Focus Areas

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Biodiesel Production
The Gulfsouth Youth BioDIesel Project engages, empowers and inspires youth involvement in community development, social entrepreneurship and environmental responsibility through Green Collar job training in which youth ages 14 to 25 learn the ins and outs of how to turn raw organic materials into eco-friendly alternative fuels.

Building upon Operation REACH, Inc.’s 10-year history of successful community education serving youth and families, the Gulfsouth Youth Biodiesel Project engages young participants in a valuable, hands–on learning experience that teaches them the processes involved the production of cleaner-burning biofuels.

Workforce Development
Participants get valuable training that empowers them to make a positive impact in their community by coordinating with a variety of stakeholders – including restaurants, universities, truck drivers, farmers and fishermen – to create a viable biodiesel project.

The program also fills a critical need for developing job skills among urban youth for the growing 21st century green economy.

Youth involved with the program gain valuable skills, ranging from leadership and business savvy to mechanics, chemistry and engineering. Young people will learn the chemistry and engineering required in alternative fuel production, the mechanics of diesel engines, and the environmental impacts of both eco-friendly biofuels and traditional petroleum-based fuels.

Supply
Participants recruit and secure commitments from local restaurants, caterers and cafeterias to provide used cooking oil – the primary ingredient in biofuels – to the project. Suppliers are equipped with GYBP barrels that youth and their adult supervisors pick up regularly. For their tax-deductible contributions, suppliers are publicly recognized as supporters of a greener Gulfsouth.

Curriculum
Youth participants in the project meet regularly to conduct planning and receive training on relevant components of the program, including the basics of biodiesel production and its impact, leadership, business development, management, sales and marketing. In addition to regular planning and training meetings, young people garner skills through hands-on participation in the enterprise from mentors, teachers and supervisors involved directly in the project.

Production
Under the direction of trained professionals, youth participants convert the used cooking oil into eco-friendly biofuel.

Sales
All proceeds from the sale of fuel produced by the Gulfsouth Youth Biodiesel Project will fund Operation REACH’s mission to engage, empower and inspire children, youth and families to reach their highest potential.