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.
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Disability Justice & Social Impact Writer (Volunteer)
PromisePublic & PromiseVoice | Disability Rights, Accessibility Advocacy & Impact Storytelling
Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Divisions PromisePublic & PromiseVoice
Teams Disability Justice & Accessibility; Blogs & Editorial
Location Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed
Type Volunteer Writing, Research & Advocacy Role
Commitment Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Minimum Commitment 6-month Commitment Required
Reports To Disability Justice & Accessibility Team Leadership and Blogs & Editorial Leadership
Works Closely With Disability Justice & Accessibility Team, Blogs & Editorial Team, Policy & Advocacy Teams, Communications, and other MAP divisions
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative expression, advocacy, and community-centered support.
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, participate, and belong, regardless of their circumstances, abilities, or access needs.
At MAP, accessibility is not an afterthought. It is an essential part of building inclusive programs, equitable opportunities, and communities where everyone can participate meaningfully.
Through education, advocacy, research, and storytelling, we work to increase awareness, challenge systemic barriers, and promote dignity, accessibility, and inclusion.
About PromisePublic & PromiseVoice
PromisePublic leads MAP's public affairs, policy, advocacy, disability justice, accessibility, and community-engagement initiatives.
Its Disability Justice & Accessibility Team promotes inclusive practices, equitable participation, disability rights awareness, and greater understanding of the barriers affecting disabled individuals and communities.
PromiseVoice leads MAP's communications, editorial content, blogs, newsletters, media, and organizational storytelling.
Together, these divisions transform research, policy, lived experiences, and advocacy into accessible, engaging content that informs communities, encourages dialogue, and inspires meaningful action.
Role Overview
MAP is seeking a passionate, thoughtful, and research-driven Disability Justice & Social Impact Writer to help amplify important conversations surrounding disability rights, accessibility, educational equity, and housing instability.
This role offers an opportunity to use writing as a tool for education, advocacy, and social change.
The Writer will research emerging issues, examine systemic barriers, explore disability rights frameworks, and develop compelling articles that make complex topics accessible to diverse audiences.
Content may explore the intersection of disability justice with education, housing, public policy, technology, employment, community accessibility, and the experiences of children and families navigating housing instability.
The Writer will contribute approximately 1–2 original articles per month, collaborating with MAP's disability justice and editorial teams throughout the research, writing, review, and publication process.
We are looking for someone who believes that powerful writing does more than share information.
It helps people understand issues, question assumptions, recognize inequities, and imagine more inclusive possibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Disability Justice Research & Advocacy
- Research disability rights, accessibility, inclusion, and systemic equity issues
- Explore the intersection of disability, housing instability, education, and economic opportunity
- Monitor relevant disability rights developments, policy changes, research, and advocacy initiatives
- Examine barriers affecting disabled children, youth, families, and communities
- Identify emerging topics that deserve greater public attention
- Translate complex research and policy developments into clear, informative content
- Support public education through accurate, balanced, and research-informed writing
Social Impact Writing & Storytelling
- Develop approximately 1–2 original articles per month
- Create compelling, informative, and engaging content for MAP's digital platforms
- Develop article concepts, headlines, outlines, and research plans
- Write stories that connect disability justice issues to broader social challenges
- Contribute to blogs, newsletters, digital publications, and special editorial initiatives as appropriate
- Explore human-centered approaches to complex social issues
- Collaborate with editors to strengthen clarity, structure, and impact
- Maintain consistent writing quality and editorial deadlines
Disability Rights & Policy Education
Research and develop content exploring topics such as
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Fair Housing Act
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Educational accommodations and accessibility
- Universal Design for Learning
- Disability justice frameworks
- Inclusive education
- Housing accessibility
- Disability representation
- Digital accessibility
- Employment and economic inclusion
- Community accessibility
- Emerging disability rights developments
Help readers understand how policies, institutional practices, and systemic barriers affect opportunities for disabled individuals and families.
