Something is breaking in America. Economic mobility has stalled, wages are stagnant while costs skyrocket, and young people are inheriting a world where the promise of a better future is slipping away. For the first time in modern history, a majority of young people believe they will be worse off than their parents. This isn’t just a perception—it’s a reality backed by data. From AI-driven job displacement to the financial traps of digital markets and the psychological effects of social media, the challenges facing this generation are unlike anything before. Yet, the institutions shaping policy and regulating these forces are disconnected from how young people actually think, live, and struggle. The Kokosing Institute exists to bridge that gap—to ensure that the voices of young people aren’t just heard, but that their perspectives actively shape the policies and decisions defining their future.