Sports celebrities raise money for Youth Automotive Training Center

The Youth Automotive Training Center in Deerfield Beach had its first online fundraising event and raised enough funds necessary for the program for a full year.

The nine-month program trains and educates at-risk youth in basic automotive repair skills, academic remediation, job readiness and life management skills.

Over 150 friends and sponsors participated in the webinar-style event including a current student and a graduate.

“I consider myself extremely lucky that I was accepted into YATC,” Ryan

Lucas, 18, of Lauderhill, a member of YATC’s Class of 2021, said in a statement. “I am grateful that there are people who are willing to put so much time and money into a cause just to give people like me another shot. I know I did some bad things when I fell on tough times and I take responsibility for all my actions. But now I see my past doesn’t have to be my future.”

Several longtime celebrity friends of the center joined the streamed event including NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, World Golf Hall of Famer Chi Chi Rodriguez and golf pro and PGA Tour winner Mark Pfeil, Baseball Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and

Andre Dawson and NFL kicker and former Miami Dolphin Olindo Mare.

Since its inception in 1984 by automotive legend Jim Moran, 777 graduates have completed the program, 202 of whom have received their high school diplomas.

The center serves a culturally diverse population, with 70% of graduates self-identifying as non-white.

Over 90% of graduates are employed, furthering their education or serving in the Armed Forces.

Visit yatc.org or call 954-428-0909. The Youth Automotive Training Center is at 399 SW Third Ave.