Accessible & Inclusive Communication
- Apply accessibility principles to written content
- Use clear, respectful, and inclusive language
- Structure articles with meaningful headings and logical organization
- Support accessible formatting and image descriptions
- Develop content appropriate for audiences with diverse communication and accessibility needs
- Avoid stereotypes, stigmatizing language, and harmful assumptions
- Respect individual preferences regarding disability-related terminology
- Incorporate Universal Design principles where appropriate
- Help make complex topics understandable without sacrificing accuracy or depth
Ethical Storytelling & Editorial Integrity
- Uphold MAP's dignity-centered approach to storytelling
- Represent disability-related experiences with accuracy, sensitivity, and respect
- Avoid sensationalizing disability, poverty, housing instability, or personal hardship
- Protect confidential and identifying information
- Respect consent, privacy, and individual autonomy
- Verify factual claims and use credible sources
- Distinguish research findings, legal requirements, interpretations, and opinions
- Follow MAP's safeguarding, editorial, and organizational standards
- Ensure advocacy-related content receives appropriate review before publication
Editorial Collaboration & Content Development
- Collaborate with the Blogs & Editorial Team on content planning
- Participate in editorial discussions and brainstorming
- Submit drafts for review and incorporate feedback
- Coordinate with Disability Justice & Accessibility leadership on subject-matter accuracy
- Maintain organized research notes, references, and draft materials
- Support publication schedules and editorial priorities
- Contribute ideas for recurring article series and special features
- Help strengthen MAP's disability justice editorial presence
Cross-Divisional Collaboration
- Partner with PromisePublic on disability justice, accessibility, and policy-related topics
- Collaborate with PromiseVoice on editorial development, publishing, and audience engagement
- Work with PromiseLearning on inclusive education and educational accessibility topics
- Coordinate with PromisePrograms when exploring youth-serving initiatives
- Consult PromiseGovernance or PromiseTrust when governance or legal review is appropriate
- Support broader organizational communications and awareness initiatives
Core Areas of Responsibility
Research & Analysis
Responsible for
- Disability justice research
- Accessibility research
- Policy analysis
- Source verification
- Emerging issue identification
Writing & Storytelling
Responsible for
- Original article development
- Social impact storytelling
- Editorial research
- Article revisions
- Publication-ready content
Accessibility & Inclusion
Responsible for
- Inclusive language
- Accessible writing
- Universal Design considerations
- Respectful representation
- Readability and clarity
Advocacy & Public Education
Responsible for
- Disability rights awareness
- Policy education
- Systemic barrier analysis
- Community-focused storytelling
- Informative public engagement
Editorial Accountability
Responsible for
- Meeting writing deadlines
- Participating in editorial reviews
- Maintaining research accuracy
- Incorporating feedback
- Following publication standards
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong writing, research, and storytelling abilities
- Demonstrated interest in disability justice, accessibility, advocacy, or social equity
- Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and engagingly
- Strong critical-thinking and analytical skills
- Excellent written communication and attention to detail
- Familiarity with disability rights, inclusive education, accessibility, or public policy
- Experience writing articles, blogs, research summaries, newsletters, or other editorial content
- Ability to work collaboratively with editors and subject-matter experts
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Commitment to ethical storytelling, confidentiality, and responsible communication
- Passion for MAP's mission and the communities we serve
Experience in disability advocacy, journalism, nonprofit communications, public policy, education, disability studies, accessibility, or related fields is especially valuable.
Applicants with lived disability experience are encouraged to apply. Disclosure of personal disability or medical information is not required.
Why This Role Matters
Stories shape understanding.
Understanding shapes attitudes.
Attitudes influence the systems, policies, and opportunities available to people.
Disability justice is not simply about recognizing that barriers exist. It is about understanding how those barriers are created, who they affect, and what meaningful inclusion requires.
For children and families experiencing housing instability, disability-related challenges may intersect with educational access, housing systems, public services, and economic inequality.
These issues deserve thoughtful examination and accessible public discussion.
The Disability Justice & Social Impact Writer helps bring these conversations forward through research, education, and responsible storytelling.
Every article is an opportunity to challenge misconceptions, expand awareness, and contribute to a more informed and inclusive community.
Success Measures
- Publication of approximately 1–2 well-researched articles per month
- Quality, accuracy, and credibility of written content
- Consistent application of accessibility and editorial standards
- Effective collaboration with disability justice and editorial teams
- Timely completion of drafts and revisions
- Coverage of relevant disability justice and accessibility issues
- Development of informative and engaging social impact content
- Contribution to MAP's public education and awareness initiatives
- Growth in the depth and diversity of disability justice topics explored
Team Participation
The Disability Justice & Social Impact Writer is expected to
- Participate in weekly Disability Justice & Accessibility Team check-ins
- Participate in weekly Blogs & Editorial Team check-ins
- Collaborate on article planning and editorial calendars
- Communicate progress, research needs, and challenges
- Incorporate editorial feedback professionally
- Maintain reliable deadlines and follow-through
- Contribute to respectful and inclusive team discussions
- Support collaboration across PromisePublic and PromiseVoice
Volunteer Expectations
- Approximately 5–10 hours per week
- Minimum 6-month commitment required
- Produce approximately 1–2 original articles per month
- Maintain timely and professional communication
- Follow MAP's editorial, accessibility, and safeguarding standards
- Participate in required team meetings
- Respect confidentiality, privacy, and consent requirements
- Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
- Support MAP's mission and organizational values
- Provide at least two weeks' notice when ending volunteer service whenever possible
What You'll Gain
- Meaningful writing and research experience focused on disability justice and social impact
- Opportunities to develop published work and strengthen a professional writing portfolio
- Experience translating complex research and policy issues into accessible public-facing content
- Collaboration with disability justice advocates, editors, communications professionals, and nonprofit leaders
- Greater understanding of disability rights, inclusive education, accessibility, and systemic equity
- Opportunities to contribute to newsletters, special editorial features, and broader public education initiatives
- Professional references and letters of recommendation
- Meaningful experience supporting a nonprofit dedicated to children and families experiencing housing instability
How To Apply
Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume and cover letter.
Writing samples, published articles, research pieces, or other relevant examples of written work are welcomed.
Please highlight experience or interests involving disability justice, accessibility, advocacy, journalism, social impact writing, public policy, research, education, or related disciplines.
We welcome candidates from diverse professional and educational backgrounds who demonstrate strong writing ability, intellectual curiosity, reliability, and a commitment to ethical, accessible storytelling.
Your words can inform.
Your research can challenge assumptions.
Your stories can help people see issues from perspectives they may never have considered.
Help Mentor A Promise bring disability justice, accessibility, and inclusion into meaningful public conversations—and use the power of writing to advance understanding, dignity, and social impact.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and nonprofit regulatory requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.
