Mentor A Promise is hiring: Volunteer Illustrator: Inspiring Kids' Stories in Ne

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.

Children’s Book Illustrator (Volunteer)
Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Location: Remote (with potential NYC‑based collaboration)
Job Type: Volunteer
About Mentor A Promise
Mandart A Promise (MAP) is a youth‑centered nonprofit dedicated to supporting students ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, social‑emotional learning, academic enrichment, and creative expression, we create safe, consistent, and empowering spaces for young people to grow, thrive, and succeed. We believe every child deserves a promise kept — and we work every day to make that promise real.

Role Overview
We are seeking Volunteer Children’s Book Illustrators to collaborate with MAP’s Children’s Book Writers and creative team in bringing youth‑centered stories to life. Your illustrations will help create engaging, diverse, and empowering books that reflect MAP’s mission of mentorship, resilience, and hope. The ideal candidate is a creative visual storyteller with a passion for children’s literature and a commitment to uplifting underserved youth.

Key Responsibilities

Illustrate children’s stories developed by MAP’s writers and creative team

Create artwork that reflects diverse, inclusive, and empowering themes

Collaborate with writers and program staff to align illustrations with story content

Provide sketches, drafts, and final illustrations within agreed timelinesSupport the development of print and digital publications for MAP’s literacy initiatives

Contribute to workshops, readings, or campaigns that showcase MAP’s children’s books

Requirements

Proven experience in illustration, with a portfolio showcasing children’s artwork

Ability to create age‑appropriate and engaging visuals for children ages 5–12

Strong collaboration and communication skills

Familiarity with digital illustration tools (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, or similar)

Commitment to MAP’s mission and values

Preferred Skills

Experience illustrating published children’s books or educational materials

Ability to design layouts for picture books or digital formats

Familiarity with themes of mentorship, resilience, and equityExperience working with authors or in collaborative publishing environments

What You’ll Gain

Opportunity to illustrate stories that inspire and empower children experiencing instability

Collaboration with writers, educators, and a mission‑driven creative team

Hands‑on experience contributing to nonprofit publishing and literacy projects

A portfolio project that combines illustration with social impact

Letters of recommendation and professional references for future opportunities

Must be based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data‑privacy, and programmatic requirements associated with our work.

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

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