MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES USA
BUILD HOUSES IN ROSEWOOD
With great enthusiasm, over 100 American Baptist volunteers from across the United States are in Baton Rouge helping us build a total of 11 houses over the next few weeks. These houses are a part of the Carter Work Project and our located in our own Habitat subdivison, Rosewood. Follow their building adventures by clicking here.  

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge will take part in the 25th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.  Habitat will build 18 houses in conjunction with the Project.  The Carter Work Project will begin Saturday, May 12 and run through Satuday, May 17.

For the 25th year, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will call attention to both the need for affordable housing and Habitat for Humanity’s work to help low-income families realize the goal of homeownership. This year’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Project will be held on the Gulf Coast, May 11-16.

“While great strides have been made in the recovery efforts since hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the work is far from over,” said President Carter. “Rosalynn and I are pleased to be returning to the Gulf Coast to work with Habitat for Humanity. Along with the thousands of wonderful volunteers, Rosalynn and I look forward to creating not only new houses, but new awareness about the dire need for affordable housing in the Gulf.”
Before Hurricane Katrina, there were 59,000 families in need of affordable housing in the Greater Baton Rouge area. Add to that number 12,000 more families since the hurricanes of 2005 and the need is overwhelming.

In 2005, HFHGBR built 18 homes. In response to the hurricanes in 2006, the affiliate built 46 homes – 20 for local families and 26 for families displaced by the hurricanes. HFHGBR built 26 in 2007 with plans to build 35 in 2008 – half of those for hurricane evacuees.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, we’ll continue to focus on the long-term recovery efforts throughout the Gulf Coast region,” said Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford. “With the help of President and Mrs. Carter and the thousands of devoted volunteers who will join them, we’ll not only help further rebuild these communities by providing simple, decent, affordable housing, but we’ll also help restore hope and stability in the lives of families so severely impacted by the hurricanes.”

In 2008, the annual, week-long event was renamed the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project to recognize the former first lady’s years of dedicated service to help raise awareness and provide simple, decent and affordable housing in partnership with families in need.

“Communities throughout the Gulf Coast are still rebuilding, and the opportunity to provide housing for 18 deserving families as well as recognize the wonderful work done by our former President and First Lady is something we here at Habitat do not take lightly,” said Vera Clay, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge.

Habitat Calendar [click on underlined titles for details]

Fri Jul 11 7:45 am —	Construction in Rosewood
Sat Jul 12 7:45 am —	Construction in Rosewood
Tue Jul 15 —	Board Meeting
Fri Jul 18 7:45 am —	Construction in Rosewood
Sat Jul 19 7:45 am —	Construction in Rosewood
Fri Jul 25 7:45 am —	Construction in Rosewood
Sat Jul 26 7:45 am —	Construction in Rosewood
There are additional events in the next 30 days. Click Here to go to the calendar...