Lifebridge’s Grace Center Provides Safe Space for Gloucester Fishermen Community

As Gloucester mourns those lost at sea on the Lily Jean last week, Lifebridge’s Grace Center continues to provide a safe, supportive environment for the city’s fishing community.

“Gloucester is a small community with many personal connections to fishermen,” says Frank Freedman, Director of the Grace Center. “While there are other valuable resources like the Fishermen’s Partnership, the Grace Center has always proudly served individuals who were or currently are involved in the fishing industry. We are also lucky enough to have volunteers from fishing families.”

The Grace Center strives to be a welcoming, supportive environment for everyone, including fishermen. “Fishermen confront many challenges, including dangerous work conditions, inconsistent incomes, constraining regulations, trauma and substance use disorders, and housing instability,” Freedman explains. “They are tough, resilient, and they don’t ask for much. Sometimes they just want a space to relax, have a bite to eat, grab clothes, do laundry, or shower. Other times, we are able to connect them with public benefits and insurance.”

Safe spaces are important to building a strong community. “Their profession is dangerous and unpredictable, and we just try to be a consistent, comfortable presence for them.” says Freedman. “It’s about people feeling safe walking through the door.”