Breaking News: Rashawn Slater of The Los Angeles chargers club Has Invested $3.6 Million to Transform a House Into a Shelter For Homeless Youth in Los Angeles chargers club After…….
June 21, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA — In a powerful example of using fame and fortune for community good, Rashawn Slater, offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers, has invested $3.6 million of his personal wealth into converting a large residential property into a shelter for homeless youth in the city of Los Angeles. The initiative, named Slater House, is set to open in late 2025 and aims to provide safe housing, education, and mental health support for vulnerable young people.
Slater, a 2021 first-round draft pick and Pro Bowler, made the announcement at a press conference this morning outside the soon-to-be-renovated facility in South Los Angeles. Flanked by civic leaders, Chargers teammates, and nonprofit partners, he described the investment as “a long-term commitment to a city that’s given me everything.”
“Los Angeles has embraced me since the moment I was drafted,” said Slater. “It’s heartbreaking to see how many young people in this city don’t have a place to call home. I wanted to do something real — something that goes beyond the field and impacts lives. Slater House will be a place of refuge, hope, and transformation.”
A Vision Rooted in Experience
Though Slater grew up in a stable environment, he shared that his father, former NBA player Reggie Slater, often emphasized the importance of empathy and service. “My dad told me, ‘Use your blessings to lift others,’ and that stuck with me,” Slater said. “This shelter is more than a building. It’s a mission.”
The new facility will house up to 50 youth aged 14–22, many of whom have aged out of foster care or fled unsafe living conditions. The shelter will provide private sleeping quarters, 24/7 support staff, on-site therapists, academic tutors, job training programs, and legal aid — all in partnership with local organizations such as Covenant House California and LA Youth Network.
Construction and renovation are being managed by BuildBetter LA, a social-impact construction firm specializing in community redevelopment projects. According to a project spokesperson, the home will be environmentally sustainable, ADA-compliant, and equipped with a state-of-the-art security and trauma-informed design.
Support from Chargers Organization
The Los Angeles Chargers organization has voiced strong support for Slater’s efforts. In a statement, team owner Dean Spanos praised the athlete’s leadership: “What Rashawn is doing off the field is as impressive as what he does on it. We’re proud to stand behind him as he steps up to make a lasting difference.”
Several Chargers teammates, including quarterback Justin Herbert and wide receiver Keenan Allen, attended the press event, expressing admiration and pledging further support, both financial and in volunteer hours.
Addressing a Crisis
Los Angeles has long grappled with a severe youth homelessness crisis. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), over 4,500 unaccompanied youth experience homelessness in L.A. County on any given night. Experts say that youth-focused shelters like Slater House can play a critical role in breaking cycles of poverty and trauma.
“It’s vital that the private sector, especially high-profile individuals like Rashawn, take bold steps,” said LAHSA executive director Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum. “This initiative will change lives.”
Looking Ahead
Slater plans to remain directly involved with the shelter’s programming and mentorship opportunities. “This isn’t just a donation — I’m here for the long haul,” he said.
Slater House is scheduled to begin operations by December 2025, just as the NFL regular season winds down — a symbolic reminder that some of the biggest wins come off the field.
