More Than Words Expansion Empowers Youth

More Than Words (MTW) is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers young adults 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 bookselling business. In addition to paid jobs, youth receive intensive case management.

Building on a 10+ year relationship, we gave a $1 million lead gift for More Than Words’ 2018 Boston bookstore expansion. 

One year after major expansions in both the Boston and Waltham sites, More Than Words:

• Served 361 youth, a 25% increase
• Generated $3.3 million in earned revenue, up 32%, and is on track to reach its expansion goal of $4 million annually once ramp-up is complete
• Found that 80% of program graduates were engaged in work or school for 30+ hours per week
• Was selected as eBay’s 2019 Small Business of the Year from a field of more than 1,600