Creative Writing Program Director (Volunteer)

About the role

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a youth-centered nonprofit dedicated to supporting students ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, social-emotional learning, academic enrichment, and creative expression, we create safe, consistent, and empowering spaces for young people to grow, thrive, and succeed. We believe every child deserves a promise kept — and we work every day to make that promise real.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the vision, strategy, and annual plan for MAP’s creative writing programs
• Design and refine curriculum, lesson sequences, and resource libraries (poetry, fiction, memoir, spoken word)
• Recruit, train, schedule, and support writing mentors, teaching artists, and volunteers
• Launch and manage student publications, zines, chapbooks, readings, and showcases
• Build partnerships with schools, libraries, shelters, and arts organizations
• Ensure programming is culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and aligned with SEL
• Establish goals, track participation and outcomes, and deliver impact reports to leadership
• Collaborate with Development on grant narratives, budgets, and success stories
• Care for logistics: calendars, materials, permissions, and safeguarding practices
• Maintain brand and storytelling quality across all creative writing outputs

Requirements

• Significant experience leading arts/education programs or writing workshops
• Strong background in creative writing (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or spoken word)
• Demonstrated ability to manage volunteers/teaching artists and multi-site programs
• Excellent communication, organization, and project management skills
• Commitment to equity, youth voice, and trauma-informed practice

Preferred Skills

• Experience in NYC education or community arts settings
• Curriculum design and assessment experience; familiarity with SEL frameworks
• Editorial/publishing experience (print or digital) and event production
• Grant/report writing or collaboration with development teams
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (e.g., Spanish, Haitian Creole) a plus

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership experience shaping a citywide creative writing initiative
• Opportunity to publish and showcase youth work across MAP platforms and events
• Collaboration with a dedicated, mission-driven team
• Portfolio of curricula, programs, and publications with measurable impact
• Lets of letters of recommendation and professional references for future opportunities

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org