Paul Anderson Youth Home

What Paul Anderson Youth Home does

Paul Anderson Youth Home (PAYH), legally Paul Anderson Youth Home, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit residential facility founded in 1961 by Olympic gold medalist Paul Anderson and his wife Glenda Anderson in Vidalia, Georgia. The organization operates a single rural campus at 1603 McIntosh Street that serves troubled young men ages 15–21 drawn from all 50 U.S. states, with an average residency of 14–18 months and a stated-to-be-100% high school diploma rate among graduates. Its core product is the Christ-Centered Youth Program, structured around the SHAPE UP framework (Spiritual Guidance, Honorable Work Ethic, Academic Excellence, Physical Fitness, and Emotional and Social Development) and delivered through integrated modules: individual, group, and family counseling; addiction treatment (added 2016); an on-campus Cognia-accredited high school with 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio and dual-enrollment college coursework; vocational training in skilled trades (added 2017); practical life-skills training; a spiritual development program; and a post-graduation transition program. The organization is staffed by a small team (11–50 employees) including licensed clinicians, a Medical Director, teachers, mentors, and a dedicated advancement office.

PAYH generates no revenue from program tuition or government grants. Its entire operating model is funded through private donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and churches, supplemented by annual fundraising events (Paul Anderson Bike Ride in July, Paul Anderson Golf Classic in May, Chick-fil-A Vidalia Road Race in March, Giving Tuesday in November, and Founders' Day). The organization explicitly states no family is charged the full cost of their son's stay, with financial assistance underwritten by charitable contributions. Distribution is direct-to-consumer: families initiate contact via phone (1-912-537-7237) or an online admission form, supplemented by referrals from social workers, courts, schools, and churches. The organization is accredited by Cognia, CARF International, ECFA, ACSI, and Charity Navigator (4-Star), and reports a cumulative economic impact of more than $2 billion according to a Vanderbilt University study, having helped nearly 1,500 young men since founding.

Name

Paul Anderson Youth Home

Legal name

Paul Anderson Youth Home, Inc.

Website

https://payh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Paul Anderson Youth Home is a 501(c)(3) Christian residential facility in Vidalia, Georgia, founded in 1961 by Olympic gold medalist Paul Anderson. It serves troubled young men ages 15–21 from all 50 U.S. states through counseling, accredited education, vocational training, and spiritual development, funded entirely by private donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Residential Treatment Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Life Programming & Student Engagement Services (EDAEAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Court/Community School Programs (Diversion, Probation-Linked, Community Day Schools) (EDAJAEAI)

Keywords

• Residential youth services
• Behavioral health treatment
• Substance abuse counseling
• Youth residential care
• Christian youth ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Vidalia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization is funded entirely through private donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and churches. No government funding is accepted, allowing complete autonomy in operations. The organization states that no family is charged the full cost of their son's stay, with financial assistance provided through donor contributions.
2. Event Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including the Paul Anderson Bike Ride (July), Paul Anderson Golf Classic (May), Chick-fil-A Vidalia Road Race (March), and Giving Tuesday campaign. These events generate sponsorship revenue and individual contributions while raising awareness for the mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Paul Anderson Youth Home operates a Christ-centered residential treatment program for troubled young men ages 15-21 at its Vidalia, Georgia campus. The integrated program delivers individual, group, and family counseling, substance abuse treatment, accredited high school education, vocational training, spiritual development, and post-graduation transition support through its SHAPE UP curriculum framework.

