IMPACT
Transition Program
- 100% of young adults have been free of runaway events
- 100% of young adults have been free of criminal activity
- 100% of young adults were employed or attending school at the end of the fiscal year
- 100% of youth exited our program with a stable mentor or supportive individual
- 67% exited our program to a stable location
- Young adults report an average of 90% satisfaction with the program
Under 18 Program
- Youth report an average of 98% satisfaction with the program
- 100% of youth attended nurture groups and life skills groups each week
- 92% of youth attended school over 80% of the time
- 83% of youth made progress on individualized goals
Organization
- Over 150 volunteer hours were donated to Anchor House in 2023-2024
- 100% of our licensing and accreditation standards were met
WHO WE ARE
WE HAVE MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN RESTORING HOPE & CHANGING LIVES.
Anchor House Ministries is a faith-based organization that began in 1974. We are located in Central Florida and are committed to reaching youth in crisis. Most of the residents have been referred to us by the state of Florida as a result of abuse, abandonment, and neglect. It is difficult for many of these youth to find a placement and receive the care they need. Anchor House is one of the few facilities in the Polk County area that provides youth in crisis with hope. We walk alongside them in providing training skills, educational advancement, counseling, and practical experience.
PROGRAMS
Residential CARE Program
WHO WE SERVE:
At Anchor House, we understand that it can be difficult to find help for youth with specific challenges. That's why we offer a comprehensive residential care program for boys ages 12 to 17 in the care of the Department of Children and Families who are struggling with a variety of issues, including extremely aggressive or defiant behaviors, problematic sexual behaviors, emotional disturbances, and co-occurring medical conditions, suicidal and self-harming behaviors, chronic runaway behaviors with high risk of harm to self or others, etc. Our program is based on a Trauma Informed Treatment model. We are committed to providing each young man in our care with the individualized attention and treatment he needs to heal and thrive.
HOW WE SERVE:
At Anchor House Ministries, our vision is to reunify families if possible and to provide the least restrictive treatment option possible for our youth. This is why our residential care includes in-house therapy services provided by our full-time Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Our Direct Care Staff also undergoes intense training in Trust-Based Relational Intervention, providing them with the skills to successfully implement these practices as a TBRI Caregiver.
Transition Program
Our second purpose for existing is for those who hurt a little bit more than most we see. These children stay with us until they turn eighteen. Previously when these children turned 18, they were deposited at homeless shelters or placed in low-income housing. Rather than helping, this approach actually created more problems. Numerous studies show that the transition into the world at this age is generally not successful. Approximately half of all foster care children in the United States will be in jail within two years of turning eighteen. Here is where Anchor House is making a wonderful difference into this vortex of homelessness and continuing despair. We have opened four transitional homes. The results continue to set a new trend for the industry. For those entering our transitional program, only 14% have a GED or high school education. After one year in our transitional homes, we are proud to report over 92% have graduated or have earned a GED. Within two years, half have entered college. Our comprehensive approach that we began five years ago is showing positive results all around. For more information, please reach out to transition@anchor-house.org or you can reach out to a specific Life Skills Specialist using the contact information below.
Workforce Development Program
Our Workforce Development Program is designed to help our clients in the Residential and Transition program identify their interests and passions, develop employability skills, and gain real-world work experience. This will prepare them to meet the workforce challenges of tomorrow.
Our Residential program clients may participate in paid internships at our main campus. These internships provide valuable on-the-job training in a variety of areas, such as automotive work, cooking, maintenance, and office work. This is a great way for our young people to learn new skills and start preparing for their future careers in a familiar environment: their home!
Our Transition program clients meet with the Job Coach monthly to discuss employment goals and brush up on skills. This program allows clients to intern and work at various locations, including our main campus.
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