Sun Prairie’s Jackson’s Yard Care is seeking a little community support as it hopes to secure the final bit of funding to purchase its building and keep its workforce development program going.
Action Jackson, JYC’s owner, has long been a force in the community along with his business. For the past two years, he has provided completely free training to residents across Dane County in a workforce development program. His goal with the program is to bring more opportunities for those interested in the trade and to build a solid workforce throughout Wisconsin. The program has consistently received recognition from Dane County and the City of Sun Prairie for reducing barriers to employment and securing well-paying jobs.
Now, the building JYC has called home for years is being put up for sale. While Jackson has been steadfast in providing everything for the program, from every dollar, his time and equipment, all that investment in the community is at risk. Jackson now asks the community to step in for its last hurdle to secure the building and keep it going.
“Having that forever home feels like one of those unforgettable moments,” Jackson said. “To know that we don’t have to go anywhere and that we have a home, a workplace, forever, it really means a lot to me.”
(Photo by Omar Waheed)
Purchasing the building represents a big step in many businesses. It allows more control over a business’s finances and future, but it’s also a full-circle moment for Jackson as he is trying to honor what his uncle, the late Pastor Larry Jackson, did for him while continuing to serve the community.
“He had a caring heart, and he was in the community just doing things for people,” Jackson said. “He would foresee things that people really didn’t see in their path that was going to hinder them. He had this vision where he could save you from rougher times you were hedging in.”
Larry Jackson was born February 6, 1955, in Rosendale, Missouri. He moved to Madison in the 1970s, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin. He was often known as “The Street Doctor” and devoted his life to serving the community as pastor of True Worshipers Community Church.
He died earlier this year on Feb. 7.
Larry Jackson meant a great deal to Jackson and his journey in life. He was a mentor to Jackson and gave him his first office in the back of a farmhouse in Fitchburg.
“He helped me look at things in a whole different lens and taught me things beyond my years,” Jackson said.
(Photo by Omar Waheed)
Jackson strongly takes to the lessons of how to serve the community that Larry instilled in him. He often takes to the community to help in any way he can. Previous testimony on Jackson’s drive came from the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County’s CEO Michael Johnson.
Johnson once recalled how a tree fell on the property of one of the Boys and Girls Club locations. Johnson made some calls and later took to social media to find help, but without much luck. Jackson, without saying a word, immediately headed out there to take care of the issue to ensure that the Boys and Girls Club could continue its work without pause.
The workforce development program falls into the same vein as his push to serve the community. Jackson started the program after he noticed that the quality and quantity of landscapers lacked proper and safe training.
The program has seen multiple rounds with about a dozen enrollees in each cohort. They get a few weeks centered on safety, proper use of equipment, hands-on training, certificates, and are fed. They are often offered work after they graduate. He recently added another component for the program to provide landscaping projects for the community for those most in need. All are provided for free.
The current cohort will hold its graduation on Friday, April 10, where they will receive certificates from JYC, Dane County, and, for the first time, Sun Prairie.
With being able to purchase its building, Jackson has his eyes set on what it means for JYC. He hopes to expand the workforce development program further with an aim to create a standalone center on the property solely for training. He also hopes to start a materials yard open to the public.
“It’s a feeling I ain’t never really felt before, but all I know I’m ready,” Jackson said. “I’m going into it open-minded, and I’m ready to tackle a lot of things that Sun Prairie is suffering with.”
But as much as Jackson wants to serve the community and continue its impact on people, there is another financial hurdle.
The GoFundMe is almost at its goal with nearly $3,400 out of $4,000 raised.
Funds raised will help fully secure the building, repair and replace worn-down equipment, provide proper personal protective equipment and other safety gear, continue the workforce development program and keep providing free community services for those who need it the most.
