Creative Writing Teacher (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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Creative Writing Teacher (Volunteer)

PromiseStudios | Creative Writing Education, Storytelling & Literary Learning

Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division PromiseStudios

Location Remote / Hybrid (NYC Collaboration as Needed)

Type Volunteer Educational & Creative Role

Reports To Chief of Content & Storytelling, Sabrina

Works Closely With PromiseStudios Creative Teams, PromisePress, PromiseVoice, Educational Leadership, Creative Volunteers, and Youth Programming Teams

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, and creative opportunity.

At MAP, writing is more than language on a page.

It is reflection, imagination, memory, and a pathway toward confidence, expression, and voice.

Within PromiseStudios, creative writing becomes storytelling, literary exploration, emotional expression, and an opportunity for young people to shape and share their experiences through words.

About PromiseStudios | Creative Storytelling, Publishing & Literary Arts

PromiseStudios is MAP’s creative media and storytelling division responsible for writing, publishing, filmmaking, podcasting, visual storytelling, educational media, and creative production.

The division creates spaces where young people and creatives can explore

• Storytelling
• Creative writing and literary arts
• Publishing and expression
• Creative collaboration
• Literacy and communication
• Artistic identity
• Professional creative growth
  
  

PromiseStudios helps transform imagination and lived experience into meaningful stories and literary work.

Role Overview

Mentor A Promise is seeking a passionate and collaborative Creative Writing Teacher to support students and creative volunteers through engaging, trauma-informed creative writing education and literary mentorship.

This role focuses not only on introducing writing fundamentals, but also on helping strengthen and elevate the voices of MAP’s growing creative community.

We are seeking educators who can help writers

• Develop literary voice
• Strengthen storytelling skills
• Explore poetry, fiction, memoir, and narrative writing
• Build confidence in written expression
• Learn creative and professional writing practices
  
  

The Creative Writing Teacher works closely with PromiseStudios teams to create learning experiences that are

• Joyful
• Accessible
• Encouraging
• Reflective
• Professionally enriching
  
  

This is a creative education and literary development role focused on storytelling, writing, and long-term artistic growth.

Core Responsibilities

Creative Writing Education & Literary Instruction

Teach and support

• Creative writing fundamentals
• Story structure and narrative development
• Poetry and literary expression
• Fiction and memoir writing
• Character and dialogue development
• Reflective and imaginative writing
• Writing exercises and creative projects
  
  

Help create engaging and accessible literary learning experiences.

Storytelling & Literary Development

Guide and support

• Student writing projects
• Poetry and prose development
• Personal and imaginative storytelling
• Writing workshops and peer feedback
• Creative experimentation and literary exploration
• Collaborative storytelling and publication projects
  
  

Help writers understand how language can communicate story, emotion, and identity.

Writer Development & Creative Mentorship

Support

• Developing writers and creative volunteers
• Literary voice and confidence-building
• Portfolio and writing sample development
• Constructive feedback and revision practices
• Creative and intellectual growth
• Individual and collaborative writing projects
  
  

Provide mentorship that strengthens both artistic expression and writing craft.

Writing Tools & Literary Learning

Introduce and support learning involving

• Writing and revision practices
• Literary techniques and storytelling methods
• Creative workflows and writing routines
• Publishing and editorial processes
• Reading and literary inspiration
• Professional and emerging writing practices
  
  

Help writers grow through exposure to both foundational and contemporary literary approaches.

Professional Development & Creative Growth

Support a culture of continuous literary learning by helping

• Expand storytelling and writing skills
• Explore workshops and guest learning opportunities
• Encourage portfolio and literary identity development
• Identify pathways toward publication, writing programs, certifications, and continued literary learning when available
• Foster curiosity, imagination, and lifelong writing practice
  
  

At MAP, learning continues beyond the classroom and project space.

Creative Collaboration & Storytelling Support

Collaborate closely with

• PromiseStudios creative teams
• PromisePress and publishing teams
• PromiseVoice editorial teams
• Educational leadership
• Creative volunteers
• Youth programming staff
  
  

Support writing connected to

• MAP storytelling initiatives
• Literary and educational media
• Publishing and children’s books
• Podcasts and creative campaigns
• Youth-led storytelling and creative expression
  
  

Qualifications

We welcome applicants from diverse literary and creative backgrounds.

Helpful experience may include

• Creative writing
• Poetry or fiction
• Literary arts
• Publishing or editorial work
• Storytelling
• Journalism or communications
• Writing instruction
• Arts or literacy education
  
  

Strong candidates often demonstrate

• Literary and storytelling ability
• Communication and mentorship skills
• Collaboration and patience
• Passion for literacy and youth development
• Commitment to accessible and trauma-informed learning practices
  
  

Experience with creative writing, literary instruction, or publishing is highly valued.

Why This Role Matters

Writing gives language to imagination and voice to experience.

This role helps young people—and the creatives who support them—grow not only as writers, but as storytellers, thinkers, and lifelong learners.

At MAP, we are building literary spaces where

• Voices are nurtured
• Skills are strengthened
• Confidence is developed
• Stories are honored
• Opportunity continues to expand
  
  

Writing reminds young people that their words—and their stories—matter.

Commitment

Volunteer educational and creative role

Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Minimum 6-month Commitment Required

Remote / hybrid collaboration

US-based volunteers only

Responsive communication through MAP systems

48-hour communication expectation

Participation in MAP onboarding and safeguarding processes

What You’ll Gain

• Experience teaching and mentoring within a mission-driven creative environment
• Opportunity to help shape creative writing and literary education initiatives
• Collaboration with writers, educators, publishers, and storytellers
• Portfolio-building educational and creative leadership experience
• Meaningful impact supporting youth literacy and storytelling
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
  
  

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and submit

• Resume
• Writing samples or literary portfolio
• Brief statement of interest
  
  

Please share experience involving

• Creative writing or literary arts
• Teaching or mentorship
• Publishing or storytelling
• Youth engagement or literacy development
  
  

Help bring stories to life through PromiseStudios.

Because writing, imagination, and storytelling can help young people discover voices worth sharing and futures worth writing.

This role holds the pieces together.

From language to imagination to creative growth—help ensure every writer is supported before they create.

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.