And Carter Work Project Officially Begins...
Welcome to Our Home
Today, we are honored to welcome volunteers, partners, supporters, and readers from near and far as we begin something extraordinary. Whether you are building on site, cheering from home, or following along through Porch Paper, we are grateful you are here.
Atlanta is a city with deep roots and unmistakable rhythm. A city shaped by movement, music, memory, resilience, and a spirit that knows how to show up. Throughout this week, each day of the Carter Work Project will reflect the culture that gives Atlanta its heartbeat -- from civil rights legacy and neighborhood pride to entrepreneurship, sports, music, and the soul that ties it all together. Through these daily themes, we hope you will experience Atlanta as the city that gives this moment even more meaning.
This is also an extraordinary moment for the 24 homeowners at the heart of this week. As they witness hundreds of volunteers pour into Mercedes-Benz Stadium to kick off what will become a memorable build week, they are seeing the beginning of a new chapter in their own lives. And this chapter will be filled with people showing up to support them.
For those who cannot build in person, by reading, sharing, amplifying, and staying connected to this work, you are helping carry the story of Langston Park far beyond the build site. That matters because the 24 homes we build this week are only the beginning of our Langston Park journey together. There will be many more opportunities to partner with Atlanta Habitat in the months ahead.
In the meantime, thank you for following along with us as we begin this herculean effort. We are glad to have you with us, and proud to share both the spirit of Atlanta and the stories of the families who are building their future here.
Ashley Is Carrying a Legacy Forward
The journey began long before Ashley completed an application. It began in a Habitat home.
As a child, Ashley lived in the home her mother built through Atlanta Habitat. At the time, she did not fully understand what Habitat was or all that her mother had done to make that home possible. She simply knew that her mother had helped build it. Years later, after witnessing her cousin also purchase a home through Atlanta Habitat and move into Browns Mill Village, Ashley began to see the program's impact for herself.
When she joined the program, her family immediately understood the significance of the moment.
Her family shared memories, advice, and the kind of encouragement that only comes from people who know exactly what the journey feels like. For Ashley, that support has made this experience feel even more meaningful. She is not entering something unfamiliar alone, but carrying forward something her family has already lived.
That sense of legacy is matched by a spirit of possibility. She lights up most when talking about the chance to actually build, to pick up a hammer for the first time, and to be part of creating not only her own home, but the homes around her too.
"I get to build my house," she said, with the kind of wonder that makes clear this still feels a little surreal.
Ashley is also building in other ways. Now in her third year as a teacher, she says she found her way into education almost unexpectedly. After studying business in college, she was unsure of her next step until a close friend introduced her to a teaching program that allowed her to earn her master's degree while working. Three years later, Ashley says she can see herself staying in education for the long term because of one simple reason: the kids. She loves them, and that love has given shape to a career she now hopes will eventually lead to becoming a principal. She is now back in school pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership. She wants to become the kind of school leader who knows students well, advocates for teachers, and stays connected to the people she serves.
That same thoughtfulness shows up in the way she talks about homeownership too.
This will be her first home, and her first time truly living independently. That brings both excitement and nerves. But even in that newness, Ashley says she feels comforted by what Langston Park represents: a neighborhood where homeowners are learning together, preparing together, and entering this next chapter with a shared understanding of what it means to be a good neighbor.
She was drawn to Langston Park because she wanted to live in a place where people could have their own space while still feeling connected to those around them. Building a future that holds both independence and connection is very important to her. A home of her own, but not apart from the people who helped her get there. A new chapter, but one deeply tied to the story that came before it.
