Children’s Books Writer & Blogger (Volunteer – Storytelling & Media Division)

Children’s Books Writer & Blogger (Volunteer – Storytelling & Media Division)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Storytelling & Media + PromisePress

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 dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, literacy development, academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, creative arts, and storytelling, MAP helps young people build identity, confidence, and community.

MAP’s Storytelling & Media Division and PromisePress, MAP’s publishing initiative, give young people and families access to stories that affirm their experiences and imaginations. Our children’s books, blog posts, and narrative projects support literacy, emotional growth, and family engagement.

About the Role

We are seeking a Children’s Books Writer & Blogger to help develop original children’s stories and write blog content that uplifts MAP’s mission, literacy goals, and youth-centered storytelling. This role is perfect for a creative writer who loves children’s literature and wants to use storytelling to support youth experiencing homelessness.

Your work will support children’s book projects, youth literacy initiatives, and MAP’s storytelling platforms—including PromisePress, Threads of Voices, and MAP’s community-facing blog.

Key Responsibilities

• Write original children’s stories aligned with MAP’s mission and values (early reader, picture book, elementary or middle-grade focus).
• Develop themes that support literacy, social-emotional learning, resilience, creativity, family connection, and cultural pride.
• Write blog posts about MAP programs, literacy, storytelling, youth experiences, children’s book development, and community insights.
• Collaborate with illustrators, animators, and the Storytelling & Media team to bring children’s stories to life.
• Write author notes, summaries, character descriptions, or script outlines as needed.
• Support PromisePress publishing projects and youth-centered book initiatives.
• Participate in editorial meetings to refine drafts and develop narrative direction.
• Ensure all writing is accessible, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and aligned with MAP’s literacy goals.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement through reflection and feedback integration.

Qualifications

• Strong creative writing skills, especially in children’s literature or storytelling.
• Ability to write in clear, engaging, age-appropriate language.
• Experience writing blog content or narrative articles.
• Understanding of social-emotional themes, childhood development, or literacy principles (preferred).
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Passion for youth empowerment, literacy, creativity, and storytelling.

Bonus Skills (not required)

• Experience working with illustrators or animators.
• Familiarity with diverse children’s literature, multilingual stories, or culturally rooted narratives.
• Knowledge of early literacy development or educational storytelling.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred).

Commitment

• Volunteer role, 5–10 hours per week.
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Hybrid: New York City and/or remote via Google Meet.

What You’ll Gain

• Opportunities to publish children’s stories through PromisePress and MAP’s storytelling platforms.
• A writing portfolio of children’s books and blog articles.
• Experience collaborating with illustrators, editors, designers, and program teams.
• Professional development in children’s publishing, blogging, and narrative design.
• Letters of recommendation and strong professional references.
• The fulfillment of creating stories that inspire, comfort, and empower young readers.

Application Process

Please send your resume, LinkedIn profile, writing samples (children’s literature or blog content), and a brief statement of interest to hr@mentorapromise.org with the subject line: Children’s Books Writer & Blogger – Mentor A Promise.

You may also apply directly here:

https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8

Write with heart — create stories and narratives that lift children’s spirits, amplify their voices, and build a world where every young reader feels seen, valued, and inspired.