The Other Side Academy
The Other Side Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating free 30-month residential therapeutic community programs in Salt Lake City and Denver for non-violent offenders, substance abusers, and homeless individuals. Operations are self-funded through vocational training businesses including moving, thrift, construction, and storage.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSalt Lake City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Other Side Academy does
The Other Side Academy (TOSA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates free, 30-month residential therapeutic community programs at campuses in Salt Lake City, Utah (founded 2015) and Denver, Colorado (founded 2019). The program serves non-violent offenders facing incarceration, individuals with long histories of substance abuse, and chronically homeless men and women, accepting participants both pre- and post-sentencing. TOSA's underlying methodology is a "classic therapeutic community" — a peer-based behavioral change architecture, modeled on the Delancey Street Foundation, in which the community itself is the primary change agent and all staff are former TOSA graduates with lived experience, with no professional therapists or counselors. The program explicitly excludes sex offenders, arsonists, and applicants requiring special clinical counseling, and requires participants to remain on campus for the 30-month commitment.
Participants receive housing, clothing, food, medical and dental care, GED tutoring, and job placement assistance at no charge while working full-time in one of TOSA's vocational training schools. These training schools — The Other Side Movers (rated #1 in Utah), The Other Side Thrift Boutique (SLC and Murray), The Other Side Builders, Designer Storage (Denver), Denver Moving & Storage, Furniture Boutique, and a property management operation — perform dual duties as functioning businesses generating revenue and as hands-on vocational training grounds. Reported outcomes include a 23% recidivism rate for graduates versus typical 40-60% baseline, 69% drug-free/crime-free/employed status for all graduates, and 100% full-time employment at graduation.
The business model is self-sustaining transaction revenue from the vocational enterprises plus donations processed through the Zeffy platform, with no government funding. Customer-facing pricing is zero — all services are free to accepted participants. The go-to-market is community-led: judicial referrals (judges, prosecutors, public defenders, probation/parole officers) plus direct walk-ins to either campus, amplified by earned media coverage, civic endorsements (Utah Attorney General, Salt Lake City Mayor, district attorneys), and TEDx talks. TOSA is licensed by Utah's Department of Consumer Protection as a Residential Vocational & Life Skills program and gained a legislative tailwind in March 2022 when Utah SB 179 formally recognized this category of program as a viable court-sentencing alternative.
The Other Side Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Other Side Academy
- Legal name
- The Other Side Academy
- Website
- https://theothersideacademy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Other Side Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating free 30-month residential therapeutic community programs in Salt Lake City and Denver for non-violent offenders, substance abusers, and homeless individuals. Operations are self-funded through vocational training businesses including moving, thrift, construction, and storage.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Other Side Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rehabilitation & Vocational Training Services
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Emotional & Behavioral Disorders (EBD) / Therapeutic Day Schools (EDAKAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)
Keywords
Where The Other Side Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salt Lake City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Other Side Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Vocational Training Schools: Self-sustaining through training schools including moving companies (The Other Side Movers), thrift boutiques (The Other Side Thrift Boutique), property management, and construction. These social enterprises fund operations and provide vocational training simultaneously.
- Donations: Accepts donations through Zeffy platform. No government funding received.
- Social Enterprise Revenue: Operating vocational training businesses including Other Side Movers (#1 rated moving company in state), Other Side Thrift Boutique, Designer Storage in Denver, and Murray Thrift Boutique. These enterprises cover most program expenses and provide on-the-job training.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | Free 30-month residential program with vocational training |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Other Side Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Other Side Academy operates a free 30-month residential therapeutic community program that teaches pro-social, vocational, and life skills to individuals with histories of addiction, criminal behavior, and homelessness. Students live on campus and work full-time at one of the organization's vocational training schools (moving, thrift retail, construction, storage, furniture), which simultaneously fund program operations and provide hands-on job training. All staff are former graduates with lived experience rather than licensed therapists.
Product overview
The Other Side Academy is a single, unified therapeutic community program that operates multiple vocational training schools as integrated components of its rehabilitation model. The core offering is a comprehensive 30-month residential program combining peer-based therapeutic community methodology with hands-on vocational training through social enterprises including The Other Side Movers, The Other Side Thrift Boutique (including Murray location), The Other Side Builders, Designer Storage, and Furniture Boutique. These vocational training schools serve dual purposes: providing students with marketable job skills and generating revenue that makes the program free to participants. The organization also offers a Leadership Institute for advanced development and a Financial Success Program for graduates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Other Side Academy Residential Program A 30-month residential therapeutic community program that provides vocational training, education, peer counseling, and transitional services to individuals with histories of addiction, criminal behavior, and homelessness. Free to participants; all basic necessities (housing, food, clothing, medical/dental care, GED tutoring) provided.
- The Other Side Movers A moving company serving the general public in Salt Lake City; functions as a vocational training school that teaches students marketable job skills while generating revenue to support the organization's operations.
