Innovator – Youth Solutions Designer (Volunteer)

Innovator – Youth Solutions Designer (Volunteer)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Innovation, Community Impact & Youth Experience

Location: New York City and/or Remote via Google Meet

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a nonprofit organization supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, literacy enrichment, academic support, social-emotional learning, creative arts, and community-centered innovation, MAP builds safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive.

Innovation is central to MAP’s mission. Across MAP Roots, MAP Connect, PromisePlay, PromisePress, Threads of Voices, and our Community Impact Lab, we design human-centered solutions that support students facing the challenges of unstable housing. We believe young people deserve systems, tools, and opportunities created with — and for — them.

About the Role

We are seeking Innovators – Youth Solutions Designers to help imagine, prototype, and develop creative, human-centered solutions that uplift youth experiencing housing instability. Innovators will work across MAP programs to generate new ideas, design interventions, test prototypes with youth, and help build new pathways for learning, wellness, and community connection.

This is a collaborative, forward-thinking role ideal for individuals who are passionate about social innovation, design thinking, and youth-centered problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Research challenges impacting youth in shelters and temporary housing (education, social-emotional needs, technology gaps, enrichment opportunities).
• Design innovative concepts, prototypes, or interventions that support youth learning, wellness, creativity, or community belonging.
• Collaborate with MAP Roots, MAP Connect, PromisePlay, and Storytelling & Media to create youth-centered solutions.
• Conduct informal user testing sessions with youth, mentors, and staff.
• Develop idea briefs, design documents, and prototype outlines.
• Support the creation of new MAP initiatives, tools, products, or curriculum enhancements.
• Contribute to the development of program models, digital tools, or community-based solutions.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by integrating feedback and data into design iterations.

Qualifications

• Passion for youth empowerment, equity, and community-centered innovation.
• Experience in design thinking, social innovation, product development, education, or youth development (preferred but not required).
• Strong creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex challenges into clear, actionable ideas.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and documentation abilities.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive design.
• Openness to experimentation, iteration, and community feedback.

Bonus Skills (not required)

• Experience with prototyping (digital or physical), UX/UI, or game-based learning.
• Background in social services, homelessness research, or community development.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred).

Commitment

• Volunteer role, 5–10 hours per week depending on project cycles.
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Hybrid: In-person and/or remote via Google Meet.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to help build new, innovative solutions for youth experiencing homelessness.
• Hands-on experience in youth-centered design and social innovation.
• Collaboration with MAP leaders, educators, designers, mentors, and storytellers.
• Opportunities to prototype and launch solutions that directly impact youth lives.
• Professional development, networking, and leadership opportunities.
• Letters of recommendation and professional references.

Application Process

Please send your resume, LinkedIn profile, and a brief statement of interest to hr@mentorapromise.org with the subject line: Innovator – Youth Solutions Designer.

You may also apply directly here:

https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8

Design with impact — help create breakthrough solutions that uplift youth, strengthen community, and expand opportunity.