Program Associate (Volunteer)

Program Associate (Volunteer)

PromisePrograms | Program Coordination, Student Engagement & Educational Enrichment

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromisePrograms

Location: Remote, with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type: Volunteer Position (Unpaid)

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Minimum Commitment: 6 months

Reports To: PromisePrograms Leadership

Collaborates With: PromiseRooted, PromiseConnects, PromiseLearning, PromiseTeach, PromiseMeasure, and other MAP divisions

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and community-centered opportunities.

Our programs create opportunities for young people to learn, explore their interests, develop confidence, build meaningful relationships, and experience a sense of belonging.

We believe every child deserves a promise kept.

Position Overview

Mentor A Promise is seeking an organized, compassionate, and proactive Program Associate to support the coordination and delivery of our educational, mentorship, and enrichment initiatives.

Working closely with program managers, educators, mentors, and volunteers, the Program Associate will assist with program scheduling, activity preparation, communication, documentation, student engagement, and ongoing program improvement.

This position is ideal for someone interested in nonprofit program management, education, youth development, community engagement, or social impact.

The Program Associate will help ensure that MAP's programs are thoughtfully organized, consistently supported, and responsive to the needs of the children and families we serve.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Coordination & Implementation

• Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of educational and mentorship activities.
• Assist with program calendars, schedules, workshops, and special events.
• Coordinate materials, resources, and logistical needs for program sessions.
• Help program leaders prepare for upcoming activities and initiatives.
• Track assigned tasks, deadlines, and program deliverables.
• Identify scheduling challenges and communicate updates to appropriate team members.

1. Student Engagement & Program Experience

• Support the development of welcoming, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.
• Assist educators and mentors with age-appropriate enrichment activities.
• Help identify opportunities to strengthen student participation and engagement.
• Support literacy, creative expression, social-emotional learning, STEM, and other educational initiatives.
• Promote positive interactions, encouragement, and student-centered experiences.
• Follow approved safeguarding procedures for all student-facing activities.

1. Mentor & Volunteer Coordination

• Communicate program schedules, expectations, and updates to participating volunteers.
• Assist with volunteer assignments and session preparation.
• Help ensure mentors and facilitators have access to approved instructional materials.
• Support coordination between program leaders and volunteers.
• Identify operational challenges and refer them to appropriate leadership.
• Encourage consistent communication and collaboration.

1. Program Administration & Documentation

• Maintain accurate program calendars, activity records, and approved participation documentation.
• Organize meeting notes, action items, and program updates.
• Assist with preparation of program reports and summaries.
• Maintain organized records using MAP's approved systems.
• Track program materials, resource requests, and assigned follow-up items.
• Protect confidential student and family information in accordance with MAP policies.

1. Program Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Gather feedback from educators, mentors, and program leaders.
• Identify opportunities to improve program coordination and participant experiences.
• Assist with documenting challenges, accomplishments, and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with PromiseMeasure on approved program tracking and evaluation activities.
• Support implementation of improvements recommended by program leadership.
• Help ensure program activities remain aligned with MAP's mission and educational priorities.

1. Cross-Divisional Collaboration

• Work with PromiseLearning on instructional resources and curriculum implementation.
• Support PromiseRooted and PromiseConnects in coordinating in-person and virtual activities.
• Collaborate with PromiseTeach on mentor preparation and training logistics.
• Assist PromiseMeasure with approved participation tracking and program feedback.
• Coordinate with other MAP teams on special initiatives and enrichment opportunities.

First 90-Day Priorities

• Complete MAP's volunteer onboarding and required safeguarding training.
• Become familiar with PromisePrograms, PromiseRooted, and PromiseConnects.
• Meet program leadership and understand current schedules and priorities.
• Assist with coordination of active educational and mentorship activities.
• Support program calendars, communication, and documentation.
• Identify practical opportunities to improve program organization.
• Take ownership of assigned recurring program coordination responsibilities.
• Provide feedback and recommendations to program leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest or experience in nonprofit programs, education, youth development, social work, community engagement, or related fields.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working collaboratively with educators, volunteers, and program leaders.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace and digital collaboration tools.
• Attention to detail and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work with diverse communities respectfully and compassionately.
• Interest in supporting children and youth experiencing housing instability.
• Commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practices.

Students, emerging professionals, and individuals seeking hands-on nonprofit program experience are encouraged to apply.

Volunteer Expectations

• Commit approximately 5–10 hours per week for at least six months.
• Maintain timely and professional communication.
• Participate in relevant program meetings and check-ins.
• Complete assigned responsibilities and provide progress updates.
• Use MAP's approved communication and documentation systems.
• Follow all safeguarding, confidentiality, privacy, and volunteer policies.
• Participate in student-facing activities only when appropriately trained, authorized, and supervised.
• Avoid making unauthorized commitments to students, families, or external partners.
• Provide at least two weeks' notice when ending volunteer service whenever possible.

Measures of Success

• Consistent support for educational and mentorship programming.
• Accurate and organized program schedules and documentation.
• Improved communication between program leaders, educators, and volunteers.
• Timely completion of assigned program coordination responsibilities.
• Effective preparation of program materials and activities.
• Positive feedback from program teams.
• Contributions to stronger, more engaging student experiences.

Why This Role Matters

Behind every successful educational program is a team working to make meaningful experiences possible.

A well-prepared workshop, a welcoming learning environment, a coordinated mentorship session, or a thoughtfully planned activity can make a difference in a child's day.

At Mentor A Promise, we recognize that these moments matter.

As a Program Associate, you will help transform our commitment to children and families into organized, supportive, and engaging experiences.

Your contributions will strengthen the programs that help young people build confidence, discover their interests, develop new skills, and recognize their potential.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience in nonprofit program coordination and youth development.
• Opportunities to collaborate with educators, mentors, and nonprofit leaders.
• Experience supporting educational programming and community-based initiatives.
• Professional development in project coordination, communication, and program administration.
• Opportunities to contribute to program improvement and organizational growth.
• Potential professional references based on demonstrated contributions.
• Meaningful experience supporting children and families experiencing housing instability.

Acknowledgment of Role

By accepting this position, the Program Associate acknowledges the responsibilities, volunteer expectations, safeguarding standards, confidentiality requirements, and mission alignment associated with serving Mentor A Promise.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and submit a resume or CV and cover letter.

Please highlight relevant experience or interest in education, youth development, nonprofit programs, community engagement, or program coordination.

This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements.

Join Mentor A Promise and help create educational and mentorship experiences that inspire learning, strengthen confidence, and expand opportunity.

Because every child deserves a promise kept.