More Than Words Opens Youth-Run Bookstore South End

Submitted by More Than Words

A youth-run bookstore and event space opened on Monday, September 10 in the South End at 242 E. Berkeley Street. More Than Words, a nonprofit that empowers system-involved youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business, has spent the last year renovating the former Medieval Manor site into a two-floor hub of social enterprise and youth empowerment.

The new community asset features:

The Liberty Bookstore, with 50,000 books in inventory, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of gift items sourced from mission-driven businesses around the country, including candles, baking mixes, jewelry, and more.

The Smith Family Common, a community event space for author readings, film screenings, classes, and more, which is also available for rent.

The Weinberg Warehouse, visible from the street, where visitors can see young people working and processing the 3 million books needed to run their business.

The expanded More Than Words will serve 60% more young adults who are in the foster care system, court-involved, homeless, or out of school; after launching in Waltham in 2004 with just four young people, the organization will soon serve 400 youth annually. Further, the expanded space and businesses will grow earned revenue by 75%, sustaining the organization and giving young people "skin in the game" to work and contribute to their own solution.

"Before More Than Words, I was homeless," said Becki, a Senior Partner and soon-to-be Graduate. "I heard good things from other youth, applied, and got the job. It was hard to adjust to having somewhere to be. I had to be at work, couldn't just roam around. But then it felt good, and I learned to lead shifts even though I'm shy and take the time to work on myself and apply to school. In the Spring I'm starting at Bunker Hill Community College to study computer science! This new store is really important because it will give more young adults like me the chance to earn a job and find success. I hope everyone will come and support us."

The project was made possible by a community of over 200 donors, including Liberty Mutual Insurance, the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation, and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc., who le d the campaign with investments of $1 million and lent their names to the new space's features.

"We're grateful to Liberty Mutual Insurance, the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation, and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and the hundreds of individuals and institutions who stepped up, invested in our youth, and built this two-floor hub of social enterprise," said Jodi Rosenbaum, Founder & CEO. "This space makes a bold, disruptive statement to the world that with high expectations, accountability, teamwork, and a relentless unending belief in their potential and brilliance, that our youth can be responsible to take charge of a business...and their lives."

More Than Words has empowers youth ages 16-24 who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. MTW youth work approximately 20 hours per week running a $2.5M business, selling books in stores, online, and at pop-up shops as a vehicle to develop critical skills. They simultaneously have a second job, their "YOU" job, through which they receive intensive case management to work towards measurable positive outcomes for education, work and life. After youth graduate, MTW continues to support them for two years in a Career Services Program where they apply what they learned in other jobs and education.