In an announcement that has sent shockwaves across social media, Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu has revealed plans to invest $20 million of his own money to build a housing community he’s calling a “paradise” for the homeless in New York City.
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The 24-year-old Venezuelan rising star made the declaration via a heartfelt video on his official Instagram and X accounts, where he spoke candidly about the growing homelessness crisis and his desire to create real change beyond baseball.
“I’ve seen too many people walking the streets like ghosts — invisible to the world,” Abreu said. “They deserve more than pity. They deserve love, dignity, and a real place to call home.”
Abreu’s planned project, currently titled “El Paraíso”, aims to provide safe, long-term housing, mental health services, job and language training, community gardens, and even youth mentorship programs. His vision: not just to shelter people, but to help them rebuild their lives with hope and purpose.
Though Abreu plays in Boston, he explained his decision to base the project in New York was intentional.
“New York is a symbol. If we can plant compassion there — in one of the busiest, hardest cities in the world — we can inspire something much bigger.”
The announcement quickly went viral, with fans, fellow players, and activists flooding his comment sections with praise. Within hours, hashtags like #ElParaisoProject and #WilyerWithLove began trending across platforms.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora commented,
“What Wilyer’s doing goes beyond the game. He’s becoming the kind of man this world needs more of.”
New York City officials have already expressed interest in working with Abreu to secure land and fast-track necessary approvals. He says he’s hiring both U.S. and Venezuelan architects and community advisors to make sure the space is culturally inclusive, sustainable, and scalable.
“This is just the beginning,” Abreu said. “I don’t want this to be the only ‘paradise.’ I want this to be the first of many.”
Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with the first residents projected to move in by 2028.
