The Great Lakes region is positioned to rewrite its Rust Belt narrative as a story of resurgence. Capturing that potential depends in large part on the presence, skills, and well-being of young people. In a series of briefs, summarized here, authors from across the Urban Institute recommend five broad evidence-based policy and philanthropic strategies to build ladders of opportunity and economic mobility for young people, especially young people of color, and promote productivity, stability, and prosperity in the Great Lakes states.

This brief is part of a series recommending policies that will build ladders of opportunity and economic mobility for young people in the six state Great Lakes region—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.