Category Archives: News

BRATTROCK Festival 2022 v 2.0 a Rousing Success

The youth rock festival, BRATTROCK, was back Friday, November 18 for the second time this year at Stone Church with a dynamic line-up of five youth bands, on the heels of a well-attended BRATTROCK last June. The 30 minute in-person performances, presented by sponsor Guilford Sound, showcased bands Big Destiny, Color Killer, Ezra Holloway, Granite Danes, and Under the Overpass from 7 to 10:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. All ages were welcome and cost was $10-$20 on a sliding scale.

The Western MA-based band Big Destiny calls itself “a collective comprised of like-minded teenagers who tend towards eclecticism, drawing from an array of influences from funk, modern dance, pop, punk, and much more.” Band members are Iggy Passigila (band leader and saxophone) Nina Forman (lead vocals), Arlo Kline (drums) Winter Williams (keyboards), Julian Lindop (guitar) Maya Williams-Russell (bass), and Nick Daniele (bass).

Color Killer is a pop punk band that was formed in 2017 in Marlborough, MA and quickly gained popularity when a practice video of their song, Down With Winter received over one million views on Facebook in less than two weeks. The band consists of Lincoln Zinzola (lead guitar/vocals, Nate Dalbec (bass/vocals), Matt Hiltz (drums) and Dylan Huther (rhythm/guitar). In 2018, Color Killer became the youngest band ever to perform on the Vans Warped Tour (Lincoln was just 8 years old). They have traveled to CA to headline a festival at the legendary Gilman Street, opening for the Mighty Mighty Bosststones, The Queers, Big D and the Kids Table and many other bands.

Ezra Holloway

A local band, Ezra Holloway from Saxtons River, VT has been performing live since 2016. Holloway formed The Man-Made Tragedies in 2018 for which he was the lead singer, bass player, rhythm guitarist and principal songwriter. Described as a magnetic, energetic and “an over the top” front man, Holloway always keeps the crowds jumping. Supporting Holloway is Donny Sweeney (bass) from Hancock, NH and Lucas Majer (drums) of Brattleboro, VT.

Then an aspiring bass player and singer with self-described “delusions of grandeur” Reece Leddy (guitar/lead vocals) claims he started Granite Danes in the Portsmouth, NH Musical and Arts Center parking lot. The Portsmouth-based band consist of Declan Nuchow-Hartzell (drums), a Brooklyn transplant, Ian Hawkins (guitar/vocals), “a band kid that can’t go 10 minutes without making a joke” and Rocky Capone (guitar).

Granite Danes

A 4-member post punk band promoted as “born and raised in a basement,” is Under the Overpass. With influences from So Cal Punk and Hardcore they melded their tastes into unique music. Mano Moore (guitar) and Lucas Majer (drums) quickly found Sock Plumb (bass) and Sophie Clough (vocals) to form a band. They said the band lives by the motto, “Anything can be a song lyric if you’re funky enough!”

BRATTROCK raises funds for Youth Services with a mission of providing places for youth to gather and a venue for musically-minded youth from Vermont and the surrounding region to connect, learn, perform, inspire, and be inspired. Stone Church is at 210 Main St. in Brattleboro, VT.

Youth Services Corporate Sponsors for 2022 include Pacesetters Brattleboro Subaru, The Richards Group and Headwater Precision, Presenters: Guilford Sound, Chroma, NorthStar, GS Precision. Sustainers: Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors; Brattleboro Savings & Loan; DMI Paving; Law Office of Crispe & Crispe; Edward Jones Investment; Holiday Inn Express; H & R Block/Targett Ledgers Inc.; New Chapter; 802 Credit Union; Silver Forest of Vermont, Inc; Swiss Precision Turning; Vermont Country Deli and VSECU. Patron Sponsors are RetroMusic; Beadniks; Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC; Market 32 Golub Foundation; Stevens & Associates; and Trust Co. of Vermont.  Associate Sponsors are: Cota & Cota, Inc; Phillips, Shriver, Dunn & Carroll; Shoe Tree and WW Building Supply.

