"We have never seen a state or country come together as complete as this state has this past week, so there’s something special about Michigan." —Former President Jimmy Carter, Detroit, June 22, 2005—

Michigan played host to the 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project during the week of June 19-24. More than 80 MDOC employees volunteered to work directly on a Detroit or Benton Harbor build site or assist with the delivery of building products or landscape orders.

Director Patricia Caruso joined the staff in Detroit to help deliver some of the100 rocking horses made by DOC inmates from scrap lumber and materials. The toys were given to families with children under six years old.

"It was a tremendous experience," said Director Caruso. "We had many more corrections staff volunteers than we had openings for. I know many of them are now volunteering through their local Habitat chapters."

Benton Harbor crews constructed 24 houses during the week, while the Detroit group completed 30 homes. A total of 61 additional Habitat affiliates in Michigan worked on houses in their local communities. Ten of those were in the Upper Peninsula.

The 20,000 statewide volunteers came from all walks of life to contribute their time and talents to the goal of safe, decent and affordable housing. Former President Carter and Mrs. Carter worked in Detroit and Benton Harbor, while a former Miss America volunteered in Benton Harbor. Governor Jennifer Granholm managed to work at sites in both cities as well.

The culmination of the project came on June 24, when 232 homes in Michigan and six in Windsor Ontario were dedicated. Families will move into these 238 homes by July 24.

The Prison Build Program was instrumental in the construction of the Habitat houses. Prison Build panelized walls were used in 178 of the homes. Kitchen cabinets, trim, sheds and horticulture products also came from the program.

"No other correctional system in the country performed as well and accomplished so much for the Jimmy Carter Work Project as staff and inmates at the MDOC," said Mike Green, Prison Build Program administrator.

The Prison Build Program educates and provides hands-on training to inmates in the building trades and horticulture industries and has been assisting with Habitat for Humanity built homes since 1999. The inmates construct walls, cabinets, trim and other housing components; build entire homes; design and create interior products; and devise landscape plans and provide the needed horticulture products.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity Michigan visit their Web site at http://www.habitatmichigan.org.

Michigan Department of Corrections FYI 072105