A Neighborhood Transformed
A Charlotte neighborhood honors its roots and spirit of community as a part of the Carter Work Project
“The work has begun, but it’s far from finished.”
Those were the words of former President Jimmy Carter, on site at a Habitat for Humanity build. A tireless supporter for the organization for decades, Carter and his wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, along with more than 104,000 volunteers, have worked to build, renovate, and repair more than 4,000 Habitat for Humanity homes in 14 countries. These builds, known as the Carter Work Project take place in a different community each year, championing Habitat for Humanity’s mission of helping people achieve affordable homeownership.
In 2023, the annual build took place in Charlotte, North Carolina. But before crews broke ground on the 39-home neighborhood, there was a vacant lot waiting and a lot of history to account for.
On the land once sat Plato Price School, which provided an education to African-American students from 1915-1966. It was closed permanently during desegregation, and the building was eventually torn down. The land then sat vacant for decades, until 2019, when the city of Charlotte donated it to Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. That’s when the backhoes began to dig, and Meadows at Plato Price began to take shape.
Laura Belcher, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region says the team spent a lot of time finding ways to represent the history of Plato Price School when designing the look and feel of this neighborhood.
“Even the street names in the neighborhood are intentional. They're named after folks that worked at the school, and so we worked with the neighborhood and with the community to identify how we could continue to honor the legacy,” says Belcher.
Settling In
In the neighborhood, you’ll find 39 new one- and two-story homes along three streets. Each with a different façade and a personality reflected by the “Welcome” signs and plants picked out by their new owners. One of those proudly displaying a “Welcome” sign on her porch is Lapri.
“I’m still in shock that I’m a homeowner. I’ve always dreamed of having a two-story home, and now I do. Every step of the way through Habitat has been destined for me,” she says.
Lapri, like many of her neighbors, went through Habitat’s financial literary program, applied for a home, and, once approved, helped build it with her own hands. She and her daughter Baylie are settling into their new home and new neighborhood.
“Nothing great comes without hard work, so I was here putting in that hard work, day in and day out,” says Lapri.
Lapri and her daughter Baylie are thrilled to be in their brand new home in the new neighborhood of the Meadows at Plato Price. Community Connection
Just a few miles away from The Meadows at Plato Price is the office of Renewal by Andersen of Greater Charlotte. Inside you’ll find an office buzzing with activity as window and door replacement orders come in and teams plan new projects.
Also inside, you’ll find one of its owners with a big heart. When she’s not helping run a successful family-built business, Sharon Sullivan serves as the Vice Chair of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. When she learned about plans for The Meadows at Plato Price, she knew she wanted to help. So, Sullivan helped coordinate the donation and installation of 39 Renewal by Andersen™ Ensemble™ entry doors.
“I knew it was something that stood for what Renewal by Andersen stands for, which is giving back to the community and giving back through our wonderful products,” Sullivan says.
But the connection doesn’t end there. Renewal by Andersen Brand Ambassador Breegan Jane has been involved with Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles for many years and truly believes in its mission.
“My hands have gotten dirty helping build several homes in the L.A. region, and I have seen first-hand the impact of Habitat’s work. The way they help families achieve affordable home ownership is truly life-changing especially since L.A. ranks among the least affordable areas in the U.S. for homeownership,” Jane says.
As an interior designer, Jane spent time designing each Ensemble™ entry door, picking out the look and feel of every door. She knows how important an entry door is to the security and beauty of a home. It’s the first interaction people have with their home, and she wanted it to be memorable.
“I really wanted the doors to feel unique and special to every family. It was fun picking out the different colors and adding the personal touches of glass and other accessories,” says Jane.
Now having seen her designs in person and in homes, Jane says they look stunning. And Sullivan is happy to see all of the homeowners interacting with their new homes—and new doors.
“An entry door is that first point of pride that welcomes you from the curb when you come in, so having these Ensemble™ Entry Doors in their beautiful colors and styles really speaks to that in this neighborhood,” she adds.
A New Chapter
As the final few homes are being completed in the neighborhood, the sounds of construction are gradually being replaced by the sound of doors opening and closing, people stepping out to say hello, and kids running outside to play in yards. The daily hustle and bustle is bringing back a sense of hope in a place that played a huge role in this community’s history.
Lapri and her daughter have settled into their new home and are working to find more decorations, a home they can proudly now call their own.
“It’s just a blessing for me and Baylie to have this home,” says Lapri.
Habitat for Humanity and Renewal by Andersen: Tour Behind the Scenes of the Plato Price Neighborhood
Charlotte, North Carolina, is home to a revitalized neighborhood through Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project where 39 new homes were built. Renewal by Andersen donated Ensemble™ Entry Doors to the project with the help of interior designer and Brand Ambassador Breegan Jane. She visits the neighborhood for the first time to learn more about the community.
