Teen LEEP, Inc.

CONTACT:

More Than Words Bookstore, 376 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02453
781-788-0035
www.teenleep.org

Jodi Rosenbaum Tillinger, Director, Teen LEEP

DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 2001, Rediscovery House provides a continuum of services to prepare youth in state custody, who have been bounced around the foster care system for years, to their transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency. It provides residential, educational, vocational and clincial opportunities that will enable these kids to lead happy, productive lives. As a new addition to its services, Rediscovery House has partnered with an organization called Teen LEEP (Leadership, Employment & Entrepreneurship Program) to incubate an online bookselling social enterprise. The program is designed to give youth the necessary technology, social and professionals skills to succeed in the workplace. Teen LEEP receives book donations from the community by coordinating book drives, and youth participants are responsible for posting book listings on websites, maintaining an organized inventory system, processing orders, and shipping the books. To supplement its online business, Teen LEEP recently opened a retail bookstore and gallery in Waltham, which is managed by young people. There are many ways to get involved here; Teen LEEP is looking for donors to support store operations, including stipends for the youth and their ongoing employment, the entrepreneurship and technology training they receive, coordinating book drives, helping with business plan development, volunteering in the bookstore, or offering business, technology or employment workshops. This is exciting, entrepreneurial, and effective. Please help.

(2005,: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: General)