For more information email info@brattrock.com or visit Brattrock.com.

Youth Services Welcomes New Therapist, Lucy Webb

Youth Services is building their capacity to support the community with the addition of clinician Lucy Webb. This hire expands Youth Services’ ability to offer counseling to more youth, adults and families throughout Windham County.

Therapist Lucy Webb

In recent years, the demand for mental health services and substance use treatment has increased nationally and locally. The effects of the pandemic have continued to add additional stressors, according to Youth Services’ Clinical Director, Heather Smith. 

“We are so excited to have Lucy join the agency. Having a skilled clinician join our counseling team will allow us to meet more of the therapeutic needs in the communities we serve. Additionally, Lucy will be a tremendous asset to Youth Services clients and direct service staff,” Smith said. 

In addition to collaborating with internal and external partners, Webb is meeting with individuals and families seeking assessments for short- or long-term substance use or mental health treatment to set goals and work together on achieving them. Webb is available to have in-person or tele-health sessions. She says she is especially excited about joining the organization for the breadth and depth of the work done by Youth Services.

Relationships have been the intervention since Youth Services was founded 50 years ago, according to Smith. The counseling program she directs continues Youth Services’ long-standing commitment to youth, adults and families by offering psychotherapy services, especially during transitional periods that are often marked by challenging milestones. “With Youth Services’ support, they don’t have to move through it alone,” Smith said emphatically.

Webb has a varied background as an educator, camp director, journalist and marketing professional, but she most recently comes to Youth Services from the Center for Human Development, where she was senior clinician at CHD’s outpatient behavioral health clinic in Orange, Massachusetts.

Possessing a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University New England, Webb is working towards receiving her license as a marriage and family therapist in Vermont. 

For more information on Youth Services clinical programs or to support these efforts with a donation, visit youthservicesinc.org or call (802) 257-0361. 

Youth Services Expands Access and Innovative Approaches at Summer Camp

Friends for Change, an after-school program in Bellows Falls operated by Youth Services in partnership with Greater Falls Connections, expanded its summer camp piloted last year, engaging on average, 30 youth per week between the end of June and mid-August.

It was seven weeks of play-based, restorative, trauma-informed, no-cost day camp for youth ages 11-20. Using Compass School campus as a base, the thirty young people were able to try new things ranging from kayaking to community reciprocity and restorative practices. According to Friends for Change founder and co-director Hailee Galandak-Cochran, the campers focused on how they could give back to outdoor spaces in the community, such as cleaning up trash at Cold River, where they swam regularly during the hot weather.

Galandak-Cochran explained that all youth were welcome but programming was specifically created with individuals who have experienced trauma associated with poverty, discrimination, experiences with foster care or family instability.

A range of activities were offered including many field trips to lakes, rivers and hiking spots in the region along with team-building games and art.

“Like its after-school counterpart, the summer-time Friends For Change program is designed for and by youth who have stories of resilience,” described Galandak-Cochran. “Friends for Change is about providing the scaffolding and opportunities to build skills to create real systems change,” she said.

Now celebrating its 50th year building community, Youth Services prides itself on supporting innovation and being a catalyst for change, according to its Executive Director, Russell Bradbury-Carlin.

Supportive adults help the youth lead community-building restorative circles, affectionately called “deep circles” (because of the nature of the discussions), a hallmark of the group which was evident in the interactions during camp.

“Healing of trauma occurs through peer support, as youth learn self-compassion, empathy, and the power of their stories,” stated Galandak-Cochran.

As one youth observed, “Friends For Change is about accepting people.  We can show up however we are without being judged.”

At camp, the young people practice conflict-resolution and peer-support skills.  Meghan Licciardi, the other co-director of Friends for Change, described how, as a result of activities like deep circles, the youth became more connected to their peers and positive adults in the community.

Unloading at the swimming hole.

“Participants report an increase in confidence, leadership, a sense of belonging, community involvement, and less substance use,” reflected Licciardi.

