Seattle, WA In a remarkable act of compassion and civic leadership, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has announced a $7.5 million personal investment to convert a historic estate in the Capitol Hill neighborhood into a long-term shelter for homeless youth. The project, titled “Home Plate Haven,” will provide housing, education support, mental health services, and career counseling for Seattle’s most vulnerable young people.
At just 28 years old, Raleigh known affectionately by fans as “Big Dumper” for his clutch power at the plate—has shown he’s just as impactful off the field. His donation and direct involvement in the project are being widely hailed as one of the most generous philanthropic acts by a professional athlete in Seattle’s recent history.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky,” Raleigh said at Monday’s press conference. “Baseball gave me stability, purpose, and a team I could count on. I want to help create that kind of support system for kids who are facing the hardest moments of their lives.”
The newly dubbed Home Plate Haven will serve up to 40 unhoused youth, ages 12 to 21, offering not just a safe place to sleep, but wraparound services designed to help break the cycle of homelessness. The facility will include individual bedrooms, shared community spaces, and classrooms where residents can continue their education or receive GED prep. A full-time staff of social workers, counselors, and tutors will work with residents to develop personalized pathways toward independence.
The property itself, a 1920s mansion previously used for private events, will undergo a six-month renovation led by a local architectural firm with experience in trauma-informed design. The renovation will preserve the home’s historical charm while making it safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell praised Raleigh’s initiative: “This is the kind of leadership we need—visionary, personal, and committed. Cal Raleigh isn’t just hitting home runs at T-Mobile Park—he’s hitting one for the entire city.”
The project is being developed in partnership with local nonprofit YouthCare, which will operate the facility once it opens in early 2026. YouthCare CEO Tamara Jackson called the donation “transformational” and emphasized the long-term impact it could have.
“For many of our youth, stability can feel like a dream,” Jackson said. “This project gives them more than shelter—it gives them a chance to believe in a future.”
This isn’t Raleigh’s first brush with community service. Since joining the Mariners in 2019, he’s been involved in youth baseball clinics, literacy programs, and mental health initiatives. But this is by far his most ambitious effort to date.
“I’m not doing this for headlines,” Raleigh said. “I’m doing it because these kids deserve the same chance I had—to feel safe, to chase dreams, to find family.”
Home Plate Haven is expected to open its doors in spring 2026, offering hope to a generation in need—and a powerful reminder of what it means to step up at the right moment.
