“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou

On a lovely June evening, hundreds gathered for the Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area Annual Gala, not simply to dress in elegance or bid on silent auction treasures, but to embody a shared dream: that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

The event sparkled, yes—with lights, music, and laughter—but beneath the surface, something more enduring was unfolding. Each speech, each paddle raise, each moment of connection wove together a deeper truth: this was not a celebration of charity, but of solidarity.

Philanthropy as Collective Resistance

In a housing market increasingly defined by exclusion, displacement, and inequity, this gala stood as a radical act of community care. What might appear, on its surface, as a night of glamour was, in reality, a gathering of resistance—one that challenged the assumption that housing is a privilege, rather than a right.

By raising record-breaking funds, attendees didn’t just support Habitat’s mission; they disrupted a narrative. They invested in a future where working families, single parents, and aging community members are not priced out of stability, but welcomed into it.

Keynote Highlight: Yolanda’s Story of Strength

Among the most moving moments of the evening was the keynote address, given not by a single voice, but by three—Yolanda, Vanessa, and Sonia, a mother and her daughters, standing together in radiant strength.

Years ago, Yolanda made the life-altering decision to leave an abusive relationship and apply for a Habitat home. That home was more than shelter—it was the threshold of healing. It marked the beginning of a slow, often painful, yet resilient journey back to self-worth, stability, and dignity.

Though Vanessa had already left home by the time Yolanda received her keys, Sonia remained. Both daughters bore witness to the quiet revolution their mother undertook. That home, they shared, gave their family more than safety—it gave them a framework to reimagine what was possible.

Today, Vanessa is a successful attorney and homeowner. Sonia holds a high-ranking position in the military. Yolanda, ever steady, remains the heart of it all—proof that with safety, love, and support, what violence tried to destroy can be rebuilt stronger.

“This wasn’t just a house,” Sonia said. “It was the start of everything.” “It gave us more than shelter,” Vanessa added. “It gave us permission to imagine a better life.”

Together, they reminded us why Habitat builds—not just structures, but futures. 

Honoring Those Who Build Beyond the Blueprint

The gala also paid tribute to two individuals and organizations who model what it means to build community with purpose and persistence.

Lyn Felton, recipient of the Jimmy Carter Legacy Award, exemplifies service rooted in quiet leadership. Born on a dairy farm in upstate New York, Lyn spent his career in HVAC engineering and sales before retiring in Salt Lake City in 2007. But retirement didn’t mean rest. A tireless advocate and volunteer, Lyn continues to lend his energy to Habitat’s development work. Whether he's on the tennis court or the job site, his dedication echoes the Carter ethos: that leadership is best shown in service.

Bhava Title Insurance, led by founder Brooke Adair, received the Community Builder Award for its unwavering partnership with Habitat and commitment to ethical business. After nearly two decades in the real estate industry, Brooke envisioned a boutique, client-centered title agency grounded in care, precision, and purpose. Today, Bhava is not only a top-producing firm but also a values-driven force for housing justice. Their belief—that communities are built not just through property, but through people—resonated throughout the evening.

The Architecture of Hope

To call the gala a success would be accurate—but also incomplete. What truly made the night extraordinary wasn’t the amount raised (though it broke records), but the architecture of hope we constructed together. An architecture made of stories, solidarity, and shared conviction that homes should be healing spaces, not luxuries.

It’s easy to grow numb in the face of systemic injustice. But this night reminded us that change begins in rooms like these—with people who choose action over apathy, compassion over convenience.

What Comes Next

If you joined us—thank you. You helped lay the next bricks in a more equitable Salt Lake. If you missed the gala, you haven’t missed the movement. Whether you give, volunteer, or simply share this mission, you are part of the build.

When you picture Jimmy Carter, images of a peanut farmer turned president might spring to mind, or perhaps his Nobel-winning dedication to peace and human rights. But here’s the twist: Carter’s most transformative chapter began after his White House days, not in grand halls of power, but on construction sites with a hammer in hand. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, Carter didn’t just build houses—he built hope, futures, and a legacy of compassion that reshaped countless lives.

The impact of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter on Habitat for Humanity was vital to our success. Today, we join the world in mourning the death of Mr. Carter, who has been on hospice care since February 2023.  He was preceded by Mrs. Carter, who died on November 19, 2023.  Read Habitat for Humanity International's tribute to the Carters here. 

Habitat for Humanity International has created a memory book, and we encourage you to share your remembrance. 

“I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need. What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired and wept.”

– President Jimmy Carter

The Carters' Impact

After leaving the White House, the Carters sought out meaningful ways to continue their commitment to social justice and basic human rights. They first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia, near their home of Plains, in March 1984. Later that same year, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. That trip marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project (later renamed the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project). Annually until 2019, the Carters volunteered with Habitat to build or improve houses alongside homeowners in communities across the United States and around the world. President Carter also served as a member of the organization’s board of directors from 1984-1987.   

Throughout his tenure as head of state and in the years following, President Carter never wavered from his commitment to advancing peace, health, and human rights. Since 1984, the Carters have traveled 167,279 miles to build, repair, and rehabilitate 4,417 houses in 14 countries, working alongside 106,100 volunteers. Their final project took place in 2019, building 21 homes in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Carters and their example have rallied thousands of volunteers, supporters, and celebrities to take part in our mission, helping Habitat for Humanity become internationally recognized for our work in building decent and affordable housing. They’ve touched the lives of tens of thousands of Habitat homeowners and volunteers and inspired millions across the globe. 

Learn more about the Carters' work on Habitat for Humanity's website.

Opening Doors

Locally, we created Opening Doors, an interactive tribute to the Carter's commitment to Habitat for Humanity and affordable housing. The project started out with two plain white doors, symbolizing how the Carters opened doors to brighter futures for thousands of low-income families over nearly four decades. The doors were posted at the Utah Capitol building after Mrs. Carter's death, thus beginning their transformation to art began as members of the public signed their names and wrote personal messages.    

Opening Doors will be on display at various locations in Salt Lake through February. Check back for updates. 

Our name has changed as we welcome the residents of Davis County to our service area!