Our Founder
Anchor House was founded in 1974 by Mark “Pop” Rivera who directed operations of the ministry for 33 years. A reformed gang member and heroin addict who became an Episcopal deacon, Rivera understood the power of transformation and redemption. His goal was to provide a safe, stable, and structured environment for boys where both God’s love and accountability was practiced. The land on which our main Auburndale campus resides was donated by Mosaic Company in 1982. Rivera passed away in 2012.