Program Director, PromiseRooted (Volunteer)

Program Director, PromiseRooted (Volunteer)

PromiseRooted | In-Person Youth Programming & Community Engagement

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromisePrograms

Location: New York City (In-Person)

Commitment: Approximately 8–12 hours per week

Type: Volunteer Leadership Role

Minimum Commitment: 12-month commitment required

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

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.

MAP believes that every child deserves consistent relationships, meaningful opportunities, and safe spaces where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

Through community-based programming, MAP helps children build confidence, develop skills, strengthen connections, and experience the joy of belonging.

About PromiseRooted

PromiseRooted is MAP's in-person youth programming initiative.

Delivered within shelters and community-based settings, PromiseRooted provides children and youth with engaging, supportive, and enriching experiences that foster creativity, literacy, social-emotional growth, mentorship, academic development, and community connection.

PromiseRooted serves as one of MAP's most direct and impactful points of engagement with children and families.

Programs may include:

• The Imagination Studio
• The Kitchen Lab
• The Sound Room
• The Story Circle
• Literacy enrichment activities
• Social-emotional learning experiences
• Creative arts programming
• Community workshops
• Family engagement initiatives
• Special events and seasonal programming

Role Overview

The Program Director, PromiseRooted serves as the senior leader responsible for the vision, strategy, operations, quality, and growth of MAP's in-person programming.

This role oversees program planning, volunteer engagement, curriculum implementation, partnerships, participant experiences, and operational excellence across all PromiseRooted initiatives.

Working closely with program staff, volunteers, shelter partners, educators, mentors, and executive leadership, the Program Director helps ensure that every child participating in PromiseRooted experiences consistency, safety, belonging, and meaningful opportunities for growth.

The Program Director serves as the organizational leader responsible for ensuring that PromiseRooted remains engaging, impactful, mission-aligned, and responsive to community needs.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the overall vision and strategy for PromiseRooted
• Develop annual program goals, priorities, and growth plans
• Identify opportunities to strengthen program quality and impact
• Ensure programming aligns with MAP's mission and values
• Support innovation and continuous improvement efforts

Program Operations

• Oversee day-to-day operations of in-person programming
• Ensure smooth execution of weekly and seasonal activities
• Support program planning, scheduling, and coordination
• Maintain operational consistency across program offerings
• Monitor program effectiveness and participant experiences

Volunteer & Team Leadership

• Support recruitment, onboarding, and engagement of volunteers
• Provide leadership and guidance to program teams
• Foster a positive and collaborative culture
• Ensure volunteers receive appropriate support and resources
• Promote accountability and professional standards

Participant Experience & Youth Development

• Ensure programs remain engaging, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate
• Promote positive youth development principles
• Foster safe, welcoming, and supportive environments
• Support social-emotional learning and relationship-building
• Strengthen participant engagement and retention

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with shelter partners and community stakeholders
• Collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and local organizations
• Support family engagement initiatives
• Represent PromiseRooted within the community
• Strengthen opportunities for collaboration and growth

Program Quality & Impact

• Monitor program outcomes and participant feedback
• Identify opportunities for improvement and innovation
• Support evidence-informed programming practices
• Collaborate with PromiseMeasure on program evaluation efforts
• Ensure high-quality participant experiences

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with PromiseLearning on educational programming
• Collaborate with PromisePeople on volunteer engagement
• Work with PromiseStudios and PromisePages on creative initiatives
• Support organizational events and special projects
• Align program activities with broader organizational priorities

Leadership Responsibilities

The Program Director provides leadership and oversight for:

PromiseRooted Programming

Responsible for:

• Program strategy
• Program operations
• Program growth
• Program quality

Youth Engagement

Responsible for:

• Participant experience
• Youth development
• Community building
• Program culture

Volunteer Leadership

Responsible for:

• Volunteer engagement
• Volunteer support
• Team coordination
• Leadership development

Community Partnerships

Responsible for:

• Shelter relationships
• Community engagement
• Collaborative partnerships
• Family connections

Program Excellence

Responsible for:

• Program standards
• Continuous improvement
• Impact outcomes
• Organizational alignment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in youth development, education, nonprofit leadership, community programming, social services, recreation, mentoring, or related fields
• Experience managing programs, teams, or volunteers
• Strong leadership and relationship-building abilities
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Passion for supporting children and families experiencing housing instability
• Commitment to positive youth development and trauma-informed practices

Why This Role Matters

For many children experiencing housing instability, consistency can be difficult to find.

PromiseRooted exists to provide that consistency.

The Program Director helps create spaces where children feel safe, supported, encouraged, and connected.

This role helps ensure that every program session, every volunteer interaction, and every learning experience contributes to a stronger sense of belonging, confidence, and possibility for the young people we serve.

Success Measures

• Participant engagement and retention
• Program quality and consistency
• Volunteer satisfaction and effectiveness
• Community partnership development
• Growth and sustainability of PromiseRooted
• Positive youth development outcomes
• Alignment with MAP's mission and values

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 8–12 hours per week
• Minimum 12-month commitment
• Participate in leadership meetings and program planning sessions
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Support MAP's safeguarding standards and child protection policies
• Collaborate with staff, volunteers, and community partners

What You'll Gain

• Senior leadership experience overseeing a youth-serving program
• Opportunity to shape the future of MAP's flagship in-person programming initiative
• Collaboration with nonprofit, education, and community 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, mentoring, nonprofit leadership, community engagement, program management, or related fields.

Help create the relationships, experiences, and opportunities that allow children to feel rooted, supported, and empowered through PromiseRooted.

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.