What we do

By serving merchant seamen of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, Seamen’s Church Institute also serves the entire port community – as a troubleshooting “advance team” and as an ambassador of goodwill for the Delaware Valley.

For every cargo ship that arrives here, SCI is there at the terminal, waiting to greet visitors to our Delaware Valley home.  We strive to treat them as all guests should be treated, with kindness and in the spirit of God’s grace. 

The portrait of a cargo ship worker has changed in the 165 years SCI has served the Delaware Riverway.  Today, seamen come mostly from poorer, developing countries, and often take jobs as seafarers to lift their families out of poverty. They are on-call as needed, and travel all over the globe to work in often unregulated conditions, with people they don’t know and who may not speak their language.

At sea for weeks at a time, theirs is a bleak world where no national laws rule, piracy still exists, and rogue waves can wash away life and limb.  It’s no wonder these visitors are so grateful to see a friendly face and to enjoy some of the comforts of home. 
         

We invite you to see how Seamen’s Church Institute makes a real difference – in these individuals’ lives, and in the commerce that feeds our local economy.

Social Services
Providing for the human needs of seafarers

Workers' Rights
Promoting social justice & fair labor practices

Community and Local Economy
Providing for Delaware River port communities