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Documentarian (Volunteer)
Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Division: Storytelling & Media / Promise Multimedia
Location: New York City and/or Remote via Google Meet (depending on project)
Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, literacy development, academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and community-centered storytelling, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people and families can thrive.
MAP’s documentary work captures lived experience, community resilience, and social realities with care, consent, and dignity—never sensationalism.
Why This Role Matters
The Documentarian helps preserve and amplify real stories that might otherwise go unheard. This role exists to document programs, community moments, creative projects, and lived experiences in ways that are ethical, accurate, and human-centered.
At MAP, documentary work is not about extracting stories—it is about bearing witness responsibly and honoring the trust of the people who allow us into their lives.
What You’ll Do
- Plan, film, and develop documentary-style video content for MAP programs and initiatives.
- Capture interviews, observational footage, and community moments with consent and sensitivity.
- Collaborate with program staff, educators, and storytellers to shape narrative focus.
- Edit or coordinate editing of documentary footage into short or long-form pieces.
- Ensure storytelling aligns with trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices.
- Maintain organized footage, releases (as required), and project documentation.
- Participate in story reviews and feedback sessions.
- Support subtitles, captions, and accessibility considerations.
- Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
- Take responsibility for performance improvement by refining storytelling approach and technique.
How MAP Supports You
- Clear project scope and ethical storytelling guidance
- Respect for time, boundaries, and community relationships
- Collaborative, mission-driven creative environment
- Constructive feedback and editorial support
- Professional references and letters of recommendation
- Recognition of your work as meaningful, skilled contribution
What We’re Looking For
- Experience in documentary filmmaking, journalism, or visual storytelling.
- Strong understanding of ethical storytelling and consent-based documentation.
- Ability to work respectfully in sensitive, community-centered environments.
- Proficiency with filming and editing tools (professional or independent level).
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Commitment to dignity-centered, trauma-informed storytelling.
Bonus (Not Required)
- Experience documenting youth, education, or social justice work
- Familiarity with long-form documentary storytelling
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)
Commitment
- Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week
- Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
- Hybrid: NYC-based filming and/or remote collaboration via Google Meet
- MAP prioritizes care, consent, and sustainability over urgency
What You’ll Gain
- Portfolio-ready documentary work with real-world impact
- Experience collaborating with educators, creatives, and community leaders
- Professional references and letters of recommendation
- The opportunity to help shape ethical documentary storytelling in a nonprofit context
How to Apply
Please send your resume, LinkedIn profile, and (if available) samples of documentary or video work to
Subject line: Documentarian – Mentor A Promise
You may also apply directly here:
https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8
Document with care — help tell real stories in ways that protect dignity, honor trust, and reflect the humanity at the heart of Mentor A Promise.
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