A collaboration with Greater Falls Connections, Youth Services’ summer camp received federal funding secured by Senator Bernie Sanders through the Afterschool & Summer Expanding Access Grant program, administered by Vermont AfterSchool, a statewide nonprofit. The Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center and the Vermont Children’s Trust Fund all help make this year’s program possible.

An increased sense of belonging was reported.

In addition to covering activities, travel costs and entrance fees, Friends For Change was able to have four full-time adult staff and a part-time youth camp chef to help run Youth Services’ program.

As the grant stated, the goal of the funding is to reduce gaps in Vermont’s current summer and afterschool system by addressing affordability, availability, promoting sustainability and piloting innovative approaches.

While summer camp has now come to an end, the youth and the adult staff are already looking forward to trying new innovations at their after-school Friends for Change which will restart in early September in the Greater Bellows Falls area.

For more information, email info@youthservicesinc.org or call Friends for Change at (802) 689-9663.

Ana Saavedra Elected President of Youth Services Board During 50th Anniversary

Ana Saavedra, financial advisor at Edward Jones Investments, recently assumed the role of President of the Youth Services Board of Directors, taking the reins from Cathy Coonan whose two-year term ended in July.  Saavedra has been on the agency’s Board of Directors for the past 15 years in a number of leadership positions.

During her tenure on the Youth Services board, Saavedra has held the position of Vice President and has served on the Executive and Gala committees. She has chaired the Development, Endowment and Planned Giving committees for a decade or more. 

Ana Saavedra

Since last spring, Saavedra has been an integral part of the Youth Services 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign with a goal of raising $250,000 for the Endowment from area donors in 2022.  Thanks to her example, all area Edward Jones financial advisors have personally donated money to create a $13,000 fund to match Youth Services’ Endowment donations from area business owners, members of civic organizations and individuals.

Rick Holloway of Saxtons River, VT, the Facilities Manager at Chroma Technology in Bellows Falls, assumed the role of Vice-President of Youth Services’ Board.

A financial advisor for Edward Jones for 18 years, Saavedra came to Brattleboro in 2004 to open its second office in town. All told, there are now 5 Edward Jones offices throughout the region, according to Saavedra, each appealing to a different constituency. In 2019 and 2020, Saavedra was honored as being of the top 10% of women financial advisors in the firm nationwide. Since coming to town, Saavedra is also an active member of the Brattleboro Rotary Club.

Russell Bradbury-Carlin, Youth Services’ executive director reported that Saavedra has been an outstanding board member and will make an equally wonderful board president. He described Saavedra as very articulate and knowledgeable about the many ways charitable donations can achieve tax and estate benefits while assisting nonprofits like Youth Services.

“Ana’s enthusiasm for our mission and her fearlessness and frankness talking about money —something few of us are so comfortable with — have made her a formidable asset to our fundraising efforts all these years,” he said. “Ana has a knack for distilling the essence of our agency to the public — and is articulate about why donating to Youth Services is an excellent investment!” he stressed.

 “I’m looking forward to continuing the legacy of strong leadership at Youth Services, helping other board members become more comfortable with fundraising and supporting the critical work that the agency does for the young people, adults and families in our community,” Saavedra said.

Youth Services was founded fifty years ago to help young people and families in Windham County thrive. Since then Youth Services have helped countless numbers of young people discover their own path to adulthood and provided support for families while they developed the tools they need to address loss, trauma, substance abuse and economic hardships.

According to Executive Director, Bradbury-Carlin, Youth Services programs are always evolving with the changing needs of the community. “Our staff take pride in experimenting with new approaches and our local fundraising and corporate sponsorship program allow us to respond quicker to the changing landscape than if we were a state human services agency “We fill the holes in the safety net in our county, rather than duplicate services,” he explained.

Over the 50 years Youth Services has built community, its programs have targeted runaway and homeless youth; youth transitioning out of foster care; mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters; substance abuse prevention counselors embedded in all Windham County high schools; individual and family counseling; young mom’s support groups; intensive family-based services for those in danger of losing their children to state custody; clinical services; and restorative justice programs such as court diversion, as well as efforts to improve school attendance and reduce youth involvement in the justice system.

