A former US President is headed to Indiana next month. But he won’t be speaking – he’ll be building. St. Joseph County’s Habitat for Humanity is hosting a Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Works Project. Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Barb Anguiano reports on how one soon-to-be Habitat homeowner is preparing.

“I’m actually getting a build with Jimmy and Rosalynn, so, it’s going to be an awesome opportunity to be able to be side by side with them and building on our house.”

Cleora Taylor from South Bend says she’s started to practice how to keep her cool in front of cameras, since she’ll get to work on her house with the former president and first lady. But every now and then, her eyes get big and glossy and she has to wipe away a tear. This usually happens when she talks about her kids, or how lucky she is to be a part of Habitat.

She says high rent affected what she’s been able to provide for her children.

“I’m looking forward to not put them in a situation that I was in coming up, having to pay for college, or get student loans, you know, I want them to have different opportunities than I did.”

Taylor giggles when the conversation circles back to the Carters being a part of the build, on her house.

Barb Anguiano: “Have you practiced what you’re going to tell the president?”

Cleora Taylor: “No, what am I gonna…? [Laughs] I definitely been working out twice a day, because I feel it’s going to be super national. I cannot be on TV looking a mess, even though I’m going to have a hard hat on.”

More than 30 homes will be available through St. Joseph Habitat for Humanity in Mishawaka and South Bend this year.