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TUCSON- A first-ever program, which takes kids from the juvenile court system and trains them with marketable landscaping skills, graduated it's first class Saturday.

The Youth Achieving Resource Development Skills. or Y.A.R.D.S. program was dreamed up by Tucson Clean and Beautiful's Joan Lionetti.

She teamed with the Pima County Juvenile Court to seek funding for the innovative idea.

The Wolslager Foundation stepped forward with a grant providing 1 year of funding to graduate three sessions of Y.A.R.D.S. at risk youth.

Participant youth are selected and recommended by their Probation Officers.

Program Director Dave Stadle says the Y.A.R.D.S program uses expert instruction to train juveniles with employable landscaping skills, "The people who are teaching these classes are actually the people who run the companies and run the agencies that would be employing these kids in the future."

"I learned a lot in this program right here," says Y.A.R.D.S graduate Louis Campos. "I want to keep coming. Learn more. Get more experience. They make good money doing that stuff out there. They do."

"We'll come outside and experience what they're talking about," says graduate Mathew Lakea. "Kids. They're going to love this. It gives them a second chance."

A surprise announcement at graduation reveals Y.A.R.D.S graduates just earned college credit at Pima Community College.

"I'm going to pursue education and I'm going into the landscaping business," says Lakea.

Sponsors and Supporters are Pima County, U. of A. Extension Service, Smartscape, Pima County Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation, City of Tucson Landscape Advisory Committee and other donors.

FOR DONATIONS TO YARDS- THE WOLSLAGER FOUNDATION MATCHING GRANT SHOULD BE SENT TO:
TUCSON CLEAN & BEAUTIFUL /YARDS.
(Donations are tax deductible . TC&B is a 501( c)3 non profit organization.)