BUY YOUTH LEADERS

Building Up Youth Regional Partnership (BUY), a program of Bay State Community Services and the Braintree Community Partnership, is hiring High School students to promote youth wellbeing and prevent substance use among youth in Braintree, MA. As a BUY Youth Leader, you will work with youth in the region (Braintree, Milton, Quincy, Randolph & Weymouth) and a coordinator in your town to incorporate youth voice in prevention initiatives. Even though this is a leadership role, no prior leadership experience is required! Throughout the year, you’ll take part in trainings that build your leadership skills, help you understand the work happening through BUY and your local coalition, and introduce you to the basics of primary prevention and public health. We encourage youth with lived substance use and mental health experience to apply. Please know the focus of the program is to prevent youth from starting substance use by making changes across the whole community , rather than focusing on individuals. 

PLEASE READ ALL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA BEFORE APPLYING:  

In order to be eligible for the Youth Leaders program, youth must meet the following criteria: 

• Applicants must be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors who either live or attend high school in Braintree. If an applicant attends school in a town different from their town of residence, they must demonstrate knowledge of the culture and environment of the respective town. 

• Applicants must be enrolled in High School at the time of application. Rising Freshman, or applicants who will be in the 9th grade in September, are NOT eligible to apply. 

• Seniors (Class of 2026), or applicants who will graduate before the start of the program (August), are NOT eligible to apply.  

• Applicants must be at least 15 years of age.  

• Applicants who are between the ages of 15 and 17 MUST obtain a valid work permit if offered a program position. 

• Applicants should have reliable transportation throughout the duration of the program as there may be occasions where travel is necessary. For example, successful candidates will be required to travel to the orientation location as well as monthly in person meetings in Quincy. 

• Assist the BUY Regional Partnership and your Town coalition in prevention programming and decision-making processes by providing ideas, feedback, and ways to further incorporate youth voices 

• Participate in trainings and events on prevention, policy change, and more throughout the year. 

• Lead and plan projects, meetings, events, presentations, and trainings for peers and community leaders 

• Create social media content for Town Coordinators & BUY 

• Represent BUY & town substance use prevention coalitions at tabling events, health fairs, and volunteer fairs 

• Provide outreach and marketing to engage more youth & the community 

• Meet weekly with Town Coalition Coordinator from September 2026 to June 2027 

• Participate in Town/City Substance Use Prevention Youth Action Team meetings 

• Attend weekly BUY Youth Leaders meetings on Zoom on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:00pm. The first meeting of the month will be in person at 1120 Hancock St. Quincy. 

The deadline to apply for the program is Friday, July 10th @ 11:59 pm 

• After your application is reviewed, if you are selected to move on to the next step, you will receive an email to schedule an interview. 

• Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis beginning the week of July 13, 2026. 

• Decisions will be sent out via email by the Town of Braintree by the week of July 31, 2026. 

• REQUIRED orientation for training & onboarding will take place on Monday, August 24 AND Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (further details will be provided if and when you are offered a position). Weekly meetings on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:00pm starting September 3, 2026 through June 24, 2027 are required. The first meeting of the month will be in person at 1120 Hancock St. Quincy.