President Carter Celebrates 20 Years of Caring with Community Renewal

On October 30, 2014, former President Jimmy Carter visited the Shreveport-Bossier area in honor of Community Renewal’s 20th anniversary. He toured area neighborhoods: Highland, Allendale, and Barksdale Annex, three of the five neighborhoods where CRI has Friendship Houses. In Highland, President Carter met the Yellow House interns and learned more about this growing young-adult ministry. In Allendale, President Carter toured the Fuller Center’s newest build on Alston Street. In Barksdale, President Carter mingled with CRI staff and heard first hand accounts of how the neighborhood has changed since Community Renewal built two Friendship Houses from residents of the Barksdale Annex neighborhood. President Carter’s next stop was Bossier Parish Community College for a VIP event where the focus was shifted from a look back over the past 20 years to the future with the Center for Community Renewal. The special day ended at the Municipal Auditorium where Community Renewal celebrated 20 years of caring. Many of CRI’s friends and partners graced the stage with President Carter. Performances by the Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX), the Shreveport Community Church Gospel Singers, and the Centenary Choir kept the evening lively. The evening was filled with memorable moments (Donnie Simpson’s selfie with President Carter), performances, and speeches. President Jimmy Carter declared “this will be a day that I will never forget.” His inspiring words ignited the room and prepared guests for the bright future of Community Renewal.