Young people are vital to shaping society, supporting their families and communities, and driving the economy. Their success will determine our future.
To thrive, young people need opportunities that enhance their well-being, empower them, and help them reach their goals. Public policy is key to making this a reality.
As they enter adulthood, young people face a rapidly evolving world with new responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities. They balance personal milestones, like pursuing education, careers, and starting families, with broader issues such as climate change, housing, childcare crises, and labor market discrimination. Many also navigate systemic issues like police brutality, racism, and transphobia, often uniquely affecting youth.
For too many, this balancing act is a daily struggle. As one CARES Ambassador from Atlanta noted, juggling basic needs like housing, transportation, and food is an overwhelming challenge. Society should not make it this difficult for young people to thrive, especially when the obstacles they face are a result of underinvestment in policies that could alleviate these burdens.
This policy agenda, created by young adults with foster care experience in partnership with the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), seeks to reshape how we support young people. It advocates for policies that affirm young people’s identities, support them within their families and communities, and equip everyone for success.
We owe young adults opportunities like living-wage jobs, safe and stable housing, affordable healthcare (including mental health support), and accessible childcare for young parents. This agenda is built on six guiding principles designed to ensure young people can thrive.
