Did you know that seafarers are responsible for 90% of all world trade? Yet, they are unsung heroes. One organization, however, has made sure these men and women who sail from and around the world, have a place to call home when they dock at Port Everglades.
Since 1988, Seafarers’ House has been a place where they can come for spiritual counseling, grab snacks, use free Wi-Fi or just get off the ship and stretch their legs.
Soon, they will have a new “Place of Welcome” thanks to the generosity of Seafarers’ House supporters. In May 2018, the nonprofit launched a three-year, $4.5 million capital campaign to build a new home for mariners who visit the port.
In recent months, 15 pre-built modulars were moved onto the campus where the aging and dilapidated temporary structures once stood.
“I was able to walk through and see what I had been looking at on paper for nearly three years,” says Seafarers’ House Executive Director Jennifer Stewart.
Because of COVID-19, seafarers haven’t been able to visit what was once referred to as “the Casa.” Instead, Father Sanford “Sandy” Sears has been conducting services virtually and delivering items requested by mariners to ships.
The focus now is to raise the remaining $850,000 to reach the $4.5 million goal. Stewart is hoping that by the time COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, they will be able to welcome seafarers back.
“Seafarers need our support, and we are here to take care of them any way we can, but we need the public to help us do it,” Stewart says.
Visit seafarershouse.org.