Paul Anderson Youth Home

Paul Anderson Youth Home Logo

Basic Information

Address: 1603 McIntosh St Vidalia, GA
County: United States
Phone Number: (800) 559-7294

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Paul Anderson Youth Home
Paul Anderson Youth Home
Paul Anderson Youth Home
Paul Anderson Youth Home

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Additional Information

School Type: Youth Home
Area of Focus:


At Paul Anderson Youth Home, we are highly committed to helping young men aged 16 to 21 transform their lives for the better through a Christ-centered approach.

We offer programs that involve drug abuse treatment, practical life skills training, vocational training and transition programs for PAYH graduates.

Our service plans are tailored to meet each young man's specific needs at the physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual levels. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you or your loved ones.

Accreditation: ECFA, Charity Navigator, CARF
Founded: 1961
Residential: Yes
Counseling Services: Yes
Treatment Services: Drug abuse treatment, Practical life skills training, Vocational training and Transition programs for PAYH graduates
Support Services:

Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social, and Spiritual levels

Mission Statement:

Building Generations of Strong Families

Philosophy/Belief Statement:

At Paul Anderson Youth Home, we are highly committed to helping young men aged 16 to 21 transform their lives for the better through a Christ-centered approach.

School History:

History of Paul Anderson

1961-1971: Early days of the home

1961: Paul rides a bicycle from Vidalia to Omaha, Nebraska, to raise money to start a youth home. On the way, he meets Truett Cathy, who becomes the first donor to Paul Anderson Youth Home. In the fall, PAYH opens for business at the Mimosa Motel in Vidalia.
1962: PAYH moves to its current location on McIntosh Street.
1966: Paula, Paul and Glenda's daughter, is born.

1972-1982: The ministry expands

1972: Additional youth homes are opened under the PAYH name in Texas and several other locations.
1978: PAYH opens its own school with the help of Truett Andrew.
1981: The main office complex burned down and had to be rebuilt.

1983-1994: Paul's health declines

1983: Paul gets a kidney transplant. The kidney was donated by his sister.
1985: Paul's illness gets worse, forcing him to remain in Vidalia. As he is unable to travel to the other homes to oversee them, he turns them over to their boards of directors.
1989: Paul is inducted into the FCA Hall of Champions. He is too ill to accept the award personally, but his daughter Paula accepts it on his behalf.
1994: Paul goes to be with the Lord after a long battle with Bright's Disease.

1995 - 2007: The ministry moves forward

1996: Glenda runs the Olympic torch for the Atlanta Summer Olympics.
1999: The Truett Cathy Office Complex is built, with Mr. Cathy & Glenda breaking ground.
2004: Glenda remarries to Stephen Leonard; Drew Read becomes Chief Operating Officer.
2005: Drew Read and Mac Jordan begin an annual bike ride to commemorate Paul's original 1961 ride to Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska, in which he raised funds to start the home.
2006: PAYH Christmas Play begins as a small event on-campus, but quickly grew and moved its venue to First Baptist Church of Vidalia, GA, where more than 500 guests enjoy dinner and a show each year.
2007: PAYH builds a new, modern school facility, equipped with a computer lab and robust library.

2008-present: The ministry continues

2011: PAYH celebrates it's 50th anniversary.
2016: PAYH implements the Prime for Life substance abuse treatment program in response to the growing addiction crisis.
2017: Funding is secured to add a vocational program to our school to teach our young men skilled trades and expose them to more employment opportunities.

Programs and Services:

Spiritual and Physical Development, help transform the lives of troubled young men and their families, Substance Abuse Treatment Strategies, Educational Opportunities, Transition Program