Lake County Advocacy Cohort Program Overview

Save the Dunes is excited to announce our “Lake County Advocacy Cohort” Program. Made possible through funding from Legacy Foundation, Save the Dunes will host up to 6  young adults living or attending college in Lake County.  The program will provide participants with the knowledge and tools they need to be advocates across grassroots movements all the way up to federal advocacy.

Through informative presentation style webinars, participants will hear from Save the Dunes partner organizations, municipal level government officials, and policy professionals.

Each virtual presentation will correspond with a field trip, where partipcants will get hands on experience while meeting with congressmen and local policy makers.

This nine-month advocacy training program gives students the opportunity to elevate their voice on issues important to them and provides them with practical, real-world experience advocating from the grassroots experience to lobbying Members of Congress.

During the Lake County Advocacy Cohort Program, participants will: 

• Learn about Save the Dunes policy priorities and their importance to your community 
• Connect with peers from across the region interested in making positive change 
• Learn how to effectively tell your story to policymakers 
• Meet with Congressional offices in Lake County offices
• Learn strategies to continue advocating for positive change in your community and state

Lake County Advocacy Cohort Application Process

Applications for the Lake County Advocacy Cohort are now open.  6 Young adults ages 18-25 will be selected to participate in Save the Dunes Lake County Advocacy Cohort for 2025.

Interested participants must review the following criteria before applying:

• Must be available to join monthly virtual webinars held on weekday evenings.
• Must be available to join 4  in-person field trips
• Must be a Lake County Resident OR currently enrolled in a college located in Lake County.
• Must be mature, motivated, and comfortable sharing their experiences
• Must be interested in serving as advocates and leaders in their community
• Must be between the ages of 18 and 25
• Save the Dunes is looking for participant representation that reflects all dimensions of diversity.

Program Fees & Stipends

Save the Dunes has received philanthropic support for this program to cover:

• All Application and program fee’s
• $200  Stipend to each participant to help cover transportation and time.