Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.
,
Poetry & Spoken-Word Writer (Volunteer)
Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Division Storytelling & Media / PromisePress
Location Remote via Google Meet and/or New York City (as needed)
Type Volunteer (Unpaid)
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, literacy development, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and storytelling, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people are seen, respected, and valued.
MAP’s storytelling work under
PromisePress embraces multiple forms of expression—including poetry and spoken word—to honor voice, culture, rhythm, and emotional truth.
Purpose of the Role
The Poetry & Spoken-Word Writer adds lyrical and emotional depth to MAP’s storytelling ecosystem. This role creates poems and spoken-word pieces for books, audio, video, and performance, supporting youth-facing expressive writing projects that center voice, identity, and feeling.
Drawing from music, rhythm, and diverse cultural forms, this writer helps stories move beyond narrative into sound, movement, and emotional resonance.
Key Responsibilities
- Write original poems and spoken-word pieces for books, audio, video, and live or recorded performance
- Integrate rhythm, musicality, and emotional pacing into written work
- Support youth-facing expressive writing and storytelling initiatives
- Collaborate with educators, audio producers, performers, and creative teams
- Adapt poetry for multiple formats, including print, audio, and video
- Ensure work is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and age-appropriate
- Participate in creative reviews, readings, and revision cycles as needed
- Maintain clear documentation and version control of written pieces
- Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours
- Take responsibility for continuous improvement by incorporating feedback
Qualifications
- Experience in poetry, spoken word, lyrical writing, or performance-based storytelling
- Strong command of rhythm, imagery, and emotional expression
- Ability to write for both page and voice
- Sensitivity to trauma-informed and culturally responsive creative practices
- Strong collaboration and communication skills
- Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and mission-driven storytelling
Bonus (Not Required)
- Experience performing spoken word or poetry publicly
- Familiarity with youth-centered or community-based writing programs
- Background in music, songwriting, or oral storytelling traditions
- Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)
Commitment
- Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week
- Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
- Remote collaboration via Google Meet, with optional NYC-based participation
- MAP prioritizes consistency, care, and respect for creative labor
What You’ll Gain
- Meaningful creative work with direct youth and community impact
- Portfolio-ready poems and spoken-word pieces
- Collaboration with educators, performers, and multidisciplinary creative teams
- Professional references and letters of recommendation
- The opportunity to help young people express themselves through rhythm, voice, and story
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.
For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at
hr@mentorapromise.org
Write with rhythm. Speak with truth. Help stories sing, heal, and endure.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, our volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals who are based in the United States. This limitation is due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements associated with our work. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.
