Historian (Volunteer)

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. , Organizational Historian (Volunteer) PromiseResearch | Organizational History, Archives & Oral History Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP) Division PromiseResearch Location Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed Commitment Approximately 5–10 hours per week Type Volunteer Leadership Role Minimum Commitment 6-month Commitment Required Reports To Chief of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Research About Mentor A Promise Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support. Our history is more than a record of milestones—it is the story of people, relationships, resilience, and hope. Preserving that history ensures that future generations understand not only what we accomplished, but why the work matters. About PromiseResearch PromiseResearch advances learning, evaluation, and knowledge across Mentor A Promise. The division conducts research, documents organizational learning, evaluates impact, and preserves knowledge that informs programs, policy, advocacy, and continuous improvement. Through research and historical preservation, PromiseResearch ensures that the experiences of children, families, volunteers, staff, and community partners become part of MAP's enduring legacy. Role Overview The Organizational Historian leads the preservation of Mentor A Promise's institutional history while helping build an ethical, trauma-informed historical archive documenting the experiences of the communities we serve. Working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams, this role develops systems to preserve organizational records, collect oral histories, document major milestones, and establish historical archives that tell the story of MAP's growth and impact. The Organizational Historian will also help build a volunteer team dedicated to documenting the broader history of youth and family housing instability through research, oral history, archival projects, and community storytelling—always with informed consent, respect, dignity, privacy, and trauma-informed practices. Key Responsibilities Organizational History Document the history and evolution of Mentor A PromisePreserve significant organizational milestones, programs, publications, and initiativesMaintain historical records, photographs, videos, and digital archivesDevelop archival standards and historical documentation practicesCreate timelines and historical summaries of MAP's development Oral History & Community Archives Develop ethical oral history projects documenting lived experiencesHelp preserve stories of resilience, community, and hope shared by participants, volunteers, and partnersEnsure all historical documentation follows informed consent, privacy, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practicesCollaborate with families and community members to preserve community history respectfullySupport long-term preservation of interviews and archival materials Housing Instability Research Help document the historical context of youth and family housing instabilityResearch historical trends, policies, and community responses related to homelessness and housing insecurityCollaborate with researchers to preserve community knowledge and lived experiencesContribute historical context that informs advocacy, education, and public understanding Team Leadership Recruit, mentor, and support a volunteer historical documentation teamDevelop documentation standards and archival workflowsCoordinate research and oral history projectsPromote ethical historical research and storytelling practicesFoster collaboration across multiple divisions Cross-Divisional Collaboration Partner with PromiseVoice to preserve organizational communicationsCollaborate with PromiseStudios and PromisePages on documentaries, books, podcasts, and multimedia storytellingSupport PromiseMeasure with historical impact reportingWork with PromisePublic to provide historical context for advocacy initiativesAssist executive leadership in preserving institutional knowledge Preferred Qualifications Experience in history, public history, archival science, museum studies, oral history, anthropology, sociology, nonprofit research, journalism, or related fieldsStrong historical research, writing, interviewing, and documentation skillsExcellent organizational and project management abilitiesExperience working with archives, digital collections, or historical preservation is preferredUnderstanding of ethical research, informed consent, privacy, and trauma-informed practicesPassion for preserving community history and amplifying lived experiences with dignity and respect Why This Role Matters Organizations remember through the people who preserve their stories. By documenting Mentor A Promise's history and responsibly preserving the lived experiences of the communities we serve, the Organizational Historian ensures that lessons learned, voices shared, and moments of hope are never lost. History helps us understand where we have been, strengthen where we are today, and guide where we go tomorrow. Success Measures Development of a comprehensive organizational archivePreservation of significant historical records and institutional knowledgeEthical collection and preservation of oral historiesGrowth of a volunteer historical documentation teamStrong collaboration across organizational divisionsMeaningful contributions to MAP's research, education, advocacy, and storytelling initiatives Leadership Participation The Organizational Historian is expected to Attend PromiseResearch leadership meetingsParticipate in regular check-ins with the Chief of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & ResearchCollaborate with leaders across multiple divisionsSupport organization-wide historical preservation and research initiatives Volunteer Expectations Approximately 5–10 hours per weekMinimum 6-month commitment requiredMaintain timely and professional communicationCollaborate through MAP systems and communication platformsSupport MAP's safeguarding standards, privacy requirements, mission, and organizational valuesDemonstrate integrity, cultural humility, historical accuracy, ethical stewardship, and respect for the lived experiences of others What You'll Gain Experience leading historical preservation within a growing nonprofit organizationOpportunities to develop expertise in archival management, oral history, nonprofit research, and institutional documentationCollaboration with researchers, educators, storytellers, and executive leadershipProfessional references and letters of recommendationMeaningful experience preserving the history of an organization committed to advancing dignity, opportunity, and hope for children and families experiencing housing instability How to Apply Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume and cover letter. Please highlight any experience in historical research, archives, oral history, nonprofit research, journalism, museum studies, anthropology, sociology, or related fields. Help preserve the history of Mentor A Promise and ensure that the stories, lessons, and resilience of the communities we serve continue to inspire future generations. 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 programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.