- The Other Side Thrift Boutique
Quantifiable outcome
- 23% recidivism rate for graduates who complete 2.5+ years, vs. typical 40-60% for prison system
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Other Side Academy
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Other Side Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Other Side Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supportive.
- Utah County District Attorney's OfficecoreJeff Buhman, Utah County District Attorney, was instrumental in establishing the program as an alternative sentencing option. His office worked with Joseph and Celia Grenny to bring the Delancey Street model to Utah, approving the first candidates for the program.
- Delancey Street FoundationcoreThe Other Side Academy is modeled after the Delancey Street Foundation in San Francisco, which has helped over 20,000 people transform their lives over 45 years. Several Delancey Street graduates (Dave Durocher, Lola Zagey, Steve Strong) left to help launch The Other Side Academy as founding staff.
- Utah State LegislaturecoreIn March 2022, the Utah Legislature passed Senate Bill 179 eliminating the JRI certification process for drug treatment programs and clarified that residential vocational training programs like TOSA are viable options for court sentencing.
- Utah Attorney General Sean ReyessupportiveExpressed support for the program and committed to encouraging the legislature, law enforcement, and others to join in supporting this proven model for criminal justice reform.
- Zion's Bank (Scott Anderson)supportiveScott Anderson, President and CEO of Zion's Bank, endorsed the program and recognized its value in transforming prisoners into productive citizens.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Other Side Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Delancey Street Foundation: San Francisco-based parent therapeutic community that inspired and trained TOSA's founders. Operates multiple residential campuses with the same peer-led TC model and integrated vocational training businesses, making it the closest direct peer despite TOSA having spun out of it.
- John Volken Academy: Operating two-year therapeutic community programs in British Columbia and Arizona with a peer-led model and integrated social enterprises. Comparable directly to TOSA on program length, methodology, and target population of addiction/justice-involved adults.
- Phoenix House: One of the largest nonprofit behavioral health providers in the U.S., running residential and outpatient therapeutic community programs for substance use and co-occurring disorders. Operates at materially greater scale but shares the TC methodology and residential recovery model.
- Samaritan Daytop Village: New York-based nonprofit operating residential therapeutic community programs for substance abuse and criminal justice-involved populations. Directly comparable TC methodology and residential vocational/rehabilitation model.
- Gateway Foundation: Large nonprofit operating residential and outpatient substance use treatment across multiple states, including therapeutic community programs for justice-involved individuals. Comparable on residential recovery model and court-referral intake.
- Bridges of America: Nonprofit operating residential therapeutic community programs for offenders and ex-offenders in Florida, with a peer-led model and integrated work crews/vocational activity. Closely comparable model and target population.
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): Nonprofit providing employment-focused reentry services to people returning from incarceration, with rigorous outcome measurement and a work-first model. Comparable on the workforce reintegration focus of TOSA's vocational training enterprises.
Emerging players
- A New Way of Life: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing residential and reentry support for women exiting incarceration, including some peer-community elements. Comparable population focus on justice-involved individuals with a smaller-scope, gender-specific niche.
Broad incumbents
- Volunteers of America: Large national nonprofit operating residential recovery, reentry, and supportive housing programs nationwide. A broader incumbent with overlapping capabilities but operating across many program areas rather than a dedicated TC model.
- Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers: Operates long-term residential rehabilitation programs for men and women with addiction and related issues, structured around work therapy in operated businesses. Comparable on the integrated residential-plus-work-therapy model at much greater scale and geographic breadth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Other Side Academy social profiles
Digital presenceThe Other Side Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Other Side Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
The Other Side Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Other Side Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Other Side Academy
What does The Other Side Academy do?
The Other Side Academy operates a free 30-month residential therapeutic community program that teaches pro-social, vocational, and life skills to individuals with histories of addiction, criminal behavior, and homelessness. Students live on campus and work full-time at one of the organization's vocational training schools (moving, thrift retail, construction, storage, furniture), which simultaneously fund program operations and provide hands-on job training. All staff are former graduates with lived experience rather than licensed therapists.
Is The Other Side Academy a public or private company?
The Other Side Academy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Other Side Academy founded?
The Other Side Academy was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Other Side Academy based?
The Other Side Academy is headquartered in Salt Lake City, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Other Side Academy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Vocational Training Schools are the primary driver. The others are donations and social Enterprise Revenue.
Who are The Other Side Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Delancey Street Foundation, John Volken Academy, Phoenix House, Samaritan Daytop Village, Gateway Foundation, Bridges of America and Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). A New Way of Life is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Volunteers of America and Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers.
Does The Other Side Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Other Side Academy.
What industry is The Other Side Academy in?
The Other Side Academy's product category is Rehabilitation & Vocational Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAAAC, Emotional & Behavioral Disorders (EBD) / Therapeutic Day Schools, with a secondary code of EDAKANAF, Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction). Its NAICS code is 62431 and its SIC code is 8200.