Director of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development (Volunteer)

Director of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development (Volunteer)

PromiseLearning | Social-Emotional Learning, Youth Development & Student Well-Being

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseLearning

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Type: Volunteer Leadership Role

Minimum Commitment: 6-month commitment required

Reports To: Senior Director of Education & Learning

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support.

At MAP, we recognize that learning extends beyond academics.

Children thrive when they feel safe.

Young people grow when they feel connected.

Success becomes possible when confidence, resilience, belonging, and emotional well-being are nurtured alongside educational achievement.

About PromiseLearning

PromiseLearning is MAP's education, curriculum, instructional design, learning innovation, literacy, workforce readiness, and academic enrichment division.

The division develops educational experiences, learning resources, leadership opportunities, and developmental programs that help young people build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in school, relationships, careers, and life.

Role Overview

The Director of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development serves as the leader responsible for advancing social-emotional learning (SEL), positive youth development, leadership development, student well-being, and life skills programming across Mentor A Promise.

This role oversees the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of SEL frameworks, youth development initiatives, leadership experiences, relationship-building practices, and developmental learning opportunities that support the whole child.

Working closely with PromiseRooted, PromiseConnects, PromisePrograms, PromisePeople, and educational leaders, the Director helps ensure that MAP's programs foster confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, belonging, self-awareness, and positive life outcomes.

The ideal candidate is passionate about youth development, child well-being, relationship-centered learning, and helping young people reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

Social-Emotional Learning Strategy

• Develop and lead MAP's social-emotional learning strategy
• Establish SEL goals, frameworks, and learning priorities
• Promote evidence-informed SEL practices across programs
• Strengthen alignment between SEL and educational initiatives
• Support continuous improvement of youth development efforts

Youth Development Programming

• Design and support youth development initiatives and learning experiences
• Promote positive youth development principles across MAP programs
• Strengthen student engagement, confidence, and self-efficacy
• Support leadership development and life skills programming
• Help create environments where young people feel valued and supported

Student Well-Being & Belonging

• Promote emotional well-being, resilience, and healthy relationship-building
• Support initiatives that foster belonging, inclusion, and community
• Help strengthen protective factors that contribute to youth success
• Develop resources that support social-emotional growth
• Promote student voice and youth empowerment

Curriculum & Resource Development

• Develop SEL resources, activities, and learning materials
• Support integration of SEL into educational and mentoring programs
• Ensure developmental content remains engaging and age-appropriate
• Promote practical application of SEL skills across learning environments
• Support training and implementation efforts

Learning Outcomes & Evaluation

• Monitor SEL and youth development initiatives
• Collect participant feedback and identify opportunities for improvement
• Support evidence-informed program development
• Collaborate with PromiseMeasure on learning and developmental outcomes
• Promote innovation and continuous learning

Cross-Divisional Collaboration

• Partner with PromiseRooted and PromiseConnects on youth engagement initiatives
• Collaborate with PromisePeople on mentor and volunteer development
• Support PromisePrograms in creating positive youth experiences
• Work with educational leaders to strengthen student support systems
• Align SEL initiatives with organizational priorities

Leadership Responsibilities

The Director provides leadership and oversight for:

Social-Emotional Learning

Responsible for:

• SEL frameworks
• Emotional intelligence
• Relationship skills
• Personal development

Youth Development

Responsible for:

• Positive youth development
• Student engagement
• Leadership development
• Youth empowerment

Student Well-Being

Responsible for:

• Belonging and inclusion
• Resilience building
• Confidence development
• Protective factors

Learning Resources

Responsible for:

• SEL curriculum
• Youth development activities
• Learning materials
• Developmental resources

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in youth development, education, social-emotional learning, counseling, psychology, social work, mentoring, child development, or related fields
• Strong understanding of positive youth development and SEL frameworks
• Experience designing or leading youth-centered programs
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Passion for supporting young people and strengthening developmental outcomes

Why This Role Matters

Academic success is important.

But children also need confidence.

They need resilience.

They need caring relationships, emotional support, and opportunities to discover their strengths.

The Director of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development helps ensure that MAP's programs support the whole child—preparing young people not only for success in school, but for success in life.

This role helps build stronger, healthier, more confident young people who are equipped to navigate challenges and pursue their goals.

Success Measures

• Growth and quality of SEL initiatives
• Student engagement and participation
• Strength of youth development programming
• Development of leadership and life skills opportunities
• Student well-being and belonging outcomes
• Continuous improvement of developmental learning experiences

Leadership Participation

The Director of Social-Emotional Learning & Youth Development is expected to:

• Attend divisional leadership meetings
• Conduct regular check-ins with direct reports
• Participate in educational planning and strategy discussions
• Support cross-divisional collaboration and organizational priorities

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment required
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
• Support MAP's safeguarding standards, mission, and organizational values
• Foster an inclusive, supportive, and mission-driven culture

What You'll Gain

• Leadership experience within a growing youth-serving nonprofit organization
• Opportunity to shape social-emotional learning and youth development initiatives
• Collaboration with educators, youth development professionals, and nonprofit leaders
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful impact supporting children and families experiencing housing instability

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume and cover letter.

Please highlight experience involving youth development, education, SEL, mentoring, counseling, psychology, social work, leadership development, or related disciplines.

Help create opportunities that strengthen confidence, resilience, belonging, and lifelong success for children and families through Mentor A Promise.

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.