Director of Creative Writing (Volunteer)

Director of Creative Writing (Volunteer)
PromisePages | Creative Writing Department
Organization:

Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Location:

Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed
Type:

Volunteer
Reports To:

Chief of Content & Storytelling
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, education, social-emotional learning (SEL), creative expression, publishing, and community-based programs. At MAP, creative expression is essential to learning, healing, and identity development.
Writing is not treated as an extracurricular activity—it is a core pathway to literacy, self-understanding, and empowerment.
About PromisePages | Creative Writing Department
PromisePages

is MAP’s creative writing and literary development department. It leads youth writing programs, publishing initiatives, editorial development, and narrative projects that elevate youth voice while upholding ethical, trauma-informed, and dignity-centered storytelling standards.
PromisePages bridges literacy development, creative practice, and public storytelling—ensuring young writers are supported, protected, and celebrated at every stage of their growth.
Role Overview
We are seeking a

Director of Creative Writing

to lead the vision, structure, and quality of MAP’s creative writing initiatives within PromisePages. This senior leadership role sets the creative and pedagogical direction for youth writing programs and oversees alignment across education, publishing, and storytelling efforts.
The Director works closely with the

Chief of Content & Storytelling , Education leadership, Publishing teams, and Program Directors to ensure writing initiatives advance literacy, SEL goals, and ethical storytelling practices.
Key Responsibilities
Set the creative writing philosophy and standards across PromisePages initiatives
Oversee youth creative writing programs, workshops, and literary projects
Ensure writing spaces are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessible
Collaborate with Education and SEL leadership to align writing with learning goals
Partner with Publishing and Editorial teams to guide narrative quality and integrity
Support youth voice, identity development, and authorship across programs
Guide facilitators, editors, and contributors through clear creative frameworks
Establish review, feedback, and quality assurance processes
Maintain timely, professional responsiveness via email and chat in Google Workspace
Qualifications
Experience in creative writing, literature, publishing, or writing program leadership
Strong understanding of youth-centered and trauma-informed writing practices
Experience developing or overseeing writing programs or editorial initiatives
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to mentor writers and collaborate across disciplines
Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values
Preferred Skills
Experience in nonprofit education, youth arts, or literary organizations
Background in poetry, fiction, memoir, journalism, or hybrid literary forms
Experience working with editors, educators, or teaching artists
Familiarity with culturally responsive and identity-affirming pedagogy
Experience supporting distributed creative teams
Commitment
Volunteer senior leadership role
Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration
What You’ll Gain
Leadership experience shaping youth-centered creative writing at scale
Direct impact on youth literacy, voice, and storytelling power
Collaboration with executive leadership and creative teams
Professional references and letters of recommendation
A meaningful role advancing ethical, dignity-centered literary work
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit:
Resume (required)
Cover letter (required) describing relevant creative writing or literary leadership experience and interest in MAP’s mission
For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at

hr@mentorapromise.org
Help cultivate stories that restore voice, imagination, and dignity—so young people can write themselves into possibility.
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.