Dallas/Fort Worth Selected As Host Of Habitat For Humanity's 31st Annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

DALLAS, Feb. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, Trinity Habitat for Humanity, the City of Dallas and the City of Fort Worth announced today that the 31^st annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will take place in North Texas the week of Oct. 5-11, 2014. Pioneer Natural Resources, a large independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in North Texas, was also announced as the presenting event sponsor and presented Habitat for Humanity with a $1 million check.

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"We've donated our time and our resources to Habitat since 2006 and we are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 31^st Carter Work Project," said Tim Dove, President and COO of Pioneer Natural Resources. "Our employees have a heart for Habitat's mission. I want to challenge other North Texas business leaders to help transform two neighborhoods in Dallas and Fort Worth that truly need our help. Through this event, we can positively impact hundreds of families in our area."

Throughout the week of October 5-11, thousands of volunteers from around the world will join President and Mrs. Carter to help build or repair more than 100 homes in Dallas and Fort Worth. This year's Carter Work Project also coincides with Habitat's observance of World Habitat Day. Held on the first Monday of every October, the U.N.-designated World Habitat Day calls attention to the need for adequate housing for everyone by raising awareness and mobilizing people to take action in response to the need for better shelter around the world.

"On behalf of the City of Dallas, we are honored to be hosting this high-profile event along with the City of Fort Worth," said Mike Rawlings, Mayor of Dallas. "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have been improving communities across the United States and around the world. We know this project will serve as a catalyst to positive change in a part of our city that has been neglected for too long."

"Fort Worth is thrilled to have President and Mrs. Carter along with countless volunteers come build and repair homes in our city," said Betsy Price, Mayor of Fort Worth. "The Carter Work Project not only helps build and repair homes, but also helps raise awareness about the need for decent and affordable housing in our area. We can't wait to see how this project will impact our great city and the entire North Texas region."

For three decades, Habitat's Carter Work Project has engaged volunteers to improve communities across the United States and around the world. In Dallas, Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity will build 20 new homes and repair 20 existing homes in the East Oak Cliff neighborhood, located near the Veterans Affairs Hospital. In Fort Worth, Trinity Habitat will build 15 new homes in the Central Meadowbrook neighborhood, and will paint 50 existing homes in partnership with the City of Fort Worth's "Cowtown Brush Up Program."

"For more than 30 years, Habitat has been extremely blessed to count President and Mrs. Carter as two of our staunchest supporters as they've helped us raise awareness of the need for adequate shelter and improved communities around the globe," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International. "Their dedication has motivated entire generations of people to do more to make the world a better place for everyone, and we are privileged to once again partner with them for the 31st Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project."

To find out how to sign up to be a construction leader or volunteer for the Carter Work Project, or to learn how to become a sponsor, please visit www.cwpdallasfortworth.org.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.

About Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity
Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Dallas Habitat believes that hard working individuals and families be provided the opportunity to live in thriving neighborhoods where hopes and dreams are realized for generations to come because poverty housing is socially, politically and spiritually unacceptable. Since 1986, Dallas Habitat has served more than 1,200 low-income families using affordable homeownership as an anchor for hope, change, and stabilization, resulting in an investment of approximately $139 million in more than 25 neighborhoods for families that pay more than $1.7 million annually in property taxes in Dallas County. For more information, visit www.dallas-habitat.org.

About Trinity Habitat for Humanity
Trinity Habitat for Humanity revitalizes neighborhoods by building quality, affordable homes and rehabbing existing homes with volunteer labor and donations of money and materials. Sponsors and donors underwrite construction costs of Habitat for Humanity homes. Partner families, as Habitat for Humanity homeowners are known, invest "sweat equity" in the construction of their homes or others' houses, working side by side with volunteers. Partner families make affordable monthly payments on a no-interest mortgage held by Trinity Habitat. Trinity Habitat for Humanity has built 508 new homes and rehabbed 786 existing homes in Tarrant, Johnson, Parker and Wise counties since 1989. For more information, visit www.trinityhabitat.org.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International