A legacy of community resilience, remembering former president Jimmy Carter

The world recently lost a great leader and champion for people everywhere. After reaching the age of 100 years old, former president Jimmy Carter died on December 29, 2024. While much of the news coverage highlights Carter’s accomplishments as the 39th president of the United States, it’s important we also remember his contributions as an advocate for people across the world with a steadfast focus on addressing causes of poverty and systemic racism.

Carter devoted more than four decades following his presidency as a champion for community resilience. He did more than simply offer assistance, he drove catalytic changes to help people live sustainably better and healthier lives and, in turn, he helped build stronger communities.

One example of this is Carter’s involvement with Habitat for Humanity. Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, gave countless hours in support building affordable homes for people across the United States. Habitat helps provide access to home ownership for those who might not otherwise qualify for home loans. In this example, Carter helped build community resilience by investing in affordable homes in areas which were often disinvested in or gentrified.

In 1982, the Carter Center was founded in Atlanta, Georgia. President Carter founded the center as a non governmental and nonprofit organization focused on advancing human rights and alleviating human suffering. One of the major accomplishments of the Carter Center was work with the World Health Organization to eliminate dracunculiasis (or Guinea worm disease). Eradication of this tropical disease has helped improve the health and resilience of countries across Asia and Africa.

Carter’s work was recognized by his appointment to Honorary Chair of the World Justice Project, The Hoover Medal, which recognizes engineers who have supported global causes, and in 2002, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize in the field of human rights.

You can help drive community resilience and honor former President Carter’s legacy with ARCC.

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