**BREAKING NEWS: Jaylen Wells of the Memphis Grizzlies Invests \$5.2 Million to Create Shelter for Homeless Youth in Memphis**
*Memphis, TN — May 5, 2025*
In a stunning and heartfelt gesture of community commitment, Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells announced today that he is investing \$5.2 million of his own money to establish a state-of-the-art shelter and support center for homeless youth in the heart of Memphis. The project, dubbed “Wellspring Haven,” is set to break ground this summer and is expected to be completed by late 2026.
Wells, 24, made the announcement during a press conference at FedExForum, flanked by city officials, youth advocates, and his teammates. With emotion in his voice, he shared how personal the initiative is to him, revealing for the first time that he experienced housing insecurity during parts of his teenage years.
“This isn’t just a donation,” Wells said. “This is a promise. A promise that no kid in this city has to go through what I went through alone. We can’t change where we start, but we can change where we go.”
**A Vision for Change**
Wellspring Haven will be located in South Memphis, occupying a 3.5-acre lot that once housed a shuttered middle school. The new facility will include emergency housing for up to 75 youth ages 12–21, as well as long-term transitional apartments, a trauma-informed counseling center, educational tutoring spaces, job training programs, and even a small basketball gym.
Wells is working in collaboration with local nonprofit “Roots & Wings,” which has served Memphis’ homeless and at-risk youth for over a decade. The organization will operate the facility once construction is complete. Executive Director Maria Jenkins praised Wells’ commitment and vision.
“We’ve had celebrities offer donations before, but Jaylen didn’t just write a check,” Jenkins said. “He came to our shelters. He talked to the kids. He listened. This investment is about dignity, safety, and hope.”
**Community Reaction**
The announcement has drawn praise from across the city, with Mayor LaTasha Greene calling the project “one of the most impactful acts of civic generosity Memphis has ever seen.” Social media lit up within minutes of the announcement, with fans, athletes, and celebrities applauding Wells for using his platform to tackle a critical social issue.
Even NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement: “Jaylen Wells exemplifies the best of what it means to be an NBA player—leadership, empathy, and a commitment to using his success to lift others.”
**Looking Forward**
Construction on Wellspring Haven is scheduled to begin in August, with Memphis-based builders and architects leading the project to ensure local jobs are part of the investment. Wells plans to be personally involved throughout the process and has hinted at incorporating mentorship and athletic clinics once the facility is open.
As the Grizzlies chase a playoff spot, Wells’ off-court legacy may already be cemented in Memphis.
“This city gave me a chance,” he said, closing his remarks. “Now it’s my turn to give back.”
Would you like a visual mock-up of the shelter’s design or logo?
