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.Our Mission & Vision
High School Students Needed
Work with other youth and adult colleagues on achieving and maintaining benchmarks to support Brattleboro in being a youth-friendly community.
QYD Steering Committee Application
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You will earn $15/hour
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You must commit to a minimum of two hours a month for meetings. We’ll also spend some additional time working on special projects.
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Contact Cassandra at 802-257-2175 or cassandra.bapc@gmail with questions or for help with the application.
“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
QYD Benchmarks
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.
Unity
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.
QYD
Youth-Friendly Business
Know a business that is youth-friendly? Let the QYD Committee know by clicking the button:

QYD Criteria
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
Ace Hardware
Beadniks
Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro
Brattleboro Books
Brattleboro Boys and Girls Club
Brattleboro Food Co-Op
Brattleboro Historical Society
Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
Brattleboro Recreation Center
Brattleboro School of Dance
Brooks Memorial Library
Burrows Specialized Sports
Elliot Fish and Chips
Experienced Goods Thrift Shop
Galanes Vermont Shop
Insight Photography
The Latchis Theatre
Mocha Joe’s
New England Center for Circus Arts
Twice Upon a Time
The Works
Yalla Vermont
Youth Services
Zephyr Designs
QYD
Youth-certified 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:
Who We Are
Our Team & Leadership
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.

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
