Immigrant Journeys & Cultural Storytelling Writer (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. , Immigrant Journeys & Cultural Storytelling Writer (Volunteer) PromiseVoice | Immigration Stories, Cultural Heritage & Human Experiences Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP) Division PromiseVoice Location Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed Type Volunteer Writing, Journalism & Cultural Storytelling Role Commitment Approximately 5–10 hours per week Minimum Commitment 6-month Commitment Required Reports To Blogs & Editorial Leadership Works Closely With PromiseVoice, PromisePages, PromisePublic, PromiseStudios, Editorial Teams, and Community Partners 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. At MAP, we believe every person carries a story worth understanding. New York City is home to people whose lives and experiences span continents, cultures, languages, traditions, and generations. Behind every journey to America is a unique human experience shaped by family, identity, opportunity, hardship, discovery, hope, and the search for belonging. Through storytelling, we seek to celebrate these experiences, preserve personal histories, build understanding across cultures, and recognize the extraordinary richness that people bring to their communities. About PromiseVoice PromiseVoice is MAP's communications, editorial, journalism, storytelling, and public engagement division. Through blogs, newsletters, interviews, digital publications, and collaborative media projects, PromiseVoice explores ideas, experiences, and issues that shape individuals and communities. Our storytelling seeks to connect people across backgrounds, generations, and perspectives. We believe powerful stories do more than inform. They help us recognize ourselves in others. Role Overview MAP is seeking a curious, compassionate, and talented Immigrant Journeys & Cultural Storytelling Writer to document and celebrate the remarkable experiences of individuals and families who have made their way to the United States. This role explores the personal journeys of people from Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and communities around the world. Every journey is different. Some individuals arrived seeking educational or economic opportunities. Others left countries affected by political repression, authoritarianism, communism, conflict, persecution, or economic hardship. Some came to reunite with family, pursue a dream, discover new possibilities, or begin an entirely different chapter of life. Others Experienced Migration Through Circumstances They Did Not Choose. Yet across these different histories, universal human experiences often emerge love, sacrifice, uncertainty, resilience, ambition, identity, family, hope, and belonging. The Writer will help bring these experiences to life through interviews, personal narratives, cultural features, historical research, and thoughtful storytelling. The goal is not to portray every immigration experience as either a tragedy or a success story. It is to capture the full humanity of each journey, including its beauty, challenges, contradictions, discoveries, and possibilities. Key Responsibilities Immigrant Journeys & Personal Narratives Research and write compelling stories about individuals who have migrated to the United StatesExplore personal experiences before, during, and after migrationHighlight family histories, cultural identities, traditions, aspirations, and personal achievementsDocument stories of courage, adaptation, discovery, and belongingExplore how migration influences identity across generationsCapture the individuality of each person's experience without reducing people to immigration labelsCelebrate the meaningful contributions immigrants make to American communities Global Cultures & Historical Experiences Explore stories connected to diverse countries, regions, and historical circumstances. Potential areas include Central American migration and family historiesSouth American political, cultural, and economic experiencesEuropean migration across different historical periodsAsian immigration and cultural heritageAfrican and Caribbean migration experiencesMigration from countries affected by communist governments or other authoritarian systemsExperiences involving political repression, persecution, conflict, or displacementEducational, professional, and economic migrationFamily reunification and multigenerational migrationCultural identity and the experience of building a life in a new country Research should reflect historical complexity and avoid treating any country, political system, or community as having a single story. Cultural Heritage & Universal Human Experiences Explore traditions, languages, food, music, literature, celebrations, and cultural practicesHighlight how individuals preserve cultural identities while adapting to new environmentsExamine intergenerational relationships and family traditionsExplore the meaning of home, identity, belonging, and communityShare experiences that reveal common human aspirations across different culturesCelebrate cultural exchange and the ways communities influence one anotherHelp readers appreciate both the differences and similarities that shape human experience Interviews & Oral History Identify and interview individuals interested in sharing their personal journeysDevelop thoughtful, respectful, and culturally sensitive interview questionsCreate opportunities for participants to tell their stories in their own wordsConduct interviews remotely or through approved arrangementsDocument personal histories with accuracy and careVerify names, dates, historical references, and other factual details when appropriateObtain appropriate consent before recording, quoting, or publishing personal experiencesRespect requests for anonymity, confidentiality, or limitations on sensitive information No participant should feel pressured to disclose immigration status, traumatic experiences, political beliefs, or other private information. Writing & Editorial Development Produce approximately 1–2 original articles or storytelling features per monthDevelop engaging titles, introductions, narratives, and interview-based profilesCreate stories that are informative, emotionally resonant, and accessibleWork with editorial leadership to develop story ideas and publication schedulesIncorporate editorial feedback and fact-checkingMaintain organized research notes and source materialsSupport publication through MAP's blogs, newsletters, and other approved platformsExplore opportunities for recurring storytelling series Historical & Cultural Research Research relevant historical, political, economic, and social contextsExamine how global events influence individual migration experiencesDistinguish personal recollections from independently verified historical factsConsult credible historical, academic, and journalistic sourcesProvide appropriate context without overwhelming the individual's storyAvoid stereotypes, sweeping generalizations, or one-dimensional portrayalsPresent sensitive political and historical subjects with accuracy, nuance, and respect Ethical & Dignity-Centered Storytelling Center the agency, dignity, and individuality of each storytellerAvoid sensationalizing trauma, displacement, poverty, or political persecutionRespect participants' choices about