Breaking News Story:
Los Angeles Chargers Super Star Najee Harris Invests $10 Million to Turn Mansion into Shelter for Homeless Youths in L.A.
Los Angeles, CA — In a powerful act of compassion and community leadership, Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris has made headlines off the field with a stunning $10 million personal investment to convert a historic Los Angeles mansion into a state-of-the-art shelter and resource center for homeless youths.
The announcement was made during a press conference held outside the 1920s-era estate located in South Los Angeles, which Harris recently purchased through a non-profit organization he founded, Second Chance Futures. The new shelter, named The Anchor House, is expected to provide housing, mental health services, education support, job training, and legal assistance for up to 50 young people at a time.
From Struggle to Support
Najee Harris, who joined the Chargers in 2024 after three standout seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is no stranger to hardship. Raised in the Bay Area, Harris and his family once lived in a homeless shelter themselves — a fact he has never hidden and often speaks about with humility.
“This is personal for me,” Harris said, his voice steady but emotional. “I know what it’s like to sleep on a cot and wonder where your next meal is coming from. I know the fear, the uncertainty — and I also know what it means when someone believes in you. This house isn’t just a shelter. It’s a home, a launchpad, and a promise that these kids aren’t forgotten.”
A Vision Beyond Football
The project is being developed in partnership with Los Angeles-based housing nonprofits and the city’s Department of Youth Development. The estate — once a luxury private residence — will be fully renovated by late 2025, including dorm-style bedrooms, a kitchen and dining area, therapy and counseling rooms, classrooms, and an outdoor garden and recreation space.
Mayor Karen Bass praised Harris’s commitment, saying, “Najee isn’t just investing his money — he’s investing his heart, his story, and his vision. At a time when youth homelessness is at crisis levels in L.A., The Anchor House offers hope and dignity. We need more leaders like him.”
Community Reactions and Future Plans
Reactions across social media have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans, fellow athletes, and celebrities applauding Harris’s gesture. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the project “a model of what it means to use your platform for good.”
According to Harris’s foundation, The Anchor House is just the beginning. Plans are already underway to launch similar centers in other NFL cities with high rates of youth homelessness, including Chicago and Miami.
“I’m blessed to play football,” Harris said, “but I was called to do more than just run the ball. If I can help even one kid rewrite their future, every dollar, every hour — it’s worth it.”
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Najee Harris: From Homeless Shelter to NFL Stardom
Youth Homelessness in L.A.: Why the Numbers Keep Rising
The NFL’s Growing Wave of Philanthropic Players
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