BREAKING: Sam Horn Invests $3.3 Million to Transform Historic Home into Safe Haven for Homeless Youth in Maine…………

BREAKING: Sam Horn Invests $3.3 Million to Transform Historic Home into Safe Haven for Homeless Youth in Maine

Portland, Maine – April 22, 2025

In a powerful display of philanthropy and community commitment, former Major League Baseball pitcher Sam Horn has pledged $3.3 million to convert a historic home in Portland, Maine, into a sanctuary for homeless and at-risk youth. The initiative, announced Monday morning, marks a transformative moment for the city’s fight against youth homelessness and shines a spotlight on how private individuals can make a profound difference in public welfare.

The three-story Victorian mansion, built in 1891 and located in the heart of Portland’s historic West End, will undergo extensive renovations over the next year. Once completed, the home will serve as a 24-hour transitional living facility for up to 20 young people at a time, providing housing, meals, mental health support, educational opportunities, and job training programs.

Sam Horn, best known for his career with the Boston Red Sox and later as a sports commentator, has long been an advocate for youth development. However, this project is his most ambitious undertaking to date.

“I’ve always believed that every young person deserves a safe place to call home—a place where they’re not just surviving, but growing, healing, and preparing for a future they can be proud of,” Horn said during a press conference held outside the property. “This isn’t about charity. This is about investing in our future.”

The facility, named The Horn Haven, will be operated by Maine-based nonprofit Safe Steps Forward, which specializes in crisis intervention and long-term support for homeless youth and victims of family displacement. Executive Director Maria Ellis praised Horn’s commitment, calling it “a life-saving gift for countless youth who have fallen through the cracks.”

“Homelessness among youth in Maine is a quiet epidemic,” Ellis explained. “Many of these kids are fleeing unsafe homes, aging out of foster care, or struggling with mental health issues without any support system. The Horn Haven will give them stability, safety, and—most importantly—hope.”

According to the Maine State Housing Authority, more than 2,500 youth in the state experience some form of homelessness each year, with numbers steadily rising since the pandemic. Portland, while known for its progressive social services, has been overwhelmed by demand and limited resources. Advocates have been sounding the alarm for years.

Horn, who now lives part-time in Maine, said the idea for the project began after a conversation with a local teen who had been living in his car for months.

“He was bright, ambitious, and articulate. But the system had failed him,” Horn recalled. “He said something that stuck with me: ‘If I had just one person who believed in me and gave me a place to sleep, everything would be different.’ That was the moment I knew I had to do something.”

The $3.3 million investment will cover the purchase of the historic property, full renovations to meet code and accessibility standards, and operating costs for the first three years. Renovations will begin in May, with doors expected to open by spring 2026.

In addition to bedrooms and common living spaces, The Horn Haven will feature on-site counseling offices, a kitchen staffed by nutritionists, a tech lab for online learning, and a creative arts studio. The design aims to be trauma-informed, prioritizing safety, comfort, and empowerment.

Local leaders have applauded Horn’s initiative. Portland Mayor Kate Snyder called the project “a shining example of compassionate leadership” and pledged city support through zoning, infrastructure, and workforce assistance.

“This is more than a housing solution. It’s a community vision coming to life,” Snyder said.

The project has also attracted national attention, with several celebrity athletes expressing interest in contributing or replicating the model in their own communities. Horn, however, insists that this isn’t about fame or headlines.

“This isn’t a one-off project—it’s a movement,” he said. “I’m challenging other athletes, business leaders, and everyday people: if you’ve got the means, use them to uplift others. We can change lives if we start at the ground level.”

While some critics have raised concerns about long-term sustainability and the potential impact on the surrounding neighborhood, Safe Steps Forward emphasized their commitment to transparency and community integration. They plan to host quarterly open houses, establish a neighborhood advisory board, and publish annual impact reports.

For the youth who will soon walk through the doors of The Horn Haven, the message is clear: they are not invisible, and they are not alone.

“This will be a place of second chances,” Ellis said. “A place where young people can rewrite their stories and know they matter.”

As the sun set behind the old Victorian home Monday evening, workers began measuring the windows and mapping out the renovation plan. The building, once a symbol of Portland’s storied past, is now poised to become a beacon of its future—a place where hope lives, thanks to the heart and vision of one man who refused to look away.