Some of the innovations of the last five years include Demo Graphix, a youth-led screen-printing business; Friends For Change, a summer camp and after-school program in Bellows Falls; Work Today, an on-demand employment service for people living in difficult circumstances, and a merger with the Brattleboro Community Justice Center, expanded the range of programs offered and clients served. Despite the wide variety of programming, building relationships are at the core of everything Youth Services does.

To learn how you can get involved, contact info@youthservicesinc.org or call (802) 257-0361.

Moxie Band headlined BRATTROCK Festival 2022 on June 18 at Stone Church in Brattleboro

BRATTROCK, a youth festival presented by Sponsor Guilford Sound, returned with its first in-person performances on Saturday, June 18 at Stone Church in Brattleboro, Vermont from 6:30 p.m. to 11 pm. All ages were welcome.

Moxie Band

Moxie, a four-piece indie rock band formed in January 2017 in Brattleboro headlined BRATTROCK as part of their Summer ‘22 Tour and performed hits from both albums, Fall LP and Flow of Color.

According to the band, Moxie draws from a wide range of inspiration “collaging the influences of grooves and melodies that span across decades forming together.” This crafts a sound that simultaneously evokes the comfort of a classic and the wonder of an entirely new sound.

Moxie is made of Rei Kimura’s powerful vocals which reminisce of classic soul and blues, Leander Holzapfel’s shimmering and dynamic lead guitar, Daniel Snyder’s unbelievably tight grooves, and David Cohen’s basslines which often blur the line into a lead instrument. Together, their influences blend and swirl, creating a hybrid which truly, unambiguously, sounds of Moxie.

Moxie Band

Crediting BRATTROCK as an influence in developing their signature sound, Moxie was thrilled to be returning for this “homecoming gig.” Also performing was local garage punk band, Man Made Tragedies; Granite Danes, billed as “eclectic Portsmouth humorists”; Big Destiny, a Western Massachusetts dance band; Golden Marilyn, a post-punk group from Keene, NH; and Pencil Biters, a Londonderry, VT progressive rock group.

Poster for BRATTROCK 22

BRATTROCK raised funds for Youth Services while providing places for youth to gather and a venue for musically-minded youth from Vermont and the surrounding region to connect, learn, perform, inspire, and be inspired.

Stone Church is at 210 Main St. in Brattleboro, VT. An all ages event, the cost was $10-$20 on a sliding scale.

Youth Services Corporate Sponsors for 2022 include Pacesetters Brattleboro Subaru, The Richards Group and Headwater Precision, and Presenters: Guilford Sound, Chroma, NorthStar, GS Precision.

Sustainers: Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors; Brattleboro Savings & Loan; DMI Paving; Law Office of Crispe & Crispe; Chadwick & Spensley; Edward Jones Investment; Holiday Inn Express; H & R Block/Targett Ledgers Inc.; New Chapter; 802 Credit Union; Silver Forest of Vermont, Inc; Swiss Precision Turning; Vermont Country Deli and VSECU.

Patron Sponsors are RetroMusic; Beadniks; Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC; Market 32 Golub Foundation; Stevens & Associates; and Trust Co. of Vermont.

Associate Sponsors are: Cota & Cota, Inc; Phillips, Shriver, Dunn & Carroll; Shoe Tree and WW Building Supply.

For more information email info@brattrock.com or visit Brattrock.com.

Affordable Housing Leader Bill Morlock joins Youth Services Board

William Morlock III, retired Executive Director of the Springfield (Vermont) Housing Authority, recently joined 11 other community members in serving on Youth Services’ board of directors. Through twenty programs ranging from restorative justice, to mentoring, transitional living, workforce development, counseling and case management, the nonprofit agency, celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, helps Windham County thrive.

Morlock served at the helm of the Springfield Housing Authority for three decades. In addition to the Ellis Bloc and Huber Buildings, the Housing Authority under Morlock’s leadership, renovated the Woolson Block, a three-story historic former mill building. With a $8.7 million investment, the block was transformed into a multi-use facility combining affordable apartments, service-enriched apartments for homeless and at-risk youth ages 18-24 and more than 5,000 square feet of commercial spaces.

