and managing an overwhelming construction project.
The Lower East Side in the Mid-80s
During the 1980s, the Lower East Side bore little resemblance to the hip, burgeoning community it is today. It more often recalled the images of a war-torn city, with buildings reduced to rubble by arson. The neighborhood was notorious for its high crime rate, with drug dealers conducting business around the clock.
The Inception of Jimmy Carter’s Involvement with Habitat
Habitat for Humanity was a relatively unknown organization back in 1984. Its headquarters in Americus, Georgia, were close to Carter’s home. Carter and his wife Rosalynn had expressed an interest in the organization’s activities. Following a meeting with the organization’s founder, Millard Fuller, Carter pledged his support to Habitat, in a move that would later prove to be crucial to its success.
Carter Visits New York Habitat Project Site
One day, I came across a news piece about Carter’s forthcoming visit to New York City for an event. I cheekily suggested to Fuller that asking Carter to visit our ongoing project might be a good idea, albeit unlikely. To my surprise, Carter agreed.
The day of his visit was memorable. With NYPD on his side, Carter bravely climbed six stories up a temporary wooden staircase. From the top, he got a panoramic view of the severe socioeconomic disparities in Manhattan. Carter promised to help complete our project before he left.
Carter Commits to Habitat’s Project
True to his words, Carter not only put together a volunteer team but also decided to join them as a carpenter. This move stunned the press, who were skeptical of a former president getting his hands dirty. They expected a ceremonial visit, a few hammer swings, and a swift exit. But they were wrong. Carter was the last person to leave the site each day, and it was this commitment and hard work that propelled Habitat for Humanity into the national spotlight.
Conclusion
That week, Jimmy Carter wasn’t just the former President of the United States, he was a carpenter, a volunteer, and a beacon of hope for all those involved. His dedication demonstrated how one person can make a difference. His engagement with Habitat for Humanity nurtured the organization’s growth and instilled a drive for community development that still persists today. Carter taught us that with hard work, persistence, and kindness, anything is possible, regardless of your titles or past accomplishments.