Journalist (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

Journalist (Volunteer)

PromiseReport | Content & Storytelling Division

Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location Remote with NYC-based reporting collaboration as needed

Type Volunteer

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a NYC-based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, education, social-emotional learning, creative expression, publishing, housing innovation, and community-based programs. MAP believes that ethical, rigorous journalism is essential to public understanding, accountability, and systems change—especially when reporting on children, families, and communities experiencing instability.

About PromiseReport

PromiseReport is MAP’s journalism and public-interest reporting department. The department produces deeply reported, trauma-informed, and ethically grounded journalism focused on housing instability, education inequity, youth experience, policy, and community systems.

PromiseReport prioritizes accuracy, dignity, consent, and child safety. Reporting is never extractive or sensational; it is grounded in lived experience, verified data, and responsible storytelling.

Role Overview

The Journalist supports PromiseReport by researching, reporting, and writing stories that illuminate the realities facing children, families, and communities served by MAP. This role contributes to long-form articles, investigative pieces, features, and data-informed reporting aligned with MAP’s editorial standards and public trust commitments.

The Journalist works closely with the Editor-in-Chief, Content & Storytelling leadership, and Data & Research teams to ensure reporting is accurate, ethical, and impactful.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, report, and write journalism aligned with PromiseReport’s editorial mission
• Conduct interviews using trauma-informed, consent-based practices
• Verify facts, sources, and data to ensure accuracy and credibility
• Collaborate with editors to refine structure, clarity, and narrative integrity
• Work with Data & Research teams to incorporate evidence and context
• Uphold child-safety, privacy, and dignity standards in all reporting
• Participate in editorial planning meetings and story development discussions
• Respond professionally and in a timely manner via email and chat in Google Workspace
  
  

Qualifications

• Experience in journalism, reporting, writing, or investigative research
• Strong writing, interviewing, and research skills
• Understanding of ethical journalism practices and source protection
• Ability to report on sensitive topics with care and responsibility
• Comfort working collaboratively with editors and cross-functional teams
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Experience reporting on housing, education, social services, or public policy
• Familiarity with trauma-informed journalism practices
• Experience working with data, public records, or investigative methods
• Background in nonprofit, community-based, or solutions-oriented journalism
• Experience reporting on issues affecting children or families
  
  

Commitment

• Volunteer role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week (varies by story)
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Fully remote with optional NYC-based reporting collaboration
  
  

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience producing ethical, public-interest journalism
• Collaboration with editors, researchers, and storytellers
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Opportunities to publish impactful reporting with real-world relevance
• The chance to contribute to journalism that centers dignity and accountability
  
  

How To Apply

Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required) describing relevant journalism experience and interest in PromiseReport
  
  

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org

Help report the stories that systems overlook—carefully, ethically, and with purpose.

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.