ADESA, a business unit of KAR Auction Services, Inc., announced that the company’s ongoing support of Youth Automotive Training Center (YATC) has earned the company “top contributor” status. During the 17-year relationship, ADESA has donated $1.8 million to the cause.

YATC is a tuition-free, hands-on program that teaches basic automotive repair, job readiness and life management skills to at-risk young adults in the Deerfield Beach, Florida, area. The center was established in 1984 by Jim Moran, philanthropist and founder of JM Family Enterprises.

ADESA supports YATC’s mission of keeping young people on the road to a successful future to become contributing members of their community and the automotive industry.

“Jim Moran was a pioneer in our industry with an incredibly generous spirit,” said Bob Rauschenberg, executive vice president of sales, marketing and special services for ADESA. “He was always so appreciative of ADESA’s donations—he treated us like rock stars.”

Since its inception, the YATC facility has grown from a one-room center to a 16,000-square-foot property, including a state-of-the-art automotive shop, classrooms and a computer learning center/library. YATC has seen 700 graduates in 37 groups, and it has an incredible success rate. Almost 90 percent of these graduates are successful and employed, and many choose to continue their education or eventually start their own shops.

As a top contributor, ADESA has contributed to the success of this program. ADESA has regularly participated in YATC’s largest fundraiser, the Jim Moran Classic, which includes teams of golfers playing alongside golf pros like Chi Chi Rodriguez and other celebrities.

“I would like to thank ADESA for all their support over the years,” said Terry Routley, executive director of YATC. “Because of generous sponsors like ADESA, we are able to raise enough money to cover our yearly budget at this one event. We can’t thank you enough for this!”