Advocacy Team Lead (Volunteer)

Advocacy Team Lead (Volunteer)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Policy, Research & Advocacy

Location: Remote and/or New York City

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, literacy development, community connection, policy research, and advocacy, MAP works to ensure that every young person has access to consistency, dignity, safety, and opportunity.

MAP’s Policy, Research & Advocacy Division leads the organization’s public voice, advancing research-backed solutions that support housing-insecure youth. The division collaborates with policymakers, schools, agencies, coalitions, and community partners to uplift youth experiences and shape systems that impact their lives.

About the Role

We are seeking a Advocacy Team Lead to lead MAP’s advocacy strategy, public engagement efforts, coalition work, and youth-centered campaign development. This role will work closely with the Director of Policy, Deputy Director of Policy, and MAP leadership to amplify MAP’s impact across New York City’s legislative, education, and housing landscapes.

This is an ideal position for an experienced advocate who understands nonprofit advocacy, community organizing, and how to build public awareness around equity-driven issues affecting vulnerable youth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead MAP’s citywide advocacy strategy, ensuring alignment with MAP’s mission, policy priorities, and 501(c)(3) guidelines.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agencies, coalition partners, and community organizations.
• Develop public education efforts that highlight issues impacting youth experiencing homelessness.
• Represent MAP at hearings, roundtables, community boards, and policy forums.
• Co-lead implementation of MAP’s annual advocacy agenda with the Policy Division.
• Support youth-led advocacy projects and elevate youth voices in all campaigns.
• Draft advocacy materials, including talking points, testimony, letters of support, public statements, and press messaging.
• Coordinate participation in coalitions (Advocates for Children, NYC CoC, Coalition for Homeless Students, etc.).
• Provide training for MAP staff and volunteers on advocacy best practices and ethical storytelling.
• Collaborate with the Storytelling & Media Division to translate research into accessible public campaigns.
• Manage advocacy calendars, meeting prep, and partner follow-up.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by incorporating leadership feedback and data from advocacy efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Social Work, Education, Political Science, Communications, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy, community organizing, legislative engagement, or nonprofit campaigns.
• Strong communication and public-speaking skills.
• Ability to understand and translate policy issues into compelling public messages.
• Experience working with coalitions or cross-sector partners.
• Commitment to youth development, housing justice, and equitable access to education.

Bonus Skills (not required)

• Experience with NYC government structures, DOE, DSS, HPD, or youth homelessness issues.
• Media, communications, or public narrative training.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole).

Commitment

• Volunteer role requiring 5–10 hours per week.
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Remote with optional in-person meetings or advocacy events in New York City.

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership experience shaping advocacy efforts in a mission-driven nonprofit.
• Opportunities to build relationships with policymakers, agencies, and coalitions.
• Collaboration with MAP’s Policy, Research & Advocacy team and executive leadership.
• Professional growth, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
• Letters of recommendation and professional references.
• The opportunity to influence public systems that impact thousands of youth and families across NYC.

Application Process

Please send your resume, LinkedIn profile, and a brief statement of interest to hr@mentorapromise.org with the subject line: Advocacy Team Lead.

You may also apply directly here:

https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8

Lead with impact — join MAP in advancing advocacy that uplifts youth voices, strengthens families, and drives systemic change across New York City.