Remote Volunteer Philosopher - Youth Ethics & Reflection

Mentor A Promise is a New York City-based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5-18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise-full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills.

Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.

,

Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Volunteer

Director of SEL & Youth Development

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City-based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5-18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning (SEL), and creative expression. Our work is grounded in dignity, equity, reflection, and the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to imagine and build their future.

We are seeking a Volunteer Philosopher to help integrate ethical reflection, meaning-making, and big-question thinking into MAP's programs and training. This role supports the organization in grounding its work in thoughtful ethics, youth-centered philosophy, and reflective practice. The Volunteer Philosopher collaborates with the SEL, Curriculum, Mentor Training, and Public Trust teams to help ensure MAP programming encourages curiosity, empathy, critical thinking, and identity development.

• Contribute ethical and philosophical perspectives to youth programming and curriculum
• Support development of reflection-based activities for mentors and students
• Advise on dignity-centered, youth-centered program design and language
• Help develop discussion guides around identity, purpose, belonging, and resilience
• Provide insight on ethical decision-making and values-based program practices
• Collaborate with curriculum, storytelling, and SEL teams on content development
• Maintain timely, professional responsiveness via email and chat in Google Workspace

• Background in philosophy, ethics, humanities, or a related field
• Strong writing, critical thinking, and communication skills
• Interest in youth development, education, and social impact
• Comfort collaborating across interdisciplinary teams
• Alignment with MAP's mission and dignity-centered values

• Experience in education, writing, curriculum, or youth programming
• Interest in applied ethics, philosophy for children (P4C), or public philosophy
• Experience facilitating discussions or creating reflective learning content
• Passion for equity, social justice, and human-centered learning

• Volunteer role
• Approximately 5-10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration

• Opportunity to apply philosophy in real-world social impact work
• Collaboration with educators, psychologists, writers, and program leaders
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• A meaningful role supporting youth reflection, identity, and belonging

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.