When Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) welcomes merchant mariners to the Delaware Valley, we learn about the problems these individuals are facing and tap a number of resources to meet their needs. 

The challenges most ship workers have in common are:

•  Physical, emotional, and spiritual isolation.

•  Need for warm clothes and other personal necessities.

Our Seafarer Center at North 5th Street in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, is the heart of SCI hospitality, providing:

•  A recreation center with sofas, café tables, television, pool table, ping-pong, and basketball.

•  Phone cards, telephones, and computers with Internet service for mariners to reconnect with their families.

•  A Clothing Bank where seamen can select and keep whatever they need.

As needed, SCI also provides:

•  Free, roundtrip van service to area stores, the SCI Seafarer Center, sporting events, sightseeing tours, and Sunday worship services.

•  Counseling.

•  Worship services and Bible study, either on shore or on ship.

•  Group meals and holiday celebrations.

•  Ditty bags full of toiletries and other necessities.  (Now accepting product donations and volunteer help with ditty bags.  Click here to send an email to our volunteer coordinator)
  

•  Escorts and visits to the hospital.

•  Advocacy and intervention to promote social justice and fair labor practices. Lloyd's List  Article- Advocacy for Seafarers