Product overview

Paul Anderson Youth Home operates as a single integrated residential program for troubled young men, not a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering is the Christ-Centered Youth Program, which encompasses the SHAPE UP curriculum and multiple service modules: Individual, Group, and Family Counseling; Addiction Treatment; Paul Anderson High School (accredited high school education with vocational training and college opportunities through Georgia's Dual Enrollment Program); Practical Life Skills Training; Spiritual Development (Bible study, scripture memorization, prayer, discipleship); and the Transition Program for graduate support. The Paul Anderson Bike Ride is a separate fundraising event that also serves as a transformative experience for participants. All programs work together within a single residential facility in Vidalia, Georgia, to provide holistic care addressing the physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual needs of young men ages 15-21.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Christ-Centered Youth Program Integrated residential treatment program for troubled young men ages 15-21, combining spiritual guidance, therapeutic counseling, substance abuse treatment, accredited education, vocational training, and transition support in a Christian environment. Delivered at a single campus in Vidalia, Georgia with an average 14-18 month stay duration.
• Counseling Services (Individual, Group, and Family) Therapeutic counseling addressing anger resolution, delayed grief, problem identification, PTSD-type symptoms, and coping skills through cognitive, behavioral, metaphor, narrative therapy, and Telementalhealth approaches. Includes one-on-one sessions, peer-group therapy in clinically supervised settings, and family therapy involving parents and guardians.
• Addiction Treatment Program Substance abuse treatment program including assessment, individual and group counseling, and evidence-based programs such as Motivation for Change, Moral Reconation Therapy, and SMART Recovery, with spiritual integration through Celebrate Recovery. Designed for young men with chemical dependency issues.
• Paul Anderson High School (Accredited High School Education) On-campus, Cognia-accredited high school with student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1, offering high school diploma through the University System of Georgia's 'Staying on Course' program. Diploma requirements include English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Health, Foreign Language, and Electives. 100% of graduates earn their high school diploma.
• Vocational Training Program Skilled trades training program covering agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, culinary arts, wood turning, basic construction, automotive, welding, and fire science to prepare young men for workforce entry. Includes partnerships like the Goodness Garden project supported by Southeast Produce Council and Shuman Farms.
• College Opportunities (Dual Enrollment)

Quantifiable outcome

• $2B+ economic impact to society
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• VTH Factory (Vanden Dixon)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026VTH Factory in Statesboro, GA provided bike servicing and fitting for young men participating in the Bike Ride. Vanden Dixon taught proper gear use, chain maintenance, and adjustments to prevent strain while riding, directly supporting the program mission.
• The River Club Golf CourseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The River Golf Club in North Augusta, South Carolina hosts the annual Paul Anderson Golf Classic. Named a Top 5 New Course by Golf Digest, the venue is a significant attraction for golf enthusiasts in the Southeast region.
• Athens Y CampminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026PAYH young men visit Athens Y Camp for work projects and recreational activities. Paula Anderson Schaefer, Secretary and daughter of founders, is Director of Communications at Athens Y Camps, connecting the two organizations.
• Truett AndrewcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Truett Andrew helped open the on-campus school at PAYH in 1977 and participated in the groundbreaking for the S. Truett Cathy Office Complex in 1999. Associated with Chick-fil-A family.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Boys Town: Father Flanagan's Boys Town operates residential programs and youth services for at-risk youth nationally with a much larger scale. Directly comparable as a faith-rooted, accredited residential youth care provider serving similar demographics of troubled young people.
• Teen Challenge USA: National faith-based residential recovery and youth development network. Directly comparable to PAYH as a Christ-centered residential program targeting youth with behavioral and substance issues, also funded by donations.
• Cal Farley's Boys Ranch: Residential care community in Texas serving at-risk youth with a holistic education and mentoring model. Directly comparable as a nonprofit residential campus for troubled youth with on-campus schooling and long-term placement.
• VisionQuest: Residential and community-based programs for at-risk and justice-involved youth. Comparable to PAYH in serving court-referred and behaviorally challenged adolescents in a structured residential setting.
• Shepherds Hill Academy: Faith-based residential therapeutic program for troubled teens in Georgia. Highly comparable to PAYH as a Christ-centered residential school combining therapy, accredited academics, and family services for struggling adolescents.
• Majestic Hills Ranch: Christ-centered residential program for at-risk youth offering counseling, education, and spiritual development. Closely mirrors PAYH's model of holistic Christian residential care for troubled young people.
• Mercy Multiplied: Faith-based residential program serving young women facing life-controlling issues. Comparable to PAYH in combining biblical discipleship with therapeutic residential services for at-risk youth.
• Ranch Hands Rescue: Faith-based nonprofit providing residential and equine therapy for at-risk youth and trafficking survivors. Comparable as a residential nonprofit serving troubled young people with Christ-centered programming.

Broad incumbents

• Arrow Child & Family Ministries: Larger faith-based organization offering residential foster care, family services, and treatment for at-risk youth across multiple states. Comparable as a faith-rooted residential youth care provider at greater scale and geographic breadth.
• National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP): National nonprofit providing community-based and residential services for at-risk youth and families, including behavioral health. Comparable as a residential and therapeutic services provider serving court-involved and troubled youth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/payhministries
• Facebookfacebook.com/PaulAndersonMinistries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/paulandersonyouthhome

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Paul Anderson Youth Home