How Nate Landis Is Activating the Village to Reach Every Student, Everywhere

When Damien Howard sat down with Nate Landis for this Village Talks conversation, one thing became immediately clear:

This work isn’t just about mentoring.
It’s about mobilizing an entire village—across schools, churches, and communities—to reach young people where they are.

And not just locally… but globally.

From urban schools in the United States to partnerships in Mexico and East Africa, Nate and his team at Urban Youth Collaborative are building something bigger than programs.

They’re building a movement.

A Vision Rooted in Belief and Action

At the core of Nate’s work is a bold belief:

Every young person has unlimited potential—and they deserve to discover it.

Through student-led, voluntary faith-based clubs inside public schools, Urban Youth Collaborative creates spaces where young people can:

• Explore purpose

• Build leadership

• Strengthen relationships

• And align their lives with something bigger than themselves

But what makes this model powerful is not just what happens in the room…

It’s how it connects to the entire ecosystem around the student.

Why Holistic Development Matters

Nate doesn’t separate academic success from emotional, social, or spiritual development.

Because you can’t.

“We’re whole people… body, soul, and spirit.”

That means real impact requires addressing the full reality of a young person’s life:

• What’s happening in school

• What’s happening at home

• What’s happening in their identity and belief systems

• What’s happening in their community

And when those pieces start to align…

That’s when transformation happens.

The Village Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential

One of the most powerful moments in this conversation was Nate’s framing of the village:

“The first lesson is being humble enough to call for help.”

No one person.
No one organization.
No one system.

…can do this work alone.

The village requires:

• Schools

• Community organizations

• Faith institutions

• Mentors

• Peers

• Everyday adults

All working together.

Because young people don’t just need access to opportunity…

They need networks of relationships that support them consistently.

The Power of Diversity in the Village

Nate paints a powerful picture using the idea of a net full of different fish:

A thriving community includes people from every background, every story, every experience.

And that’s not a weakness.

That’s the strength.

The village works best when:

• It reflects the diversity of the young people it serves

• It brings together people who otherwise wouldn’t be connected

• It creates unity without requiring sameness

That’s where real growth—and real understanding—happens.

What Happens When Young People Lead

One of the most impactful stories Nate shared was about a school struggling with fights and conflict.

The solution didn’t come from administrators.

It came from students.

A student leader stood in front of her peers, spoke truth, invited change, and shifted the culture.

And in that moment, something powerful happened:

Young people didn’t just receive support—they became the leaders of change.

This is a critical insight:

When we invest in young people as leaders today, not just “future leaders,”
we unlock a different level of impact.

The Reality: Competing Influences Are Everywhere

Nate didn’t shy away from a hard truth:

Young people are always being influenced.

The question is… by who?

While mentoring organizations and positive programs show up to build, support, and guide…

There are also forces actively working against young people’s well-being.

That’s why the village matters even more.

Because without intentional, positive relationships:

Young people will still be shaped—just not always in the ways we hope.

Measuring Impact: What Actually Changes?

When Urban Youth Collaborative shows up in schools, the results go beyond one metric.

They impact:

• Academic engagement

• School culture and climate

• Student leadership

• Relationships and decision-making

• Community involvement

And perhaps most importantly…

They help young people see themselves differently.

As people with purpose.
As people with influence.
As people who can change their environment.

The Magic Wand: Bridging “What Is” and “What Ought to Be”

When asked what he would do with a “magic wand,” Nate didn’t hesitate.

He would help young people clearly see the gap between what is… and what ought to be.

And then realize:

They are the bridge.

This is where the Village Talks theme comes full circle.

Because when young people understand:

• Their identity

• Their influence

• Their responsibility

They don’t just benefit from the village…

They begin to build it themselves.

Final Thoughts: This Work Is Bigger Than Any One of Us

This conversation is a reminder that:

• Mentoring is not a program—it’s a mindset

• Impact is not individual—it’s collective

• Change is not accidental—it’s intentional

And most importantly:

Every young person deserves a village that shows up, stays consistent, and believes in them.

If we can align around that…

We don’t just support young people.

We transform communities.

Watch or listen to the full Village Talks episode featuring Nate Landis to go deeper into this conversation and what it means to truly activate the village.