Village Talks Ep. 17 - Jane Oh of Mentor Arc with "Youth Are The Village"

Episode 17: The Youth Are the Village

Jane Oh, Founder of MentorArc

Village Talks with Damien Howard

Every now and then, the microphone needs to shift.

Not to another expert.
Not to another executive director.
Not to another adult with a polished theory.

But to a young person.

Episode 17 of Village Talks is special because the guest is not just someone serving youth. She is youth.

Jane Oh is a 15-year-old sophomore from Lexington, Massachusetts — and the founder of MentorArc, an international peer mentoring nonprofit serving over 100 students across six countries.

Let that sit for a moment.

Fifteen years old.
Founder.
International footprint.
501c3 organization.

And what struck me most was not just her résumé. It was her clarity.

When You’ve Been Mentored — and Become One

Jane’s inspiration for MentorArc came from both sides of the mentoring relationship.

She mentored a second grader in Indonesia and saw firsthand how ten sessions improved his English skills and confidence. At the same time, she had her own mentor — a tutor who supported her academically and emotionally.

And she said something we often forget:

Mentorship is not just about academics.
It’s about emotional and mental support.
It’s about having someone who has been in your shoes.

That dual perspective shaped MentorArc’s DNA — peer-led mentoring by students who understand what it feels like to be navigating school, identity, pressure, and possibility.

Why Not Stay Local?

MentorArc began locally.

But Jane made a decision early on that most adults hesitate to make: she refused to limit the vision.

“I wanted every student, no matter where they live, to access this free peer mentoring.”

So they expanded.

Uganda.
Mexico City.
International pairings across borders.

This wasn’t accidental. It was intentional.

Jane believes that zip code should not determine access to support.

Beyond Mentorship: When Notebooks Matter

As MentorArc grew, Jane noticed something deeper.

Mentoring was powerful — but in some communities, students didn’t even have basic school supplies.

So MentorArc began sending school supply kits and care packages to youth in Uganda. Because what good is encouragement without tools? What good is a study plan without a notebook?

That shift revealed something critical: sometimes the village must think beyond conversation and move toward tangible support.

Diversity Is Not a Debate. It’s Reality.

We talked about diversity in a political climate where inclusion is sometimes questioned.

Jane didn’t hesitate.

“Diversity is the most important aspect. That shouldn’t be a barrier within the village concept.”

Her generation does not tiptoe around difference. They move through it. They run past it. They plow through barriers.

Where older generations may have experienced culture shock, Jane’s generation often sees opportunity for connection.

And that mindset changes everything.

Educational Inequality: The Wand Question

When handed a figurative magic wand, Jane didn’t ask for fame or personal success.

She said she would tackle educational inequality.

Her passion sits at the intersection of education and sociology. She wants students worldwide — regardless of income or geography — to have the support and resources to thrive.

That clarity at 15 years old should challenge us.

Parents, Programs, and Possibility

Jane credits a local nonprofit in Lexington that gave youth a seat at the adult boardroom table. A student ambassador program that didn’t just let young people observe — but contribute, design, volunteer, and lead.

She also credits her parents, who didn’t automatically applaud the vision. They questioned her leadership experience. They challenged her. They walked with her through early failures.

That combination — truth and trust — built resilience.

The Final Word Belongs to Youth

At the end of the episode, Jane offered this encouragement:

“To all the youth out there — don’t be afraid to take on your passion. Don’t be afraid of boundaries or limitations. Tackle barriers with your curiosity, creativity, and power.”

This episode is a reminder of something simple but profound:

If we are building systems for young people,
we cannot do it without young people.

The village includes them.
In many ways, they are the village.

To learn more about Jane and MentorArc:
Website: www.mentorarc.org 
Instagram & TikTok: @mentor.arc

And if you believe in the power of peer mentorship, consider supporting their work.

Because sometimes the most powerful leader in the room is the youngest voice willing to speak.