Habitat for Humanity’s Most Famous Volunteer

Happy President’s Day to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter 

In celebration of President’s Day, we’d like to acknowledge the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. James (Jimmy) Earl Carter, Jr., has always had a voice for affordable, decent housing for all.  

In March of 1984, President Carter resonated with Habitat’s mission of helping families achieve their dream of homeownership when he jogged by the New York City Habitat build and thought to himself, “Rosalynn and I should come up and give them a hand.” 

 

His Deep Commitment and Value Alignment 

President Carter and Mrs. Carter realized Habitat’s mission aligned with their values – they understood the need for families to have a stable, affordable foundation to grow. With this, President and Mrs. Carter formed a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and have been building to improve homes through the Jimmy & Rosalyn Carter Work Project. 

Although Carter is most known in the world for his notable accomplishments as the President of the United States, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Governor of Georgia, and more, in Habitat’s world, President Carter is known as our most famous volunteer.  

Over the course of 30 years, President Carter has inspired millions of people in 14 countries while working alongside more than 104,000 Habitat volunteers to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes.  

“We have the ambition to share some of our good fortune with others,” Carter says. 

 “That’s one of the most difficult things in life: to cross that chasm between well-off people and families that don’t have a decent home. That’s one of the things Habitat has given to us: an ability to share, side by side, building a home with families that have never had a decent place to live.” 

A fact of Carter’s commitment

Carter suffered a fall in his Georgia home that led to 14 stitches and a visibly black eye. Despite his injuries, he traveled to Nashville to help rally volunteers during the 36th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity. 

We are honored and grateful for President Carter and Mrs. Carter’s continued partnership and support. You can add to their mission of life-changing work by volunteering, donating, or shopping at San Gabriel Valley Habitat ReStores. 

Volunteer Spotlight: Justin

MEET JUSTIN

Justin (pictured below) is our last volunteer feature for #NationalVolunteerMonth. Born in San Gabriel and raised in Azusa, he has been volunteering with Habitat for over two years!

“I wanted to help local organizations that would affect a greater amount of people. Habitat’s office was just a 3-minute drive from my home! I started helping with clerical work and data entry and have been volunteering there ever since.

“On my first day of volunteering at Habitat, I learned that Habitat builds homes for people in need and bring communities together! Through many programs and events, such as Women Build, there are many opportunities for the community to gather, communicate, and give back.”

He continues to volunteer every few weeks – but why you ask?

“I choose to help others because it makes me so happy to improve or ease someone’s day in any way. I believe that helping others helps us stay connected, and helping out as much as you can brings more joy into the world.

“I think that a safe and stable home is important because it is crucial for one’s mental and physical health. A person needs a safe place to reside and rest at the end of the day. Further, a safe home is especially important for families because it is the place where they grow and create meaningful relationships. A stable home is essential. It offers protection and helps people flourish.

“I encourage everyone, no matter your age, to support Habitat for Humanity by volunteering. There is always something engaging and productive to do, and it is an amazing environment to work in. I know that every task I do when I volunteer will impact so many people. Whether you volunteer in the office or help build a home – there are always friendly people there to assist you. Volunteering at Habitat is always the highlight of my week and I am so glad I get to help this amazing organization.”

 

Volunteer Spotlight: Crissy

MEET CRISSY

In honor of National Volunteer Month, this week’s volunteer cheers goes to Crissy (pictured below).

Never scared to pick up a hammer and put her muscles to work, Crissy is one of Habitat’s most well-known volunteers. Wherever she’s volunteering, she does it wholeheartedly!

“When I first got involved with SGV Habitat, I wanted to go big. I wanted a weekday, hands-on volunteer project that resulted in an outcome that I could see and touch. It’s a great fit for me.”

Crissy has helped in more ways than one. Whether it’s at a construction site, at the office, or as a donor, her commitment to helping others is unwavering.

“Since I started volunteering with Habitat, I continue to support the mission in a number of ways. I’ve helped build the Lomita Ave. and Manzanita Ave. homes and worked on the Pasadena home repair projects.

