Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter today kicked off a week of working alongside Habitat for Humanity homeowners and hundreds of volunteers in Memphis, Tennessee, to build and repair homes during Habitat's 33rd Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.

"Rosalynn and I are thrilled to lend our hands in Memphis this week, and we look forward to working with Habitat homeowners and volunteers. Their dedication continues to inspire and motivate us each year," said President Carter. "Decent shelter is something we all need to thrive. With the help of volunteers we will create strong, stable homes and communities."

Country music stars and longtime Habitat volunteers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will join the Carters during the week. Brooks and Yearwood have been helping Habitat build and strengthen communities in the U.S. and around the world since 2007.

Hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, volunteers will spend the week helping families build or improve places they can call home through new home construction, neighborhood beautification and home modifications for seniors. Projects include:

- Nineteen new homes in the Bearwater Park area just north of Uptown Memphis.

- Ten neighborhood beautification projects, including painting and landscaping.

- Six aging in place projects to enhance accessibility and mobility for seniors.

"We are grateful to President and Mrs. Carter, Garth and Trisha for working with us this week to help families build the foundation for a better future," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "Their support and commitment to Habitat's mission has helped us make a long-lasting, tangible difference in the lives of every homeowner and volunteer who partners with us to empower communities through shelter."

"It's an incredible honor to have President and Mrs. Carter in Memphis to help us raise awareness and consciousness of the many housing issues faced by families in our community," said Dwayne Spencer, president and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. "We remain dedicated to addressing housing disparities by both our physical actions  pounding nails and raising walls  as well as by serving as a voice for so many who have few options to improve their housing situations."