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

  • You will earn $15/hour

  • You must commit to a minimum of two hours a month for meetings. We’ll also spend some additional time working on special projects.

  • Contact Cassandra at 802-257-2175 or cassandra.bapc@gmail with questions or for help with the application.

    Click Here for More Details

“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

QYD Criteria

The youth members of the Brattleboro QYD Steering Committee developed the following criteria for a youth-friendly business:

  • Doesn’t sell or promote products geared solely towards adults (such as alcohol or tobacco/vape products). Exemptions are food markets and restaurants

  • Is an inclusive and welcoming place towards young people from all backgrounds

  • Is a place where it’s not necessary for minors to be accompanied by an adult to enter the store

  • Has friendly staff that youth feel comfortable talking to

  • 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

Three Stones Restaurant

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

Maeve Bald

(8th grade)

Mariam Diallo

Mariam Diallo

(8th grade)

Jackson Heller

Jackson Heller

(12th grade)

Max Naylor

Max Naylor

(12th grade)

Jamel Smith

Jamel Smith

(8th grade)

Cassandra Holloway

Cassandra Holloway

Kevin O’Brien

Kevin O’Brien

Diana Wahle

Diana Wahle