Reflecting on President Jimmy Carter’s Legacy with Catholic Charities of Kansas City- St. Joseph

In his remarkable lifetime of public service, former President Jimmy Carter exemplified the power of collaboration between the nonprofit sector and government. His dedication to serving vulnerable individuals and families and upholding the ideals of faith and community left a lasting impact.

Together with Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), we proudly recall President Carter addressing our Annual Gatherings twice—once as a candidate and later as Commander in Chief. In Kansas City in 1979, he spoke words that continue to inspire:

“You in this room typify, personify the best in America. Your network of social services, the largest in our country, is composed of tens of thousands of Americans united by faith, dedicated to the ideal of serving others, and determined to translate that ideal into action for the benefit of others. You’ve chosen to light a candle and not to curse the darkness, and the flame of compassion lights the road for all of us to follow.”

As the nation prepares to honor his life and legacy, we at Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph reflect on his words and strive to embody the values he championed. President Carter’s flame of compassion will continue to light the road for us all.