When traditional education fail to captivate our youth, we as a community must find a way to not allowed those who fall into such a crack, to end up needing prison re-entry as a way to secure a career.  We need to take some preventive steps to provide these particular youth with an alternative.

We need to find a way for these youth to engage a profession as a paid professional.  Not because it is a way to keep from going to jail, or to keep them busy to keep them out of trouble.

But as a serious craftsmen, learning skills while actually constructing livable Energy Efficiency Affordable Homes.

Being able to turn disgust for their environment into a prideful educational experience.

Bill Hanlon

When we first met Bill Hanlon, an instructor in the Construction Technology program at Flint Hills Technical College in Emporia Kansas, we were immediately impressed with his desire to teach.  Not do what he does to make money, and granted we all want to make living, but he was more determine to teach others what he has been bless to learn, himself.  That made him an instant fan of BSEC.  We have been joined at the hip every since. He has been dying to teach the caliber of youth we described above.  We tried to make that point last year, but few if any listen, so we are trying again this year.

Our Coalition Effort

After failing last year, we attempted to form a coalition with our local elected officials, the Dean of our local Vocational institution, the President of the Kanza Sierra club, and members from our local utility.  We were trying to show them the need for us to work together.  The Energy Efficiency part of the conference this year is a continuation of that effort, beginning with the Mayor’s show of support during his Welcoming comments.

Bill Hanlon will be making a presentation to give attendees a better perspective of not only the kind of work that is needed, but he also will introduce retrofitting solutions that are very doable too.  A key member from the Kanza Sierra Club is going to address both Energy Efficiency and Weatherization, and discuss how both processes can create Green Collar Jobs as a Pathway out of Poverty.  Then to conclude our Energy Efficiency education, we are going to provide a tour sponsored by the Dean of the Vocational institution, to some recently built Energy Efficiency Home in the Argentine District of our city.  This will be an outstanding educational experience – Don’t miss it!

Click here for more information about this session.