More Than Words is more than just a bookstore—it’s a nonprofit where purpose and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. At the heart of this social enterprise is a youth-led business that works with young people—ages 16 to 24, many of whom are in the foster care system, court-involved, experiencing homelessness, out of school, parenting, or involved with the Department of Mental Health. In FY24, 318 youth stepped into these roles—gaining real work experience, earning a paycheck, growing through performance reviews, setting and achieving personal goals, advocating for their rights, and building a foundation for success in any career path they choose. 

These young people aren’t just learning job skills—they’re running a $4 million business. Last year alone, they received nearly 1 million books for online resale, sorted more than 700,000 pieces of clothing, and rang up close to 11,000 customers. They also sold over 17,000 mission-aligned products and welcomed nearly 5,000 guests to the store for events, rentals, and community gatherings. 

At first glance, you’ll see shelves lined with new and gently used books—but that’s just the beginning. The store has evolved into a mission-driven marketplace offering kids’ books, toys, candles, socks, and clothing.  “Everything has to have some sort of mission alignment,” Erin Dyson-Enamorado, Director of New Business at More Than Words. 

That alignment is intentional. Products are sourced from Black-owned businesses, women-owned brands, and social enterprises that reflect inclusive values and give back to the community. “We’re helping lift up other social enterprises and nonprofits that share our values,” said Dyson-Enamorado 

The store’s growth reflects how the organization itself has evolved. During the pandemic, they expanded beyond books into online sales through Poshmark and eBay, eventually shifting toward in-person thrift retail. “Thrifting in-person turned out to be much more effective—for our mission and our margin,” Dyson-Enamorado said. “It brings in more revenue and gives youth hands-on training.” 

Today, the store also features a preview of their Cambridge-based Boomerang boutique, another youth-powered outlet for retail and logistics training. And beyond shopping, the space serves as a community venue for events—from weddings and baby showers to local gatherings—further proving their commitment to purpose-driven, people-centered work. 

Everything at More Than Words—from the books to the clothing racks—is a part of a bigger story: one where young people like Anthony are not just learning the ropes but taking the lead. As Anthony, a Senior Partner at More Than Words, explains, “We sell books, but we sell more than books.” He’s not just talking about product variety; he’s talking about impact.  

Anthony, is a young team member who was once unhoused before joining the program through a referral from Bridge Over Troubled Waters. 

Anthony started in “readiness,” the entry point for young people joining More Than Words, where they’re matched with a Youth Development Manager (YDM) to set personal and professional goals: education, housing, mental health, legal support, and more.  

New participants go through a readiness phase to make sure they have stable housing, transportation, food, or childcare—whatever’s necessary to show up and succeed at work. Once they’re ready, they graduate into regular shifts and responsibilities—and they continue to be supported by the youth team. 

Youth meet regularly with their YDM for monthly PR (Performance Review) check-ins, where they're held accountable not just for work performance but for progress on personal milestones. From there, youth can progress through roles: Readiness, Associate, Partner, and finally, Senior Partner. “You get promoted based on your goals, attendance, and how you’re showing up,” Anthony explains. “There’s a performance review at the end of each month. You might not always get promoted, but it’s a chance to reflect on how you’re doing.” 

“It’s just like a regular job,” Anthony says. “You have to earn your promotion. But we move faster here because they want people to grow.” The goal is not just to run a store—it’s to prepare young people for long-term success. 

Even after graduation, support doesn’t end. Career Services works with youth formally for two years—and informally for as long as needed. “We’ve had people come back eight years later. We never close the door on a young person,” Dyson-Enamorado said. 

“It might sound cliche but More Than Words means everything to me. Before here, I didn’t have a place to live. I didn’t have a job. I had a court case. Since coming here, I beat my case, I got housing, I’ve got income. They literally changed my life,” said Anthony.  

But as staff gently reminded him—he did the work. “We provided scaffolding and support,” Dyson-Enamorado said. “But you’re the one who showed up and did the hard part.” 

In all, there are about eight to nine social enterprises under this one roof, including retail, pop-up shops, business development, wholesale, e-commerce, thrift, and event operations. These aren’t just departments—they’re training grounds for future careers. 

Young people graduate from this program equipped not only with work experience but with life skills, stability, and confidence. Whether it's online order fulfillment or preparing for a career in clean energy, every moment spent here is part of a bigger path. 

“Even though this looks like the smallest part—it’s half the job,” a youth development manager said. “And in many ways, it’s the most important half.” 

At More Than Words, every shelf, sock, and sales interaction is part of something bigger: a space where young people build careers, where products support purpose, and where community thrives through intentional commerce. 