Also in Springfield, earlier in his career, Morlock was the Nursing Home Administrator for two homes in the 80’s and before that, a middle school science teacher in Enfield, CT. Now retired, Morlock serves on the Springfield On the Move board and was past President and Vice President of Brattleboro Community Land Trust, Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) and Housing Vermont.

Morlock is already familiar with many aspects of Youth Services, having served on its finance committee for several years. He was recognized by HCRS in recent years for his collaboration on a youth-in transition program in the Woolson Block development in Springfield for young adults between 18-24, to give them wrap around services for two years with housing, similar to a program at Youth Services. He looks forward to helping the organization prepare for new challenges ahead as he helps with its mission of being a catalyst for change.

“Bill has been an amazing asset for Springfield’s downtown and community,” stated Youth Services board president, Cathy Coonan.  “We are so very fortunate to be able to tap his creativity and compassion now for Youth Services, through his board service.”  “Bill, a committed housing advocate understands youth homelessness and some of the complex interventions that we employed to house clients so that we can together start addressing other challenges that they’re facing.”

Bill Morlock lives with his wife Chris Hart in Brattleboro.

 To learn how you can get involved with Youth Services or to refer a person for services, visit wwwyouthservicesinc.org or call 802-257-0361.

The 1st Annual CORNSTOCK: Cornhole for a Cause! grosses $11,000 to benefit Youth Services with the help of individuals and business support

Despite an unusually hot spring day last Saturday, Youth Services’ new fundraiser, CORNSTOCK: Cornhole for a Cause! was successfully launched the afternoon of May 21 at Retreat Farm in Brattleboro. Presented by Chroma Technology, the inaugural event which celebrated Youth Services’ 50 years building community, grossed $11,000 to support its 20 programs in Windham County and in neighboring New Hampshire towns.

Teams of four or more, totaling 125 individuals with names like “The Hole Denominators”,“Creamed Corn”, “Lieutenant Frank Drebin” and the “Senior Holymolycornholies” raised donations on-line and off, from more than 100 acquaintances near and far.

Frances Quesnel (R) was
top individual fundraiser.

Retreat Farm’s Farmhouse Square sported the flying corn bags (sewn and weighed to specs by volunteers Judy and Chip Siler) every hour between noon and 6 pm, in a grassy field lined with 24 cornhole boards built by the Windham Regional Career Center students taught by instructor John DiMatteo) from materials donated by W.W. Building Supply. The boards were snappily dressed in purple and white vinyl covers contributed by Elite Vinyl Images, designed by Lotus Graphics and installed by Brattleboro Union High School volunteers.

Youth Services’ Executive Director, Russell Bradbury-Carlin categorized CORNSTOCK ‘22 as a strong start for what he hopes will be an increasingly successful fundraiser for his organization and a signature event for the community.

Over 125 players braved hot weather to come out and play cornhole for a cause!

“I want to thank our volunteers, our cornhole players, our corporate sponsors, the musicians and food trucks and our in-kind and prize donors,” he said. “We couldn’t have pulled this off without each and every one of them.  Also, Retreat Farm is a great venue for CORNSTOCK and their events coordinator, Jenny Crowell, met our every request,” stated Bradbury-Carlin.

Unlike a traditional tournament, prizes went to the top fundraisers rather than top scorers. Raising over $1000 to benefit Youth Services, Frances Quesnel from the Swiss Precision team “Oh Shuck It! Bag Busters” team received the top individual fundraiser prize, a “designer” hand-crafted red oak and alder cornhole set that resembled fine furniture, donated by Guilford woodworker and retired educator, Dwayne Johnson. 

Area musicians showcased their talents throughout the day at CORNSTOCK starting off with the 7-person ensemble Putney Jazz, followed by a Capella performers, Shoulder Narrows, and concluding with the seasoned musical duo, Steve Carmichael & Bill Conley.

