Mission Statement
Anchor House is dedicated to providing spiritual, educational and financial assistance to disadvantaged women in a safe, judgment-free environment in order to give them opportunities for a better life.
Core Values
- Love (John 13:34)
- Non-Judgment (Matthew 7:1-2)
- Service (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
- Listening (James 1:19)
- Excellence (Colossians 3:23-24)
Our ministry is founded upon six enduring core values, each deeply inspired by biblical teachings: Love as taught in John 13:34, Non-Judgment as emphasized in Matthew 7:1-2, Service as encouraged in Philippians 2:3-4, Prayer as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Listening as guided by James 1:19, and Excellence as highlighted in Colossians 3:23-24. These foundational principles serve as the cornerstone of our organization, guiding us in our mission to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every individual is welcomed, heard, and empowered to grow both spiritually and personally.
Where We Are
Sierra Vista is a small city in southern Arizona, located 60 miles southeast of Tucson and approximately 14 miles north of the US-Mexico border. The City is surrounded by mountain peaks reaching almost 10,000 feet. Spanish for “mountain view”, Sierra Vista has a moderate, four-season climate and is considered to have the best weather in the entire state. As of the 2020 Census, Sierra Vista had 45,308 residents and is one of the fastest-growing communities in Arizona.
Yet, despite its current popularity and the influx of residents from around the country, many people in Sierra Vista are struggling to get by, particularly in single-parent households. Over 30% of residences in the city are single-parent homes and many of them are women. The lack of diversity in the local economy forces many residents to either make expensive commutes to Tucson or take lower-wage service industry jobs. Some don’t even have that choice and, instead, wind up making desperate or unhealthy decisions which often have poor outcomes.
Our Vision
Currently, Anchor House maintains the vision of Forerunner’s founders, partnering with other local organizations to evangelize and provide some basic necessities like clothing and food. At the same time, we are executing the vision God gave us. Anchor House is working towards providing:
Affordable Housing
The cost of housing has skyrocketed everywhere, including Sierra Vista. We hope to subsidize that expense for needy families by providing rental vouchers and, eventually, actual housing for 50+ families in a safe and secure environment. We plan to also provide utility vouchers for emergency situations.
Affordable Childcare
In Sierra Vista, the average childcare cost is $16 per hour, totaling $2560 monthly, for full-time single parents, which often leads to a reliance on government assistance. Therefore, our plan is to provide childcare vouchers as a transitional support until the development of our certified Childcare Center is complete, with the ultimate goal of fostering self-sufficiency within our community.
Financial Literacy
We plan to provide the education and skills necessary to help make healthy and sound financial decisions based upon the individual’s own goals. We will utilize established training programs that emphasize budgeting skills, spending habits, the importance of savings and the blessings of tithing and giving.
Employment Services
Utilizing our own vocational experiences, we will prepare clients for more gainful employment by helping them build/refine resumes. We will teach them interviewing skills and how to dress for success in their workplace. Lastly, we plan to assist with job placement and provide referrals for any desired vocational training. Ultimately, we plan to offer scholarships for those vocational programs.
Mentoring & Coaching
No amount of assistance will help if an individual doesn’t change unhealthy habits and patterns of thinking. We plan to offer mentoring and life coaching to those that want the help. Bi-monthly breakfast fellowships and monthly support groups for women together with monthly Bible studies will help supplement an individual’s support system and hopefully keep them on the road to wholeness and maturity in God.