Academic and Emotional Support Specialist (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.

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Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location Remote with potential NYC-based collaboration

Type Volunteer

Role Overview The Academic and Emotional Support Specialist will advise MAP on

student-centered strategies that support academic progress, emotional well-being, resilience,

and long-term opportunity for youth experiencing housing instability. This role will help translate

research findings and survey results into practical program recommendations, including tutoring,

mentoring, social-emotional learning, counseling referrals, trauma-informed support, and other

interventions that reflect MAP’s commitment to dignity, safety, and empowerment.

Key Responsibilities Review research and survey findings related to student academic and

emotional needs; recommend academic enrichment and social-emotional support strategies;

help identify measurable student outcome goals; advise on trauma-informed and culturally

responsive approaches; support development of MAP’s service delivery model; and contribute to

recommendations in the final action plan.

Qualifications Background or experience in education, counseling, social work, psychology,

youth development, school support services, trauma-informed practice, or social-emotional

learning; strong understanding of student support needs; ability to design practical

recommendations for vulnerable youth populations.

What You’ll Gain Experience shaping student-centered support models for a youth-focused

nonprofit and contributing to programs that help students build confidence, belonging, academic

growth, and emotional resilience.