Seafarers’ House broke ground recently to mark the start of construction of their new 15,000 square foot Place of Welcome for mariners in Port Everglades. Scheduled to be completed later this year, the $4.5m facility will provide all the services that have been offered previously in a new, bigger, comfortable home away from home, plus an education center, a cafe serving hot meals, increased recreation areas, a chapel and a meditation garden.
“As the investments in cruise ships get larger, the crews get larger, and the type of support we need from Seafarers’ House has never been so evident,” remarked Jonathan Daniels, Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director.
Former Executive Director of Seafarers’ House, Lesley Warrick, was there to celebrate this historic moment for the multi-faith organization. “This world had to take a pause but we see it coming back strong, and we know that a safe harbor and a place of welcome will continue to be needed by the port community and the seafarers who sail into our beautiful Port Everglades,” Warrick said.
Board President, Captain Eugene F. Sweeney recognized the principal donors, including the “keel layers of the project who collectively donated almost $2 million,” Carnival Corp. and Carnival Foundation, the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, Royal Caribbean Group and SEACOR Holdings, Inc.