BREAKING NEWS: Dawn Stanley Invests $5.6 Million to Turn Historic Clemson Property into Shelter for Homeless Youth in Tennessee.
Dawn Stanley Invests \$5.6 Million to Turn Historic Clemson Property into Shelter for Homeless Youth in Tennessee**
*Clemson, TN – May 19, 2025* — In a landmark act of philanthropy and civic responsibility, entrepreneur and social advocate Dawn Stanley has announced a \$5.6 million investment to convert a historic property in downtown Clemson, Tennessee, into a state-of-the-art shelter and support center for homeless youth. The initiative, hailed by local officials and advocacy groups as transformative, aims to address the growing crisis of youth homelessness across the state.
Stanley, known for her commitment to humanitarian causes and sustainable urban development, purchased the 120-year-old property formerly known as the Marston House, a landmark site rich with history and architectural charm. The three-story brick estate, which once served as a boarding house in the early 1900s, has stood vacant for nearly a decade. Now, under Stanley’s stewardship, it will be reborn as “Haven House,” a multi-service facility offering shelter, education, and counseling to at-risk youth aged 14 to 21.
**A Vision for the Vulnerable**
Speaking at a press conference outside the property on Monday morning, Stanley expressed both urgency and hope.
“Eery night in Tennessee, hundreds of young people sleep on the streets, in cars, or bounce between temporary homes. Many are fleeing abuse, neglect, poverty, or family rejection,” Stanley said. “With Haven House, we aim to provide not just a roof, but a path—toward healing, education, and a future.”
The facility will include emergency shelter accommodations, transitional living spaces, a health and counseling clinic, classrooms, and a vocational training center. Partnerships with local schools, healthcare providers, and job-training organizations are already in the works, with a projected opening date set for early 2026
**A Community Embrace**
The announcement has been met with widespread community support. Clemson Mayor Richard Holtz applauded the initiative as “a long-overdue step toward compassionate urban planning.”
“For decades, this property has symbolized Clemson’s past,” said Holtz. “Now, thanks to Ms. Stanley, it will be a symbol of our future—a future that cares for its most vulnerable residents.”
According to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, more than 10,000 young people across the state experience homelessness each year, with approximately 800 in the greater Clemson area. Experts warn that without intervention, homeless youth are at a higher risk for addiction, incarceration, human trafficking, and long-term poverty.
“It’s a crisis we can no longer ignore,” said Dr. Angela Brooks, Director of Youth Services for the state. “The Haven House project offers a model for what can happen when private citizens step up to support public good.”
**An Innovative Model**
Haven House won’t just be a shelter—it will be a hub of innovation. Stanley has brought in architects and planners specializing in trauma-informed design. Spaces will be open, calming, and secure, with communal areas built to foster trust and community. Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability are also central to the project’s development.
In addition to housing, the center will offer wraparound services including mental health therapy, substance abuse counseling, legal aid, and educational support. A unique feature will be the on-site “Hope Café,” a small restaurant operated by residents in training, designed to teach life and employment skills in a supportive setting.
“We want these young people to leave here empowered, not just sheltered,” Stanley said. “We’re building a foundation for self-sufficiency, one young person at a time.”
**Funding and Future Plans**
The \$5.6 million investment covers the purchase, renovation, staffing, and operational costs for the first two years. Stanley has established the Haven Youth Foundation, a nonprofit that will manage the facility and seek ongoing donations, grants, and partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability.
Several regional and national organizations have already pledged their support, including the United Way of Tennessee, Youth Villages, and Habitat for Humanity, which will assist in restoring parts of the structure while preserving its historic character.
Stanley also hinted at the possibility of future Haven House locations across the state.
“Ifthis works in Clemson—and we believe it will—we’ll be ready to take the model to other cities where youth homelessness is rising,” she said.
**Voices of Experience**
Among those attending the announcement was 19-year-old Malik Jordan, who experienced homelessness in his late teens after aging out of foster care. Now a college student and youth advocate, Jordan praised the project for its focus on dignity and opportunity.
“No kid wants a handout—they want a chance,” he said. “This place is going to give them that.”
**Looking Ahead**
Renovations on the property are expected to begin this summer, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for mid-June. The Haven House team will begin hiring clinical staff, counselors, teachers, and youth coordinators this fall. Once open, the center will operate 24/7 and provide services free of charge to youth in need.
In a time marked by growing awareness of social inequities and housing insecurity, Dawn Stanley’s bold move is more than an investment in brick and mortar—it’s an investment in human potential.
As Stanley concluded her remarks on Monday, she spoke directly to the youth who will one day call Haven House home.
“You matter. Your story isn’t over. And here, you will always have a place.”
