Poetry & Spoken-Word Writer (Volunteer)

Poetry & Spoken-Word Writer (Volunteer)
Organization:

Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Division:

Storytelling & Media / PromisePress
Location:

Remote via Google Meet and/or New York City (as needed)
Type:

Volunteer (Unpaid)
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, literacy development, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and storytelling, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people are seen, respected, and valued.
MAP’s storytelling work under

PromisePress

embraces multiple forms of expression—including poetry and spoken word—to honor voice, culture, rhythm, and emotional truth.
Purpose of the Role
The Poetry & Spoken-Word Writer adds lyrical and emotional depth to MAP’s storytelling ecosystem. This role creates poems and spoken-word pieces for books, audio, video, and performance, supporting youth-facing expressive writing projects that center voice, identity, and feeling.
Drawing from music, rhythm, and diverse cultural forms, this writer helps stories move beyond narrative into sound, movement, and emotional resonance.
Key Responsibilities
Write original poems and spoken-word pieces for books, audio, video, and live or recorded performance
Integrate rhythm, musicality, and emotional pacing into written work
Support youth-facing expressive writing and storytelling initiatives
Collaborate with educators, audio producers, performers, and creative teams
Adapt poetry for multiple formats, including print, audio, and video
Ensure work is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and age-appropriate
Participate in creative reviews, readings, and revision cycles as needed
Maintain clear documentation and version control of written pieces
Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours
Take responsibility for continuous improvement by incorporating feedback
Qualifications
Experience in poetry, spoken word, lyrical writing, or performance-based storytelling
Strong command of rhythm, imagery, and emotional expression
Ability to write for both page and voice
Sensitivity to trauma-informed and culturally responsive creative practices
Strong collaboration and communication skills
Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and mission-driven storytelling
Bonus (Not Required)
Experience performing spoken word or poetry publicly
Familiarity with youth-centered or community-based writing programs
Background in music, songwriting, or oral storytelling traditions
Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)
Commitment
Volunteer role, approximately

5–10 hours per week
Minimum 6-month commitment

preferred
Remote collaboration via Google Meet, with optional NYC-based participation
MAP prioritizes consistency, care, and respect for creative labor
What You’ll Gain
Meaningful creative work with direct youth and community impact
Portfolio-ready poems and spoken-word pieces
Collaboration with educators, performers, and multidisciplinary creative teams
Professional references and letters of recommendation
The opportunity to help young people express themselves through rhythm, voice, and story
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.
For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at

hr@mentorapromise.org
Write with rhythm. Speak with truth. Help stories sing, heal, and endure.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, our volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals who are based in the United States. This limitation is due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements associated with our work. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.