An Inspiring Woman on a Mission: Jodi Rosenbaum

It started because of a pile of books discarded on the side of the road.

A friend of Jodi Rosenbaum told her about the books and they marveled at how something as valuable as books were being treated like trash. But for Jodi, the books not only had intrinsic value in and of themselves; they could be used as a tool to help young people take charge of their lives.

They were More Than Words. 

In short order, Jodi had secured a small office in Waltham, Mass., and started an online bookstore as a social enterprise. Her stock was donated books and her employees were youths between the ages of 16 and 24 who were in challenging circumstances – part of the foster care system, involved with the courts, out of school or homeless.

In its first 10 years, the nonprofit grew to include two warehouse stores in Waltham and Boston, an online store and “pop up” stores that temporarily set up shop in corporate lobbies and farmer’s markets.

More Than Words empowers youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business, but its participants really have two jobs: the job of finding and selling books (what More Than Words refers to as the “Business Job”) and developing a plan for their lives (the “You Job.”)

The business job involves working at least 20 hours a week, training in all aspects of managing online and retail businesses, tracking performance and earning promotions.

The “You Job” is about developing essential life skills like opening a bank account, finding housing and getting an ID; building a resume and engaging in mock interviews; getting a high school diploma or GED; and developing a plan for their future education and work.

Add to all of this “Question Zero” - What exactly each participant in More Than Words is trying to accomplish? Answering this question helps these youths have a focus and set goals for their futures. One of the more powerful parts of the More Than Words website is the testimonials from the graduates of the program who discuss their Question Zero goals and how More than Words helped them get there.

Young people in the program are referred by agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, which runs the foster care system, the Department of Youth Services, which serves youth with criminal charges, schools, foster homes, probation programs, and community nonprofits.

But the youths also have to apply to earn a spot.

After six to 12 months of working on both of their jobs, participants graduate but the program continues to offer support for up to two years after they transition to other jobs or college to ensure they continue to meet their life goals.

“I see youths with skills and untapped potential,” Jodi said.  “It is exciting to be part of a model that focuses on how to empower a spark, a hope, and that gives an opportunity for youth to do it for themselves.”

And now More than Words is sharing this model through a training institute to teach other mission-based groups how to use the power of work to advance their mission. They are sharing these strategies, tools, techniques, and best practices with those interested in learning more about creating a social enterprise.

Jodi is truly an inspiring Woman on a Mission.

Are you a Woman on a Mission? A #ChangeMaker working hard to make the world a kinder, brighter place for those in need? I'd love to share your story.

All you have to do is fill out this form and share with me your vision, your mission, your journey and the impact you're making through the work of your small nonprofit. I'd love to feature you as a Woman on a Mission AND bring a little more attention to your good work with a little marketing love!