Breaking News: Nebraska Quarterback Dylan Raiola Invests $3.6M to Transform Mansion into Shelter for Homeless Youth
LINCOLN, NE — In an extraordinary display of leadership off the field, Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola has invested $3.6 million of his NIL earnings to convert a historic 12-bedroom mansion in downtown Lincoln into a full-scale shelter and resource center for homeless youth.
The 19-year-old phenom, widely regarded as one of the most promising quarterbacks in college football, announced the initiative Thursday morning at a press conference held on the front steps of the future shelter, formerly known as the Ashbury Estate. Surrounded by local officials, nonprofit leaders, and members of the university community, Raiola described the project as “a calling bigger than football.”
“I’ve been blessed with a platform and resources few people my age have,” Raiola said. “But I know what it feels like to be young and uncertain. If I can help even one kid sleep in a warm bed and dream a little bigger, this is worth every penny.”
The shelter, to be named Ashbury Haven, will feature transitional housing for up to 36 youth ages 13 to 21. The sprawling 10,000-square-foot home will also include mental health counseling rooms, a teaching kitchen, a study lounge with free Wi-Fi, and a fitness room. A team of social workers and volunteer mentors from the University of Nebraska and the local community will staff the facility.
Construction and retrofitting will begin immediately, with Raiola funding all costs upfront through a mix of NIL deals, personal investments, and support from the Raiola Family Foundation. The mansion, built in 1908 and previously listed on the Lincoln Historic Register, had been vacant for nearly a decade.
City Councilwoman Erica Hayes praised Raiola’s bold commitment: “This is unprecedented—not just for Lincoln, but across college athletics. Dylan is setting a new standard for what student-athletes can do when they align passion with purpose.”
According to the Nebraska Youth Crisis Coalition, over 800 minors experience homelessness or housing insecurity annually in Lancaster County. Raiola’s shelter is projected to reduce that number by at least 20% in its first year.
University of Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule called the quarterback’s announcement “the most important victory of the season,” while athletic director Trev Alberts noted, “This is legacy-defining. Dylan’s actions reflect the heart of this program and the strength of his character.”
In partnership with Lincoln-based nonprofit Horizon Youth Alliance, the shelter will offer job training, GED support, and internship opportunities through local businesses. Raiola has also pledged to host quarterly football clinics at the site to engage at-risk youth in sport and mentorship.
When asked if this would distract from his football goals, Raiola smiled. “Helping people is the goal. Football is just how I got here.”
Ashbury Haven is expected to open its doors by February 2026.
