Seamen's Society for Children and Families

Seamen's Society for Children and Families is a nonprofit organization founded in 1846 to care for the abandoned children of sailors from the Port of New York. Initially known as The Society for the Relief of Destitute Children of Seamen, it has evolved significantly over the years to broaden its scope of services.

History

The Society was established on April 2, 1846, at the Brick Church on Beekman Street in New York City. Mrs. Peter Stuyvesant was elected as the first Directress of the Board of Managers. The founders aimed to provide relief and protection to children, ensuring proper arrangements for their health, comfort, and education. Initially, the Society operated in Staten Island, where it rented homes in Stapleton and Port Richmond before constructing a building in New Brighton to accommodate up to 100 children by 1852[3].

In 1947, the organization began serving children from families unrelated to seamen, and by 1948, it had started providing care to African-American children. Over the years, the Society has expanded its services, evolving into The Society for Seamen’s Children before officially changing its name to Seamen’s Society for Children and Families in 1998[3].

Mission and Vision

The mission of Seamen’s Society for Children and Families is to provide the highest quality services to strengthen and preserve families, enabling children and adults to reach their full potential. The Society is guided by a vision defined by its legacy as a safe haven for families in crisis, driven to secure the well-being of children and strengthen families with excellence and justice, and inspired to build vibrant futures for those they serve[2].

Programs and Services

Today, Seamen’s Society offers a wide range of programs, including support for families dealing with mental illness, alcohol addiction, substance abuse, domestic violence, and other challenges that threaten children’s safety. The Society operates with a trauma-informed approach, catering to diverse community needs. It provides services in Family Services, Child Services, Education, and more, serving over 1,250 children and 500 families daily[5].

Some notable programs include the Emergency Foster Boarding Home for emergency child placement and the Education Bound program, which recruits volunteers to offer tutorial assistance to school-age children. Additionally, Seamen’s Society has initiated programs like Forward Through Education, a tutoring and mentoring initiative, and Safely Exit, focusing on domestic violence intervention and counseling[3][5].

Financial Stability and Employment

Seamen's Society for Children and Families is financially stable with a revenue between $10 million and $50 million, indicating the ability to invest in its programs and services. It employs between 51 and 200 individuals, offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. The organization is an approved 501(c)(3) charitable entity[4].

Seamen's Society continues to innovate and expand its services, committed to its mission of protecting the most vulnerable children and strengthening families across New York.