Jodi Rosenbaum 97C

More Than Words (MTW) is just that. More than 15 years ago, Jodi Rosenbaum 97C launched the bookstore and program for at-risk youth from her basement in Waltham, Massachusetts. An online and storefront bookseller now with two locations in Waltham and in Boston, MTW is more than just books. This year alone, MTW has employed and empowered almost 400 youth, all of whom are in foster care, homeless, or involved with the court system. Each participant spends 20-30 hours per week working in the store to manage all aspects of the MTW online, retail, pop-up, and wholesale bookselling businesses, which generated approximately $4M last year. And, when the youth are not working in the business, they are working on themselves partnering with MTW staff who conduct intensive case management with the goal helping each youth learn life skills and plan for their future, while infusing them with the self confidence that they matter.

Connect with Jodi on LinkedIn, and visit MTW's website.