The team who raised the most collectively was the “Cornish Game Chicks” team, who will receive a donated pontoon boat ride with refreshments on the Connecticut River as their reward. The business that sent the largest number of employees was tied between Chroma Technology and Swiss Precision Turning.  The Corny Cyclists team and teams from Chroma both received recognition for their team uniforms.

The Corny Cyclists won a trophy
for their team uniform.

Youth Services Corporate Sponsors for 2022 include Pacesetters Brattleboro Subaru, The Richards Group and Headwater Precision, Presenters: Chroma, NorthStar, GS Precision. Sustainers: Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors; Brattleboro Savings & Loan; C&S Wholesale Grocers; DMI Paving; Law Office of Crispe & Crispe; Edward Jones Investment; H & R Block; New Chapter; 802 Credit Union; Silver Forest of Vermont, Inc; Swiss Precision Turning; Vermont Country Deli and VSECU. Patron Sponsors are Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC; Market 32 Golub Foundation; Stevens & Associates; and Trust Co. of Vermont.  Associate Sponsors are: Cota & Cota, Inc; ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care; Phillips, Shriver, Dunn & Carroll; Shoe Tree and WW Building Supply. Media Sponsor is the Brattleboro Reformer.

For more information on Youth Services or to sign up to help organize next year’s CORNSTOCK, email info@youthservicesinc.org; or call (802) 257-0361 x147.

Journalist Annaliese Griffin joins Youth Services Board

Annaliese Griffin

Annaliese Griffin, a journalist for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Marshall Project, Quartz and New York Magazine recently joined 11 other community members in serving on Youth Services’ board of directors.  Through twenty programs ranging from restorative justice, to mentoring, transitional living, workforce development and therapeutic case management, the nonprofit agency helps Windham County thrive.

Griffin has served on the Brattleboro Community Justice Center board since 2019 and as a volunteer there since 2016.  She has been a member of several of the center’s re-entry Circles of Support and Accountability, in which a team of trained community volunteers meet with individuals recently released from prison. The group helps with challenges such as finding a place to live and work, healing relationships and building new ones.

Mel Motel of the Brattleboro Community Justice Center recalled that when Griffin served as a member of the Town of Brattleboro’s Community Safety Review Committee in 2020, the journalist brought insights from the committee to her board membership, restorative justice volunteering, and the Center’s Neighborhood Restorative Justice Committee, which has explored ways to bring restorative justice to local neighborhoods and groups.

Instrumental in the decision of the Brattleboro Community Justice Center to merge with Youth Services’ Restorative Justice programs, Griffin said she is excited to see the merger benefit Windham County communities by bringing all existing restorative justice services under one roof in order to serve people better. “I also expect that the two organizations working together will develop more creative community-based restorative programs, Griffin stated.

Griffin splits her time as a journalist between writing and editing for a number of national publications.  Recently she joined Youth Services’ Public Relations committee where she hopes to use her expertise with the written word.

“Annaliese’s background as a journalist will help us sharpen our media relations efforts and our ability to explain the purpose behind concepts such as restorative justice with the broader community, stated Youth Services board president, Cathy Coonan.  “We also appreciate her enthusiasm for our fundraising events and as we fine-tune our volunteer training we look forward to tapping her experience as a Brattleboro Community Justice Center volunteer,” Coonan predicted.

The most recent addition to the Youth Service’ board, Griffin grew up in Springfield, Vermont and moved to Brattleboro with her family five years ago.

Attorney Spencer Crispe Brings Legal Expertise and Passion for Supporting Young People to Youth Services Board

Attorney Spencer Crispe, a lifelong Vermont resident born in Brattleboro recently joined 9 other community members in serving on Youth Services’ board of directors. Through 10 programs ranging from program for homeless youth to a youth-led business, the nonprofit agency helps Windham County communities thrive.

Crispe is an owner and partner with his father, Lawrin Crispe, at Crispe & Crispe Law offices on Main Street in Brattleboro. He is the 4th generation in his family which has continuously practiced law in Brattleboro for well over 100 years, focusin on personal injury, torts, and worker’s compensation. Crispe brings to the practice an interest and expertise in civil rights, worker’s compensation and public interest law.

