Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007
Habitat For Humanity Greater LA.
The Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007 brought together volunteers from all over the world to sites in South Central Los Angeles and San Pedro. From Oct. 28 to Nov. 2 volunteers and partner families joined former President and Mrs. Carter to build 30 houses and refurbish dozens of others. I was one of those thousands of volunteers.
It's hard for me to describe what I experienced, but I can tell you this, it changed my life.
Initially, I was asked to host a Women Build It tent at the opening day festival and to be an Honorary House Leader during the build week. I was honored by the invitation. It sounded like fun and being that I had always wanted to be involved in one of Habitat's builds I signed on. Little did I know what I was in for...
The festival and opening ceremony were wonderful! There, I got an initial glimpse of what this fantastic organization accomplishes, but it wasn't anywhere near as powerful as what I came to experience at the build.
So there I was the first day of the build in San Pedro sporting my loaded toolbelt and mandatory hard-hat. When I walked up the hill to the build-site I couldn't believe my eyes. Thousands of people scurrying around roof tops, up and down scaffolding, in and out of windows--hammering, painting, sawing—I thought, these are all volunteers? YES. Everyone there--moms, professional athletes, movie stars, scientists, doctors, handymen, business owners, TV celebrities, retired seniors--from all around the world, taking time out from their life to help make a difference. It was humbling.
I realized the staggering potential there is to make positive changes in this world when people come together.
The most moving moment was when the new home owners officially received the keys to their house. I can assure you there wasn't a dry eye out there.
The experience and friends I made through Habitat will be with me always. As they describe it—I have a serious case of Habititis.
I cannot urge people enough to become involved in a Habitat project. Trust me when I tell you, you walk away from it empowered, encouraged, and enriched. Funny how when you look to help someone else you end up helping yourself…
For more information about JCWP and Habitat Click Here
