Meet Samantha Smith from New York, NY.

Samantha came on board serving as a member of SCI’s Young Friends, a group of new faces dedicated to advancing and supporting the Institute’s ministry to mariners. As a leader in that group, Samantha has spoken out on behalf of SCI and merchant mariners. This fall Samantha took the podium at SCI’s Pilot Boat Harbor Cruise, relaying her passion for our work and explaining why she remains an avid supporter of SCI.

“I am impressed with the evolution and changes I have seen over the last ten years—a new building in Port Newark, which strengthens the mission and brings services closer to seafarers; educational programs that allow SCI to raise standards in the industry; staff development; and humanitarian outreach … really, the whole mission of raising awareness of what seafarers do. Every facet of SCI works towards promoting seafarers. SCI gives critical support to a relatively unknown population that enriches our everyday lives. I encourage anyone even remotely interested in SCI to take a port tour/ship visit with a chaplain to witness the work firsthand.”

Samantha’s generosity continues this fall when she hosts a small event at her apartment in New York to introduce new people to the work of SCI. You can follow Samantha’s lead by hosting an event of your own, too. To learn more, contact volunteer@seamenschurch.org. Thanks to outspoken supporters like Samantha, more and more people will know about the contributions of mariners working our world’s oceans and rivers.

Want to share your story of SCI’s ministry? Email us at sci@seamenschurch.org
Your support makes a difference in the lives of the mariners we serve.