Dedicating a decade of his free time ensuring that Brattleboro had a skatepark for its youth and young-at-heart, Crispe, a devoted skateboarder, was a persistent champion for Brattleboro Area Skatepark is Coming from 2010-2020. Having been a social worker for at-risk youth through Spectrum Youth and Family Services in Burlington from 2005-2007 as well as respite provider and First Call Crisis Responder for the Howard Center, he knows better than most the array of issues facing young people in Vermont and some of the solutions that work.

 “Spencer’s background in services delivery for youth, his insights into fundraising, his legal expertise and his deep commitment to Windham County will be a tremendous asset to the Youth Services board,” said Cathy Coonan, Youth Services’ board president. “As one of the newer and younger members of Youth Services’ board, Spencer brings valued expertise and perspectives that we’re looking forward to tapping in the coming months and years,” she said.

Crispe graduated from Vermont Law School in 2004 and from the University of Vermont in 2001. He has been a Planning Commission member in Wilmington, VT from 2009-2012 and was a Trails Committee member during much of that time. When he resided in Burlington, he was a youth center volunteer for over 10 years.

To learn how you can get involved with Youth Services or to refer a youth for assistance, visit wwwyouthservicesinc.org or call 802-257-0361.

Brattleboro Community Justice Center merges with Restorative Justice programs at Youth Services

The Brattleboro Community Justice Center and Restorative Justice Programs at Youth Services announced that they are joining forces, effectively shifting restorative justice practices in the greater Brattleboro area under one administrative umbrella and roof, a move long-considered by both organizations and heartily endorsed by other community partners, according to executive directors of both organizations.

“This merger will build on the strengths of each of our two entities, promote synergy and permit more resources to be devoted to community outreach for using restorative practices in area businesses and organizations,” explained Russell Bradbury-Carlin, Youth Services’ Executive Director and Mel Motel, Brattleboro Community Justice Center Executive Director, in a joint statement.

The Brattleboro Community Justice Center, with 3 staff and an AmeriCorps VISTA, engages with community members to repair harm caused by conflict and crime. The Center provides trainings in schools and neighborhoods; offers mediation around community conflicts; facilitates restorative interventions with individuals involved in the criminal legal system; and works with individuals returning to the community after incarceration.

Mel Motel, Executive Director of the Brattleboro Community Justice Center described the work of her organization as “building restorative communities where all people get what they need and “where we ourselves have the skills to respond to and transform harm within our own relationships and communities.” 

Youth Services, with a staff of 21 and an AmeriCorps VISTA, has a long and impactful history of serving young people and families living in all kinds of difficult circumstances in Windham County. Since its inception in 1972, nearly forty-nine years ago, Youth Services has been and continues to be a community innovator. As such, it was one of the first organizations in the state to embrace Court Diversion 40 years ago as a way to help youth repair the harm and address underlying conditions that lead to crimes. 

With time, Youth Services was asked by the State’s Attorney Office to apply this successful approach to adults in the community.  More recently, adults also benefit from its pre-trial services and a program to reinstate driver’s licenses under specific circumstances. 

Expansion in the last decade also occurred in Restorative Justice programs for youth, according to Sally Struble, Director of Restorative Justice Programs at Youth Services. Added in the last decade is a Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program and BARJ, which seeks to reduce and eliminate further involvement in the juvenile justice system and improve school attendance. Struble confirmed that all programs in each organization will continue after the merger, which will officially take place in July.

Brattleboro Community Justice Center and Youth Services’ Restorative Justice programs have long collaborated. Now they’ll be under one roof.

Mel Motel is expected to remain with the merged entity as a co-director of Restorative Justice Programs, shedding the executive director role while increasing her community outreach for restorative practices, something she said she is thrilled to be able to focus her energies on.

Struble explained that the two organizations have a long history of collaborating, striving to develop a seamless experience for the community that uses their restorative justice services. Now the public will be able to find all Restorative Justice programs under one roof at 32 Walnut Street in Brattleboro.