'He's changed so many lives'; Utah woman reflects on personal tie to President Jimmy Carter

KEARNS – People around the world are reflecting on the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away Sunday at the age of 100.

Known for his commitment to humanitarian causes, especially affordable housing, Carter's passing has left a lasting impact on communities everywhere.

A Utah woman is sharing her personal story of how Carter's work changed her life and continues to inspire her.

"The Carter Work Projects, we've built thousands of homes and we had over 108,000 volunteers that have participated over the years," said Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area CEO Carin Crowe.

Crowe said the nonprofit global organization, which helps low- to moderate-income families build and own their homes, benefitted immensely from Carter's hands-on involvement over the years.

"Even on the job sites, he was never one to stand around," she said. "If he saw someone standing around, he could find something for them to do."

The "Field of Dreams" neighborhood in Salt Lake County is one of many areas transformed by Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area in Davis, Tooele and Salt Lake counties. What was once a dilapidated baseball field has now become the home to 20 new houses, giving families the opportunity for a fresh start.

"We have 20 homes that individuals have worked very hard to earn their space to purchase these homes," Crowe said. "They go through an application process, and they do 225 hours of sweat equity. And then they get a mortgage, a 30-year mortgage."

Crowe emphasized Carter's role in raising awareness of the organization's mission.

"It was his involvement that really elevated Habitat for Humanity. We were a small organization up to that point," Crowe said.

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As Crowe stood inside one of the recently completed, brand-new homes in the Kearns development, she reflected on a personal tie she has to the former president.

"When I was small, I saw this injustice," Crowe said. "I wrote a petition and I went around the neighborhood and through my school and through the high schools, and we had thousands of signatures."

She sent it to the White House and received a response she would never forget.

"I received a letter from the president of the United States that said 'That it will be children like you that will make a difference in our world,' and it was signed, President Jimmy Carter," Crowe said.

She said it had a far-reaching impact.

"That letter changed what I wanted to do in my life, and so I went on to get a master's in social work, and here I am today," Crowe said. "He has no idea the far-reaching impact that he had all the way down to an 8-year-old girl, and the numbers of families and children that have homes and stability because of him."

Now, as an adult, she still carries Carter's message of compassion and commitment, especially in her work with Habitat for Humanity.

"He was steadfast in his belief that everyone deserved a safe place to live," Crowe said.

In honor of Carter's contributions, the Greater Salt Lake Habitat for Humanity announced the launch of the Jimmy Carter Legacy Fund. The fund will support continued efforts to help families secure stable housing. The organization is also encouraging people to get involved through donations* and volunteering.

In a final reflection on Carter's impact, Crowe said, "He was an amazing human. And his loss is profound."

*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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