Wellness Advisors are seasoned licensed mental health professionals who provide Girls Write Now mentors and staff with guidance in handling sensitive issues and difficult situations they may encounter with mentees.
If you are interested in becoming a Wellness Advisor, please fill out our Join form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. As a next step, we will contact qualified candidates for an interview. Please note that all candidates will be asked for proof of licensure, resume and three professional references.
Wellness Advisors help train mentors in teen mental health and social-emotional youth development. We recognize the multi-dimensional nature of a trusting mentoring relationship and the holistic needs of teen girls and gender-expansive youth, and rely on our Wellness Advisors to provide necessary support, thus enabling staff and mentors to focus on our mission—writing and mentoring.
Volunteer Commitment
Wellness Advisors are asked to commit for a minimum of one academic school year, providing up to 3 hours of support per month. If starting mid-year we ask for a semester commitment.
Wellness Advisor activities will include the following:
- Field mentors’ questions and concerns (moderated by GWN staff) to offer strategies and advice for mentoring or supporting a teen through difficult circumstances.
- Serve as a panelist or presenter at select virtual training sessions, workshops, Wellness Wednesdays, or Thursday Community Chats (or at the Girls Write Now office in midtown, safety permitting), to provide mental health-related information.
- Recommend resources (online, over the phone, and in-person—when deemed safe) for teen mental health and well-being that can be shared with mentors, GWN staff, mentees, and included on the GWN website.
- Meet with high need mentor-mentee pairs as needed
Volunteer Qualifications
- Current, valid licensure as a mental health professional (priority given to NYS)
- Ability to successfully pass a background check
- Passion for our mission to mentor the next generation of writers
- Experience in crisis management and/or working with high-need teen girls and gender nonconforming youth
- Private practice experience and proof of malpractice insurance preferred
About Girls Write Now
Girls Write Now is a powerhouse of voices that have been ignored or silenced for too long, and a pipeline of talent into schools and industries in need of different perspectives. As a community, we follow our hearts and—through bold, authentic storytelling—inspire people to open theirs.
For 25 years, we have been breaking down barriers of gender, race, age and poverty to mentor the next generation of writers and leaders who are impacting businesses, shaping culture and creating change. Thank you for joining our movement.
Who We Serve
Girls Write Now serves a culturally and educationally diverse community of women-identifying, trans* and gender-expansive young adults (mentees)—90% of color, 90% high need, 75% immigrant or first generation and 25% LGBTQ+/gender expansive. These mentees are often from systemically underserved communities, who have long been negatively impacted by the lack of resources and opportunities in public schools, can face significant challenges to educational and professional success. Unfortunately, in our city and our country, young adults of color are rarely given the guidance, care and systemic support they need to gain confidence in their talents and accomplishments, graduate from high school and access viable college or career opportunities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and disempowerment. Girls Write Now is uniquely positioned to help correct these longstanding inequalities.
Application Process
If you are interested in becoming a Wellness Advisor, please fill out our Join form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. As a next step, we will contact qualified candidates for an interview. Please note that all candidates will be asked for proof of licensure, resume and three professional references.