Habitat for Humanity Int'l

Three Communities Accept the Challenge

The 21st Century Challenge

Meet the Simmons Family

Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003

Volunteers - LaGrange, Ga.

A lesson in diversity
Canadian volunteer learning about ‘place in society’
By Rebekah Daniel

Many volunteers find it convenient to ease into the rigors of construction a little at a time—a Saturday here, a small project there. Volunteer Sean Maguire, however, found it easier to block off a whole week. So last Thursday, he packed up some tools, jumped on a plane, and threw himself into one of the most intense weeks of building Habitat for Humanity can produce.

"I've always seen a lot of press coverage of the JCWPs and thought I’d like to do it,” he says. “I have a huge amount of respect for Carter and the things he’s done since he left office.”

Maguire was especially excited to learn that the house he has been assigned to, House #17, is the house on which former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is scheduled to build, also.

Maguire lives near Vancouver, British Columbia, and works as a project manager for a software development company. He also takes classes in a university degree program. The diversity he’s found on the build site—in thought and perspective as well as speech and hometown—has offered opportunities for learning more than construction skills.

"I'm taking back a whole new perspective on what diversity in the workplace really is, and a much better perspective on my place in society,” he says.