Children’s Book Illustrator Lead (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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Description

Children’s Book Illustrator Lead (Volunteer)

Organization Mentor A Promise

Location Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type Volunteer (Unpaid, Senior Creative Leadership Role)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression, MAP creates safe, consistent, and joyful spaces where young people can grow, imagine, and thrive.

Story and illustration are central to how MAP reaches children—especially those who have experienced trauma, displacement, or instability. Our children’s publishing work focuses on warmth, dignity, representation, and emotional safety.

Role Overview

The Children’s Book Illustrator Lead oversees the visual development of MAP’s children’s books and illustrated storytelling projects. This role shapes the artistic direction of MAP’s publishing efforts—ensuring illustrations are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, emotionally safe, and developmentally appropriate for children who have experienced housing instability.

This is a senior creative leadership role that blends artistic vision, mentorship, and editorial collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the visual direction for MAP’s children’s books and illustrated content
• Develop illustration standards that reflect trauma-informed and child-centered design
• Ensure visual storytelling aligns with literacy, SEL, and cultural sensitivity goals
• Review and guide artwork from illustrators, interns, and volunteers
• Collaborate closely with writers, editors, and educators
• Provide creative feedback and mentorship to junior illustrators
• Ensure consistency of characters, environments, and visual tone across projects
• Support production-ready files and coordination with publishing workflows
  
  

Qualifications

• Professional experience in children’s book illustration or visual storytelling
• Strong understanding of child development, emotional safety, and visual literacy
• Ability to lead creative direction and give thoughtful, constructive feedback
• Experience working collaboratively with writers and editors
• Alignment with MAP’s equity-centered and trauma-informed mission
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Experience illustrating for diverse or underserved communities
• Familiarity with publishing formats (print and digital)
• Background in education, literacy, or SEL-informed media
• Experience mentoring artists or managing creative teams
  
  

Commitment

• Volunteer leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration
  
  

What You’ll Gain

• Creative leadership experience in nonprofit children’s publishing
• Opportunity to shape stories that directly support children in crisis
• Collaboration with writers, educators, and mission-driven creatives
• Professional recognition and letters of recommendation
• A lasting legacy in books that bring comfort, imagination, and hope
  
  

How To Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist. Please add your resume and cover letter.

Help bring stories to life for children who need them most—through art that heals, welcomes, and inspires.

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.