We are proud to share that one of our faculty members, Dr. Joe Davis, was recently honored at the Florida Blue Foundation’s 2026 Sapphire Awards, receiving first-place in the Individual Category for his exceptional leadership and lifetime advocacy for youth in foster care.
Dr. Davis will receive $100,000 toward Anchor House Ministries, a faith-based organization serving youth in crisis across Central Florida, where he just concluded his 12-year tenure as executive director.
Cultivating Transformational Growth
Under his leadership, what was once a single campus with a team of 12 staff members serving boys in foster care has flourished into a vibrant and far-reaching ministry. Since 2013, Anchor House has grown by more than 600%, expanding its impact through housing, educational initiatives, and therapeutic care. The organization now employs approximately 75 staff members and has changed thousands of young lives through a network of transitional and residential homes.
With a heart for those navigating uncertain futures, Dr. Davis helped pioneer Polk County’s first transitional home for young men aging out of foster care — creating not just shelter, but a bridge to independence. That vision has continued to unfold, with additional homes established across Polk County and plans underway to expand into Volusia County. Anchor House also provides spaces of refuge and renewal for youth under 18 in Orlando, Bartow, and Winter Haven. These residential homes offer stability, mentorship, and hope to those navigating the foster care system.
Equipping SEU Students & Alumni
Dr. Davis’ impact extends far beyond his work at Anchor House and into the lives of SEU students and alumni. He has opened doors for numerous SEU graduates to step into meaningful work at Anchor House. Following his retirement, SEU alumna Danielle (Mailly) Stolk now carries this mission forward as the new executive director.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Davis has faithfully served the SEU community as a professor of religion within the Barnett College of Ministry & Theology. His influence has left a lasting mark on countless students, guiding both their spiritual journeys and academic pursuits. We are so grateful for his expert leadership and the legacy he continues to build at SEU!
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