CUBS CATCHER BUILDS FREE VOCATIONAL CENTER, RE-PURCHASES CHILDHOOD HOME
CHICAGO, IL—Amid a league where young stars often make headlines for extravagant luxury purchases, Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya has made a deeply human and humble investment that has moved fans across the country. Instead of buying supercars or investing in mansions, the 26-year-old quietly spent a reported $200,000 to fund two projects in his native Chitré, Herrera, Panama, that are designed to lift his community and preserve his family’s history.
The news, initially shared by Panamanian community leaders and later confirmed by Amaya’s close associates, revealed the golden heart behind the Cubs’ rising star.
THE FREE TRAINING CENTER: A FUTURE FOR YOUTH
The cornerstone of Amaya’s investment is the creation of a free vocational training center for unemployed youth in Chitré. Using a significant portion of the funds, Amaya oversaw the renovation of an existing facility into a fully equipped center that will offer courses in trades like plumbing, electrical work, and basic mechanics—skills desperately needed by the local job market.
“Miguel wanted to build a lasting opportunity, not just give a handout,” stated a family spokesperson. “He knows that having a trade is the fastest way out of poverty, and he built this for the young people who reminded him of himself.”
The center is set to welcome its first class next quarter, offering a pathway to employment for hundreds of youth.
THE SECRET PURCHASE: PRESERVING MEMORIES
In an intensely personal move, Amaya also secretly purchased the small childhood home in which he was raised. The modest house, filled with memories from his early years before he signed with the Cubs for a $1 million bonus in 2015, had reportedly fallen into disrepair and was on the market.
Amaya did not buy the house for himself, but for the purpose of renovating it and preserving it as a site for his extended family gatherings, ensuring that the younger generations never forget the humble origins of the Cubs star.
This unexpected act—investing in human capital and emotional memory instead of luxury—has struck a deep chord with fans, highlighting Amaya’s grounded nature and powerful sense of community responsibility as he continues to make history as a Panamanian standout in the MLB.
