Community Partner Award: Toby and Stella Mae Seamans

Mrs. Joanne Holbrook Patton and River House Director, Gretchen Hover Moreshi, presented the Community Partner Award to Toby and Stella Mae Seamans.

The Community Partner Award was granted to long-time Beverly resident activists Stella Mae and Toby Seamans.   This dynamic duo has, between them, buoyed many organizations and countless people with a gentle, relentless, dedication to not only helping but in creating solutions for the greater good. Their commitment to HCP and neighbors in need go back several years. In the 1980’s Stella Mae and Toby became involved with several recently immigrated Cambodian families. They assisted many with finding housing and housed several in their home. In 1989, Stella Mae, with others, founded We Care About Homes (WCAH).   WCAH would go on to purchase and rehab several multi -family buildings in Beverly, now part of HCP’s family housing portfolio. In 2003, Toby and Stella Mae became involved in the establishment of River House, a homeless shelter in Beverly. River House opened with 14 beds, and has served the needs of hundreds of homeless men over the past 14 years. Toby’s dedication to River House has been unmatched. Their compassion, energy, and strength of conviction are an inspiration.