what they wish to shareProtect sensitive personal and identifying informationFollow MAP's consent, safeguarding, privacy, and editorial standardsRecognize that not every immigrant experience involves hardship and not every journey ends in the same wayAvoid framing individuals solely through suffering or extraordinary achievementSupport nonpartisan, research-informed, and respectful storytellingEnsure participants understand how their stories may be used and published Cross-Divisional Collaboration Partner with PromiseVoice on editorial strategy, articles, and digital publicationsCollaborate with PromisePages on literary storytelling, oral histories, and potential publishing initiativesWork with PromiseStudios on documentary, video, photography, or podcast adaptations when appropriateCoordinate with PromisePublic on historical and policy context where relevantEngage community partners and cultural organizations through appropriate MAP channelsContribute to collaborative storytelling projects that connect people across backgrounds and generations Potential Storytelling Themes The Journey to America Stories about the experiences, decisions, hopes, and circumstances that shaped someone's journey. The Home We Carry Stories exploring cultural heritage, language, food, family traditions, and memories of home. Across Generations Stories about parents, grandparents, children, and how identity and belonging evolve across generations. Freedom, Opportunity & New Beginnings Personal experiences involving political systems, freedom, education, professional opportunity, and the search for a different future. Two Worlds, One Story Stories about navigating multiple cultural identities and finding belonging across countries and communities. The People Who Shaped Us Stories about teachers, neighbors, relatives, mentors, and others who influenced someone's journey. What America Became Reflections on expectations, discoveries, challenges, achievements, and the realities of building a life in the United States. Preferred Qualifications Strong writing, interviewing, research, or storytelling abilitiesInterest in immigration, cultural heritage, history, journalism, or human experiencesAbility to write engaging and emotionally meaningful narrativesStrong listening skills and genuine curiosity about othersRespect for different cultures, backgrounds, languages, and perspectivesExperience conducting interviews or developing personal profiles is valuableAbility to research historical and cultural contexts accuratelyStrong written communication and editorial judgmentAbility to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and discretionExcellent organization and time managementWillingness to incorporate editorial feedbackCommitment to MAP's dignity-centered mission Experience in journalism, creative nonfiction, oral history, cultural studies, anthropology, sociology, literature, immigration studies, or community storytelling is particularly welcome. Multilingual abilities and personal or family experiences with migration are valuable but are not required. Why This Role Matters America is shaped by millions of individual journeys. Some began with a suitcase. Others began with a difficult goodbye. Some were inspired by opportunity, education, love, or adventure. Others were shaped by political upheaval, uncertainty, family separation, or the hope of living differently. Every journey carries more than the story of arrival. It carries memories of another home, lessons from another culture, relationships across borders, and the ongoing experience of becoming. A person's journey may begin in a small village in Central America, a city in South America, a community in Eastern Europe, a neighborhood in Asia, or somewhere else entirely. The circumstances may differ dramatically, yet the human experiences of family, love, uncertainty, ambition, identity, and belonging often connect us. Through these stories, we hope readers discover more than the experiences of people who came to America. We hope they discover something about humanity itself. Success Measures Publication of approximately 1–2 original stories or features per monthQuality, accuracy, and depth of personal narrativesRepresentation of diverse countries, cultures, and migration experiencesRespectful and ethical interviewing practicesStrong historical and cultural researchConsistent collaboration with editorial leadershipTimely completion of writing and revisionsDevelopment of engaging and meaningful storytelling seriesContribution to cross-cultural understanding and public education Team Participation The Immigrant Journeys & Cultural Storytelling Writer is expected to Participate in relevant Blogs & Editorial Team meetingsCollaborate on story planning and publication calendarsCommunicate research progress and interview needsMaintain reliable writing deadlinesParticipate in editorial reviewsIncorporate feedback professionallyCoordinate interviews and storytelling projects through approved MAP channelsContribute to a respectful and inclusive editorial environment Volunteer Expectations Approximately 5–10 hours per weekMinimum 6-month commitment requiredProduce approximately 1–2 original stories or features per monthMaintain timely and professional communicationFollow MAP's editorial, privacy, consent, and safeguarding standardsRespect confidentiality and the autonomy of interview participantsCollaborate through MAP systems and communication platformsSupport MAP's mission and organizational valuesProvide at least two weeks' notice when ending volunteer service whenever possible What You'll Gain Meaningful experience in cultural journalism, creative nonfiction, and human-centered storytellingOpportunities to develop published work and a professional writing portfolioExperience interviewing people from diverse cultural and historical backgroundsGreater understanding of global migration, cultural heritage, and human experiencesCollaboration with writers, editors, researchers, documentary creators, and nonprofit professionalsOpportunities to contribute to special editorial series and interdisciplinary storytelling projectsProfessional references and letters of recommendationThe opportunity to preserve meaningful personal histories and strengthen understanding across communities How To Apply Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume and cover letter. Writing samples, published articles, personal essays, interview-based features, or other examples of storytelling are strongly encouraged. Please highlight relevant experience or interests involving journalism, creative writing, cultural storytelling, immigration, oral history, historical research, anthropology, sociology, literature, or related disciplines. We welcome writers from diverse backgrounds who bring curiosity, empathy, strong research skills, and a genuine interest in understanding the experiences of others. Every journey begins somewhere. Every person carries a world of memories, experiences, and possibilities. Every culture has something meaningful to share. Help Mentor A Promise tell the stories of people who have crossed borders, carried traditions, embraced new beginnings, and contributed to the extraordinary human tapestry of America. Because behind every journey is a person—and every person has a story worth telling. 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.