Jimmy Carter Work Project Heads North and South
By Suzanne Lewis

"From New York to the New South, Breaking Down Barriers and Building Up Hope" is the theme of Jimmy Carter Work Project 2000, scheduled for the week of Sept. 11.

In keeping with the theme, on Sept. 24, 1999, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, joined by New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp, knocked down a concrete wall that once barred entrance into one of the sites of this year's JCWP.

"We are pleased to be here in Harlem today to announce our Habitat for Humanity work project for the year 2000," Carter said, officially announcing the upcoming project at the ceremonial wall-breaking. "Work begins today in preparation for the annual project that bears my name."

JCWP 2000 begins Sept. 11 with President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in New York City. The religious community is a driving force behind the effort in the Big Apple, where a total of 20 houses will be built in Harlem and Brooklyn. One of the units in Harlem will be designated as Habitat's 100,000th home.

On Wednesday, the Carters will head south to HFH of Jacksonville (Fla.), affiliate, which will be working on 100 homes during the week. Then, on Thursday and Friday, the Carters will swing their hammers in their hometown of Plains, Ga. JCWP will see 35 houses built in Plains and Americus, Ga. One will be designated as Habitat's 100,001st house.

From the Big Apple to the Deep South, people from all walks of life will come together during JCWP 2000 to build homes with people in need.

Due to limited volunteer slots in New York City and Jacksonville, most volunteers will be needed in Sumter County, Ga.

For more information or to request volunteer applications, see our JCWP 2000 section of this Web site, or call HFHI's JCWP office at (800) HABITAT, ext. 2272.


-- Suzanne Lewis is media relations officer at Habitat for Humanity International.



Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, February/March 2000.
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©2000 Habitat for Humanity International