Every day, 10,000 to 20,000 books arrive—donated by libraries, schools, homes, and businesses. They're sorted quickly and thoughtfully: some head to the storefront, others go online, and the rest are routed to wholesale partners. 

“We really sell everything,” said Dyson-Enamorado. “It just depends on how we sell it.” 

Most titles—up to 103,000 in inventory—are prepped for online or bulk resale. Accepted books are labeled and shelved alphabetically (A–X). When orders come in—often 700 to 1,000 daily— a pick list is printed with the exact location of each book. 

“Every morning, we print new orders, pick the books, ship them, and restock. It’s a constant cycle,” Anthony explained. 

Donations flow in through 50 white bins across 41 locations in Eastern Massachusetts. Individuals, schools, and businesses can drop off books anytime or schedule free pickups online. 

“We offer free pickup, but we suggest a donation to help with rising costs—like gas,” said Dyson-Enamorado. “Especially now, when everything costs more.” 

Each day, between 8 and 12 young people work in the online department—some handling orders upstairs, others processing new inventory downstairs. It’s the most profitable arm of the organization —and where most of the youth get hands-on experience. 

“The online book business brings in the most revenue to support our programs,” Dyson-Enamorado said. “Other business lines make up maybe 25% of what online brings in.” 

Market demand shifts quickly. During COVID, books about pandemics—once discarded—became hot sellers. 

Rejected books aren’t wasted. Many are sold in bulk by barcode or by the pound. Some wholesale partners take entire trailers—up to two a week. 

With such volume, efficiency is key. “We use a just-in-time system—moving books out as fast as they come in,” Dyson-Enamorado explained. “If we’re full, we can’t accept donations. We even have to plan sorting to avoid blocking fire exits at night.” 

While the business side is impressive, what’s even more powerful is the youth development component built into every part of the work. 

Kevin is the kind of young person you don’t forget—clear-eyed, thoughtful, and full of quiet determination. A senior partner at More Than Words, Kevin has spent the past year growing in ways he never imagined possible. Today, as he graduates from the program, he’s not only equipped with job skills and a plan—he’s chasing a lifelong dream of becoming an aerospace engineer. 

But a year ago, things looked very different. 

“I was at a particularly low point in my life,” Kevin shares. “I didn’t have any direction. I was freshly out of a complicated family situation, and every plan I had for the future had gone out the window.” 

Then his sister told him about More Than Words. Kevin was curious when he heard that the program could support pathways to college, trade school, and employment. He applied. He got in and everything began to shift. 

“Since I’ve been here, it’s been all guidance and help—everything I wanted out of it, honestly,” Kevin says. “There’s not a single thing I feel like I missed out on.” 

At More Than Words, Kevin jumped into work. He took on a central role in the retail department and also contributed to the pop-up shop, events, and fundraisers. He found joy in the routine, pride in the responsibility, and meaning in the teamwork. “Having a job gave me purpose. It let me socialize, develop skills, and just feel better overall,” he reflects. “The job part is just as important as the personal development.” 

The support Kevin received went far beyond his daily tasks. With the help of a youth development manager and the career services team, Kevin explored college options, toured campuses, and mapped out a future he once thought was out of reach. 

“They didn’t just point me toward college,” Kevin says. “They actually took me on a tour, asked questions on my behalf, made sure I was comfortable and had everything I needed. That’s what makes More Than Words different—they go with you the whole time.” 

Kevin has chosen to pursue aerospace engineering, with a special interest in designing more efficient fuel systems and aerodynamic aircraft. He plans to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute, drawn to its hands-on learning approach. To help fund his education, Kevin is preparing to take a full-time job with the MBTA, which offers college tuition support. 

Today, Kevin has a car, is working toward getting his own apartment, and is laser-focused on his long-term goals. “I don’t think I could have done it by myself,” he admits. “I needed the guidance. I needed the push. And More Than Words gave me that.” 

His story is a powerful reminder that when we invest in young people with real, tangible support—when we provide jobs, mentoring, and consistent encouragement—the results are not abstract. They’re life-changing. They are Kevin, standing at the edge of adulthood, ready to fly. 

“I’m glad I stuck with it. I didn’t give up halfway. I did everything I could possibly do,” Kevin says. “More Than Words helped me this whole time. It was never this clear before.” 

At the end of the day, More Than Words is more than a bookstore, it sustains a youth-centered mission. Behind every shelf and shipping label is a young person building stability, discovering purpose, and writing their next chapter. 

Every book that’s donated, shelved, or shipped plays a part in a larger cycle: promoting sustainability, funding youth programming, and ensuring nothing goes to waste.