Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades is pleased to announce that Executive Director Lesley Warrick was appointed a trustee of the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA). Warrick, who also is vice president of the board of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), will represent North American concerns within the international organization.

ICMA is an ecumenical association of 28 Christian organizations, representing different churches and Christian communities. The members are all non-profit organizations actively engaged in welfare work for people who work at sea, including seafarers, fishers and the families of both. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America.

"Lesley brings deep experience in seafarers' welfare to her service with ICMA. She has the full confidence of NAMMA's board and membership and will represent the association well at the international level,” said NAMMA President Rev. Marsh L. Drege. “She is rightfully recognized as a leader in the South Florida nonprofit community and NAMMA is grateful for her service to our own organization and proud of her contribution to ICMA moving forward."

Warrick will serve alongside seven other trustees whose job is to conduct the governance of ICMA. She joins Dr. Jason Zuidema, Executive Director of NAMMA. Zuidema, as part of a newly announced collaboration between ICMA and NAMMA, will take on the role of General Secretary of ICMA.

“I am pleased to be of service to this special group and look forward to this new role as another means to extend the hand of encouragement and support to sister missions around the globe who, like Seafarers' House, seek to be of service to the seafarers of the world,” said Warrick, who has served as executive director of Seafarers’ House since 2006.

Under Warrick’s stewardship, Seafarers’ House has been honored numerous times. In 2015, Warrick was honored as Seafarer Advocate of the Year during Lloyd’s List North American Maritime Awards and was selected by the Leadership Broward Foundation for the 2015 Special Recognition Award.

ABOUT SEAFARERS’ HOUSE

Seafarers' House at Port Everglades is an award-winning non-profit organization supported by the faith-based community as well as by labor, business and civic leaders with a mission "to offer refuge, resources, renewal and respect to the maritime community through multi-faith service." Open throughout the year, Seafarers' House is a safe, friendly place where mariners can connect with their families, relax, or get emergency assistance if needed. With the help of its supporters and volunteers, Seafarers' House offers many services including free transportation, Internet access, counseling services, and liaison with authorities as well as recreational facilities. Seafarers' House was honored as the 2015 Seafarer Advocate of the Year by Lloyd’s List North America and received the 2014 Salute to Business award from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, Seafarers’ House was honored with the Seafarers' Center of the Year award from the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare - the first American agency to receive this international honor. Seafarers' House annually hosts more than 150,000 visits by cruise and cargo ship crewmembers. For additional information visit www.seafarershouse.org.