In a remarkable act of compassion and leadership off the ice, Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner has invested $7.6 million of his own funds to convert multiple abandoned properties across Ontario into safe shelters for homeless youth. The initiative, launched in partnership with his Marner Assist Foundation, aims to provide housing, counseling, and educational support to vulnerable teens facing life on the streets.
Marner, 27, has long been an advocate for mental health and youth support, but this bold investment represents his most ambitious philanthropic effort to date. “This is about more than just a roof — it’s about dignity, opportunity, and a second chance,” Marner said in a press release. “Every kid deserves a safe place to sleep and someone who believes in them.”
The first phase of the project will see properties in Toronto, Hamilton, and Oshawa renovated into fully functioning youth centers, with community partnerships helping to staff and maintain the facilities. Local officials and advocacy groups have praised the effort as “game-changing.”
While Marner continues to shine on the ice, it’s clear his biggest assist may come far beyond the boards — in building hope, one shelter at a time.