Quality Youth Development
QYD stands for “Quality Youth Development,” which is defined as “substantive, measurable, and sustainable community actions that support, engage, inspire, and empower youth.” Click here for a PDF file with more details on the background of the project. For more information about the national QYD project, go to The QYD Project™ website.
Quality Youth Development
QYD
In September, Brattleboro became the 3rd community in the nation to be certified as a Quality Youth Development (QYD) Community™. A steering committee, made up of mostly local youth, spearheaded this project in order to improve their community and to make it more accessible and welcoming for kids and teens of all backgrounds.
A community needs to meet 7 out of 10 benchmarks in order to receive the QYD Community certification, which is based on a community’s commitment to its youth. One of the benchmarks asks local businesses to value their young customers by displaying a “Youth Are Welcome!” poster in a prominent location.
It’s important because Brattleboro has a lot of businesses that are geared towards younger people. And I think it’s important for those businesses to be recognized and for other people to maybe strive to be more like those businesses and help make this place a more welcoming and safe place for kids and teens. My favorite part is doing the work for it like designing posters and drawing stickers. It’s really cool to see your art in the windows of stores and things.
National Community Awareness
The QYD Project™
The QYD Project™ is a national community awareness and engagement campaign, in alignment with the 40 Developmental Assets developed years ago by the Search Institute. It seeks to raise community awareness and better engage communities in support of their youth. Building a Positive Community (BAPC) is supporting the QYD project in Brattleboro. QYD is made possible with funding from the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation, Vermont Dept. of Health, and the Brattleboro Human Services Funds.
Members Include
- Maeve Bald (8th grade)
- Mariam Diallo (8th grade)
- Jackson Heller (12th grade)
- Max Naylor (12th grade)
- Jamel Smith (8th grade)
- Cassandra Holloway
- Kevin O’Brien
- Diana Wahle
Quality Youth Development
Youth-Friendly Business
The youth members of the Brattleboro QYD Steering Committee developed the following criteria for a youth-friendly business:
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Doesn’t sell or promote products geared solely towards adults (such as alcohol or tobacco/vape products). Exemptions are food markets and restaurants
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Is an inclusive and welcoming place towards young people from all backgrounds
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Is a place where it’s not necessary for minors to be accompanied by an adult to enter the store
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Has friendly staff that youth feel comfortable talking to
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Is a place they would want to spend their time and money
What a great feeling to know the downtown community is succeeding at welcoming the youth of our towns. We need and want you to be part of the success of Brattleboro and so I look forward to seeing more stickers go up in windows!
Quality Youth Development
Local Businesses
The youth have chosen approximately 20 businesses (which is not exhaustive) and will be providing them with “Youth are Welcome” signs created by our QYD Steering Committee youth members. Here are the youth-certified businesses that are proudly displaying their sign:
QYD
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Ace Hardware
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Beadniks
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Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro
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Brattleboro Books
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Brattleboro Boys and Girls Club
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Brattleboro Food Co-Op
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Brattleboro Historical Society
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Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
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Brattleboro Recreation Center
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Brattleboro School of Dance
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Brooks Memorial Library
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Burrows Specialized Sports
QYD
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Elliot Fish and Chips
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Experienced Goods Thrift Shop
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Galanes Vermont Shop
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Insight Photography
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The Latchis Theatre
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Mocha Joe’s
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New England Center for Circus Arts
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Three Stones Restaurant
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Twice Upon a Time
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The Works
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Yalla Vermont
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Youth Services
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Zephyr Designs
Testimonials
Happy Customers
“You can also see how you’re impacting others, and how it sometimes makes their day and they smile.
“And, they light up when you tell them that their business has been chosen or that they have made an impact on the community.”
— MAEVE BALD, QYD YOUTH MEMBER AND 8TH-GRADE STUDENT
“We are excited to know that folks of every generation feel safe and happy to shop at Experienced Goods.“
Blog
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