MBiz

18 MBiz | june 2017 L yle Street in Winnipeg's St. James neighbourhood is a long way from the White House in Washington D.C., but for former American president Jimmy Carter that distance is measured by thousands of sturdy houses sheltering thousands of happy and stable families. Carter and his wife Rosalynn are ambassadors and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. Motivated by the belief that access to secure and affordable housing is an inalienable right and the foundation for a better life, Habitat has been building houses for low income families for more than four decades. Both Carters will be in Winnipeg the week of July 9-14 as part of Habitat for Humanity's 34th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. At 92 and 89 years of age respectively, they will be donning hard hats and eagerly wielding hammers, saws and sandpaper as they help to build 40 houses in the city, most of them on Lyle Street. The building marathon is part of an initiative designed to coincide with and celebrate the country's 150th birthday. The project, the biggest Habitat for Humanity build ever in Canada, will engage thousands of volunteers in the construction of 150 new homes in 40 communities across the country over the course of the summer. Habitat volunteers typically reflect all backgrounds and experiences. Many of them are, like the Carters, retired seniors. Others are middle-aged suburbanites, downtowners, high school and university students, labourers, artists, professionals and business executives. Many have no prior building experience. "We will host over 2,500 volunteers in Winnipeg," says Michelle Pereira, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba's vice- president of Marketing, Communications and Philanthropy. That number will be divvied up over the five days of the build. Each day will see 400 volunteers actually working on the houses, and another 100 volunteers offering a variety of support services. "We will build 20 homes that week to the stage of being closed in, which means, roof, walls, windows, doors, exterior insulation and siding are complete," Pereira adds. Professional trades will then add the finishing touches, making the houses ready to be moved into within a few weeks. "I get immense joy out of creating not just a house, but a home for each of these families," says Walter Geddert, Habitat's Winnipeg long time site supervisor. "Together we change lives." Geddert was on site when the Carters first came to Winnipeg to build 18 homes back in 1993, and he is excited to work with them again. With affordable housing being such a dire need in so many communities, in so many countries, it is highly unusual for Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter plan to return to Winnipeg in July for the marathon build. Photo by CNW Carters to join Habitat for Humanity marathon By Sharon Chisvin HABITAT FOR HUMANITY I get immense joy out of creating not just a house, but a home for each of these families... together we change lives." COMMUNITY Building

• Cover