Shoe Maker / Footwear Designer (Volunteer - Thread & Promise Fashion Innovation Team)

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. Location: New York City and/or Remote via Google Meet Type: Volunteer (Unpaid) About The Role We are seeking a Shoe Maker / Footwear Designer to support the development of footwear concepts and prototypes as part of Thread & Promise’s expanding design initiatives. This role blends craftsmanship, fashion design, product development, and community impact. The ideal candidate is passionate about footwear design, sustainability, creative problem‑solving, and using craft as a channel for storytelling and empowerment. This position is perfect for artists, makers, designers, craftspeople, or footwear specialists who want to apply their skills in a mission‑driven, youth‑centered nonprofit environment. Key Responsibilities Design and/or construct footwear prototypes for Thread & Promise projects. Collaborate with MAP’s fashion team, designers, pattern makers, and youth storytellers. Assist in researching sustainable, ethical, and mission‑aligned materials. Support the creation of custom shoes, hand‑crafted pieces, or innovative footwear concepts. Provide insight into pattern making, lasts, tooling, stitching, and construction techniques. Develop sketches, technical drawings, mood boards, or material boards for footwear concepts. Mentor youth in hands‑on craftsmanship or introductory footwear design (as needed). Support design for storytelling projects, exhibitions, fashion showcases, or MAP campaigns. Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours. Take responsibility for performance improvement by integrating feedback and refining design methods. Qualifications Experience in footwear design, shoemaking, cobbling, leatherwork, or related craft. Understanding of shoe construction, pattern making, lasts, adhesives, and finishing techniques. Strong creative skills and attention to detail. Ability to collaborate with designers, youth, and cross‑functional creative teams. Commitment to ethical, sustainable, and culturally responsive design. Bonus Skills (not Required) Experience designing custom footwear or limited‑edition pieces. Background in sustainable materials, upcycling, or environmentally conscious production. Ability to teach or mentor youth in design or craftsmanship. Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred). Commitment Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week. Minimum 6‑month commitment preferred. Hybrid In‑person in NYC and/or remote via Google Meet. What You’ll Gain Hands‑on experience innovating in a mission‑driven fashion division. Opportunities to design footwear pieces connected to culture, storytelling, and youth empowerment. Collaboration with MAP’s designers, storytellers, youth creators, and fashion innovation teams. Portfolio‑ready prototypes, concepts, and creative collections. Letters of recommendation and strong professional references. The fulfillment of creating design that inspires young people and uplifts community stories. #J-18808-Ljbffr Mentor A Promise