Fashion Designer – Firefighter Safety & Innovation Project (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.

Role: Fashion Designer – Firefighter Safety & Innovation Project (Volunteer)
Through Thread & Promise and MAP’s Community Impact Lab, we bring together designers, engineers, scientists, and storytellers to address real‑world challenges that affect families, first responders, and communities. The Fire We Carry Project focuses on reimagining firefighter gear to reduce cancer risk, eliminate toxic materials, and prioritize long‑term health and dignity for first responders.

Why This Role Matters
Firefighters face disproportionately high cancer rates due to prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals, PFAS, and hazardous materials embedded in traditional turnout gear. This role exists to ensure that design, function, safety, and humanity are never in conflict. The Fashion Designer brings a design‑led, human‑centered approach to protective equipment—balancing performance, ergonomics, durability, and comfort with toxin‑free, cancer‑safe materials. It is design as protection, care, and justice.

What You’ll Do

Design firefighter turnout gear components (coats, pants, base layers, accessories) with a focus on safety, comfort, and long‑term health.

Collaborate with material scientists, engineers, occupational therapists, and firefighters to translate safety requirements into functional design.

Develop design concepts, sketches, and technical drawings aligned with performance and safety standards.

Consider ergonomics, mobility, heat stress, breathability, and usability in high‑risk environments.

Support prototyping and iteration of new gear concepts using toxin‑free and PFAS‑free materials.

Participate in design reviews and feedback sessions with cross‑disciplinary teams.

Ensure designs reflect dignity, respect, and real‑world firefighter experience.

Document design rationale and revisions clearly for collaboration and research purposes.

Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.

Take responsibility for performance improvement by refining designs based on testing and feedback.

How MAP Supports You

Clear role scope and collaborative leadership.

Respect for time, capacity, and boundaries.

Cross‑disciplinary mentorship with scientists, engineers, and clinicians.

Ethical, mission‑driven design environment.

Professional references and letters of recommendation.

Recognition of your work as life‑protective, not speculative or extractive.

What We’re Looking For

Experience in fashion design, technical apparel, or functional garment design.

Strong understanding of garment construction, fit, and material behavior.

Ability to design for function, safety, and durability—not trend cycles.

Comfort collaborating across disciplines (engineering, science, health, safety).

Strong communication and documentation skills.

Commitment to ethical, safety‑first, and human‑centered design.

Bonus (Not Required)

Experience with technical or protective apparel (PPE, workwear, sportswear).

Knowledge of sustainability, non‑toxic materials, or textile innovation.

Familiarity with NFPA standards or firefighter equipment (helpful but not required).

Experience working with first responders or safety professionals.

Commitment

Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week.

Minimum 6‑month commitment preferred.

Hybrid: New York City and/or remote via Google Meet.

MAP prioritizes care, precision, and sustainability over speed.

What You’ll Gain

Portfolio‑worthy work in life‑saving design and innovation.

Experience collaborating on a real‑world public health and safety initiative.

Exposure to materials science, human factors, and occupational safety design.

Professional references and letters of recommendation.

The opportunity to contribute to equipment that protects those who protect others.

How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist. For any additional questions or concerns, please e‑mail us at

hr@mentorapromise.org . Design with responsibility — help reimagine firefighter gear that prioritizes health, dignity, and long‑term safety.

Eligibility
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.

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