Founded by automotive legend Jim Moran in 1984, the Youth Automotive Training Center (YATC) educates disadvantaged youth in basic automotive repair, academic remediation, job readiness and life management skills through a tuition-free, nine-month training program. YATC students have the opportunity to learn a trade, plan for the future and become productive members of the community.
Prospective students are referred to the non-profit program in a variety of ways, including through YATC graduates, juvenile and adult court systems, police departments, school professionals and concerned citizens. Many of these young people have experienced poverty, crime, abuse and addiction even before reaching their teen years.
YATC has developed from a one-room training center into a 16,000 square-foot modern facility featuring technical and academic classrooms, a computer learning center/library, state-of-the-art automotive shop, conference room, lunch room and fitness room. Graduates of the model program, along with their families, continue to receive any assistance needed to keep them on the right track for success.
With the leadership that was provided by its Founder and the continuing support of community members, YATC provides solutions for young people who need a jump-start in life and will work hard for it.