Brattleboro certified as Youth Development Community

Maeve Bald – QYD Brattleboro

In September, Brattleboro became the third 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.

QYD youth member and 8th-grade student Mariam Diallo said, “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.”

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

Brattleboro’s QYD 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:

Beadniks, Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro, Brattleboro Books, Brattleboro Food Co-Op, Brattleboro Historical Society, Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, Brattleboro Recreation Center, Brattleboro School of Dance, Brooks Memorial Library, Brown and Roberts Ace Hardware, Burrows Specialized Sports, Elliot Fish and Chips, Experienced Goods Thrift Shop, Galanes Vermont Shop, Insight Photography, The Latchis Theatre, Mocha Joe’s, Three Stones Restaurant, Twice Upon a Time, The Works, Yalla Vermont, Youth Services and Zephyr Designs