“I am a member of the Women Build Planning Committee where I offer Habitat staff a volunteer perspective and I enjoy my duties helping to recruit and coordinate Crew Leaders for the event. I am also really thrilled about volunteering at the new ReStore in Duarte opening soon. You can bet I’ll be there as a customer as well as a volunteer in the store.

“I feel very fortunate to be a member of the Carpenter’s Club because I know those dollars are going to help support the Habitat mission and strengthen our community.”

Parting words of wisdom from Crissy:

“Invest in your communities, and be role models for the next generation of youth as we seek to make the San Gabriel Valley and our world a better place for everyone in it.”

We are so grateful for Crissy and the significant impact she has had on families and her community. Cheers to Crissy!

Our Increased Response to COVID-19

March 31, 2020

Dear Friend,

Since I wrote to you on Monday, my team and I have been closely monitoring the escalations surrounding COVID-19, and we believe now is the time for us to do even more to protect you and the community for which we deeply care.

Here are the protective measures we’ve enacted as of today and how you can help:

ReStores

What we’re doing:

  • Atwater Village & Azusa ReStores Temporarily Closed: Beginning today, both stores will temporarily close until further notice.
  • Donation Pick-Ups Postponed: Suspended until further notice. If you have scheduled a pick-up within this period, we will contact you to reschedule.
  • No Donation Drop-Offs: Currently suspended until further notice.

How you can help:

  • Shop the Online eStore: Open 24/7 to anyone who would prefer to shop online from the comfort of home. We offer free shipping for all purchases. Supplies and quantities are limited.
  • Save Your Donations: While we cannot currently accept pick-up and drop-off donations, please save your items for donation because we’ll need your help to restock our stores.
  • Be the First to Know: Sign-up for our e-newsletter or check our website to receive the latest updates about ReStore openings, donations and our online eStore.

Volunteer Activity

What we’re doing:

  • No Construction & ReStores Volunteers: All construction sites and ReStores are closed to volunteers until Wednesday, May 18.
  • Team Build Days Postponed: If you’ve scheduled a team build day between now and Wednesday, May 18, we’ll contact you to reschedule your day.

How you can help:

  • Prepare for a Busy Build Season: Take steps to stay healthy—we have a busy build season ahead of us and we’ll need your help to build, repair and rehab homes!
  • Be the First to Know: Sign-up for our e-newsletter or visit our website to receive the latest updates about team build days, individual volunteer opportunities and much more.
  • Sign-up for Our Priority List: Be first in line for team build days once our sites re-open by adding your group to our Priority List.

Special Event: Women Build

What we’re doing:

How you can help:

  • Already Registered? Keep the Momentum Going: Click here to continue fundraising, consider forming a team or add new team members.
  • Submit a Spirit of Women Build Award Nomination: Do you know an amazing woman in our community? Tell us about her by completing a nomination form.
  • It’s Not Too Late to Join: Become a sponsor, create a team or join as an individual! Click here to get started.

Staff/Community Safety

What We’re Doing:

  • SGV Habitat Offices Closed to the Public: While are offices are closed to outside visitors, we are working hard to serve the community.
  • Have an Appointment with Us? A staff member will contact you to reschedule or to change your meeting to a video or phone appointment.

How You Can Help:

  • Call, E-mail and Visit the Website: In lieu of visiting our offices, construction sites or ReStores for the time being, please call (626) 387-6899, e-mail and or visit our website for regular updates.

Home Repair

What we’re doing:

  • We are accepting and processing applications, but there may be delays in scheduling approved repairs until work can be completed safely.

Additional Resources

Local: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
National: https://www.cdc.gov/
International: https://www.who.int/

Show Your Support with a Donation

Unfortunately, this unprecedented pandemic hinders our current ability to serve the families that are still vulnerable in our community—to whom a missed paycheck can mean catastrophe.

If you can, please make a donation now to show your support to the families who need it the most.

I invite you to join me in keeping the most vulnerable in our community, our government leaders, and medical professionals in your thoughts and prayers.

I look forward to the time when we can re-open our ReStores, offices, and construction sites, bring our staff back together, and invite you to continue our important mission in person. Until then, we’re just a phone call, e-mail or website visit away. Please take care of yourselves, your loved ones, and others who may need help.

In Solidarity,

Mark Van Lue, Executive Director | San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity

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