Volunteer Journalist Remote Public-Interest Reporting Job at Mentor A Promise in

Description
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.

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

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.

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