**A Season of Generosity: Charismatic Fundraiser Adam Reynolds Invests \$10.3 Million to Transform Shelter for Homeless Youth in Red Hill, Queensland**
*By Talia Rowe, Community Affairs Correspondent*
RED HILL, QLD — Under the warm sun of an unseasonably clear July morning, something extraordinary unfolded in the heart of Brisbane’s quiet, historic suburb of Red Hill. Adam Reynolds, the beloved rugby league star turned philanthropist and fundraising powerhouse, announced a staggering \$10.3 million personal investment into a long-overlooked shelter for homeless youth—an act that’s already being dubbed the defining gesture of the 2025 season of generosity.
The building in question—Haven House—sits modestly on a shaded street lined with jacaranda trees, its tired brickwork and rusted signage a testament to years of chronic underfunding. For nearly two decades, it’s provided a roof and warm meals to some of Queensland’s most vulnerable teenagers. But despite its dedicated staff and unwavering mission, Haven House had, until now, remained a forgotten outpost in the city’s social services landscape.
That changed overnight.
A Surprise Announcement
With no pomp, no media circus, and only a modest podium flanked by kids from the shelter and volunteers, Reynolds arrived in jeans and a plain black shirt. The crowd that had gathered initially expected a short talk or perhaps a small donation drive. Instead, Reynolds cleared his throat and delivered a heartfelt, off-the-cuff speech that left many in tears.
“I grew up a few kilometers from here,” Reynolds began. “And while I didn’t go through what some of these kids have, I knew mates who did. Some didn’t make it out. Some did. All of them deserved better. This place deserves better.”
He paused, smiled at the director of the shelter, Ellen Sharpe, and added, “So I’m investing \$10.3 million—not donating, investing. Because this isn’t a handout. It’s a vote of belief. I believe in Haven House, in these kids, and in what this place can become.”
### From Shelter to Sanctuary
The funding will go toward a complete transformation of Haven House, which will be renamed *The Reynolds Centre for Youth Empowerment*—though Reynolds insisted on keeping the old name visible on the side of the building “as a nod to where it all started.”
Plans for the transformation are ambitious. The existing dormitories, currently housing up to 30 young people at a time in cramped shared rooms, will be replaced by private, trauma-informed living spaces with personal amenities. A new on-site clinic will provide 24-hour physical and mental health support, and a dedicated wing will host a job readiness and mentorship program in collaboration with local businesses.
A state-of-the-art learning center, complete with a digital library and classrooms, will partner with TAFE Queensland and Brisbane high schools to reengage youth in formal education or vocational training.
Even the outdoor space will see a radical reimagining, with plans for a therapeutic garden, a basketball half-court, and an open community kitchen where residents can cook meals together, take nutrition workshops, and host community dinners.
### “Adam Changed the Game”
For Ellen Sharpe, who has run Haven House on a shoestring budget for 12 years, Reynolds’ intervention is nothing short of miraculous.
“When I first heard the figure, I honestly thought he meant \$10,300,” Sharpe laughed, holding back tears. “But that’s Adam. He doesn’t do anything halfway. He listened to our needs, didn’t try to rewrite the mission—just asked how he could amplify it.”
Reynolds had quietly been visiting Haven House for months before the announcement. Volunteers say he would drop in during late evenings, sometimes sitting with the kids to play cards or talk about rugby, other times sweeping the floor or unloading food donations.
“He made time. You don’t fake that,” said Andre, 19, a current resident of Haven House. “I’ve had a lot of people look at me like I’m a statistic. Adam looked at me like I was a future.”
### From Star Athlete to Social Architect
Reynolds, 34, retired from professional rugby league earlier this year after an illustrious career, including a long stint as captain of the Brisbane Broncos. Known for his leadership on and off the field, Reynolds has gradually built a reputation as a thoughtful and engaged philanthropist. His post-career path surprised many: instead of commentating or coaching, he took courses in nonprofit management and urban planning.
“I didn’t want to just be a celebrity donor,” he told local radio station 4BC shortly after the announcement. “I wanted to build something that lasts. That means knowing what you’re doing—and listening.”
His \$10.3 million investment comes from a mixture of personal savings, brand partnership payouts, and a carefully structured investment portfolio designed to fund youth initiatives long-term. Reynolds has already established the “Try Again Foundation,” a charity focused on housing and education pathways for marginalized youth in regional and urban Queensland. Haven House marks the foundation’s largest single investment to date.
### Community Response
Since the announcement, local businesses have flooded Haven House with offers of support. A nearby café has pledged daily breakfast deliveries; a construction firm volunteered labor for the first phase of renovations. Even students from Brisbane Grammar School have organized a book drive to fill the future library.
Local councillor Miriam Khatri praised the move in a press release: “This is what real leadership looks like. Adam Reynolds is not just transforming a building—he’s transforming how we care for young people.”
### Looking Ahead
Construction on the new Reynolds Centre is expected to begin in September, with phased reopenings planned through mid-2026. Reynolds has promised to remain “hands-on” throughout the process, including mentoring young residents himself.
Asked whether this might be a stepping stone to political office, Reynolds laughed.
“I’m not interested in politics,” he said. “I’m interested in people. I want to build things that help people live better lives. That’s enough for me.”
Back at Haven House, beneath the gum trees and echo of hammering from a makeshift work crew, 17-year-old Kylie summed up the sentiment of many residents.
“When someone like Adam believes in you,” she said, “it kind of makes you believe in yourself, too.”
*For more information on The Try Again Foundation or to donate to
Haven House, visit [www.tryagain.org.au]().*
