Director of PromiseReads Book Club (Volunteer)

Director of PromiseReads Book Club (Volunteer)

PromiseLearning Division | Literacy, Reading Enrichment & Community Engagement

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseLearning

Program: PromiseReads Book Club

Location: Remote, with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Position Type: Volunteer Leadership (Unpaid)

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Minimum Commitment: 6 months

Reports To: PromiseLearning Leadership

Participants: Children and youth ages 5–18, adult volunteers, and organizational leaders

About Mentor A Promise

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

We believe every child deserves a promise kept.

About PromiseReads Book Club

PromiseReads is a literacy and community-building initiative designed to bring children, youth, volunteers, and organizational leaders together through the power of books.

The program will offer age-appropriate reading experiences for young participants alongside a dedicated adult book club for MAP volunteers and leaders.

Through shared reading, meaningful discussions, creative activities, and diverse literary perspectives, PromiseReads will encourage lifelong learning, critical thinking, empathy, cultural understanding, and a sense of belonging.

The youth and adult book clubs will operate through separate, appropriately structured sessions, with occasional approved intergenerational literacy activities.

Position Overview

MAP is seeking a creative, organized, and passionate Director of PromiseReads Book Club to develop, launch, and lead our organization-wide reading initiative.

The Director will oversee both youth and adult reading experiences, develop engaging programming, coordinate volunteer facilitators, organize reading schedules, and establish an inclusive literary community.

The ideal candidate believes reading can inspire curiosity, strengthen relationships, expand perspectives, and create meaningful educational opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development & Leadership

• Develop and implement the PromiseReads Book Club program.
• Establish separate reading groups for children, teens, and adult volunteers and leaders.
• Create monthly reading themes, schedules, and discussion activities.
• Develop program guidelines, participation expectations, and measurable goals.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteer book club facilitators.
• Collaborate with PromiseLearning leadership on program development and expansion.

Youth Literacy & Reading Enrichment

• Select engaging, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate books.
• Develop reading activities that strengthen comprehension, vocabulary, creativity, and critical thinking.
• Organize interactive discussions, storytelling, and creative writing activities.
• Encourage youth participants to express ideas, share perspectives, and develop confidence.
• Support inclusive learning experiences for participants with different reading abilities and accessibility needs.
• Coordinate with PromiseRooted and PromiseConnects to integrate approved reading activities into youth programming.

Adult Volunteer & Leadership Book Club

• Establish a dedicated reading community for MAP volunteers and organizational leaders.
• Select books exploring leadership, education, social impact, personal growth, history, culture, literature, and other relevant subjects.
• Facilitate thoughtful discussions and the exchange of ideas.
• Encourage professional development, reflection, and lifelong learning.
• Promote meaningful connections across MAP's divisions.
• Create opportunities for volunteers to recommend books and lead discussions.

Community Engagement & Creative Experiences

• Organize virtual and approved in-person reading sessions.
• Explore author conversations, guest readers, literary workshops, and themed reading events.
• Collaborate with PromisePages, PromiseVoice, and creative teams on literary activities and storytelling initiatives.
• Encourage book reviews, reading challenges, and participant-led recommendations.
• Explore partnerships with libraries, publishers, authors, and literacy organizations through appropriate MAP channels.
• Celebrate reading milestones and participant achievements.

Program Management & Evaluation

• Maintain reading calendars, session plans, and participation records.
• Coordinate volunteer schedules and facilitator responsibilities.
• Gather participant feedback and recommend improvements.
• Track appropriate indicators of participation, engagement, and learning.
• Provide regular updates to PromiseLearning leadership.
• Ensure all youth-facing activities follow MAP's safeguarding, confidentiality, accessibility, and consent requirements.

First 90-Day Priorities

• Develop the PromiseReads program structure for youth and adults.
• Establish age-based reading groups and a separate adult book club.
• Create an initial three-month reading calendar.
• Recruit and orient volunteer facilitators.
• Select initial books and develop discussion guides.
• Launch introductory reading sessions.
• Collect feedback and establish priorities for continued growth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in education, literacy, literature, libraries, book clubs, youth development, or community programming.
• Strong interest in reading, storytelling, and lifelong learning.
• Experience organizing and facilitating group discussions.
• Ability to develop engaging, inclusive reading activities.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to coordinate volunteers and collaborate across teams.
• Understanding of age-appropriate learning and youth safeguarding.
• Commitment to cultural responsiveness, accessibility, and MAP's mission.

Experience leading a book club, teaching, mentoring, or developing literacy programs is a plus.

Responsibilities & Expectations

• Commit approximately 5–10 hours per week for at least six months.
• Attend relevant leadership meetings and maintain regular communication.
• Develop and maintain reading schedules and program resources.
• Provide guidance and support to volunteer facilitators.
• Ensure youth and adult groups have appropriate boundaries and supervision.
• Follow MAP's safeguarding, privacy, confidentiality, and organizational policies.
• Support continuous program improvement.
• Provide at least two weeks' notice when ending volunteer service whenever possible.

Measures of Success

• Successful launch of youth and adult book club groups.
• Consistent participation and engagement.
• Positive feedback from participants and facilitators.
• Increased enthusiasm for reading and literary discussions.
• Meaningful opportunities for literacy development, critical thinking, and creative expression.
• Strong collaboration across MAP programs and divisions.
• A sustainable, welcoming, and inclusive reading community.

Why This Role Matters

Books open doors to new ideas, experiences, cultures, and possibilities.

For children and youth, reading can strengthen academic skills, imagination, confidence, and self-expression.

For adult volunteers and leaders, reading creates opportunities to learn, reflect, connect, and grow together.

PromiseReads will bring these experiences together under one shared commitment: building a community where learning never stops.

As Director, you will help create a program that inspires readers of all ages and strengthens MAP's culture of literacy, curiosity, and belonging.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through Idealist and submit a resume or CV and cover letter highlighting relevant experience in literacy, education, literature, community engagement, program development, or volunteer leadership.

Join Mentor A Promise and help us build a community where every story matters, every voice is valued, and every reader has room to grow.

Because every child deserves a promise kept.

This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity open to candidates based in the United States.