About the group:

Affiliated with Indiana Young Democrats and Young Democrats of America. Promotes democracy and gets young people 18 to 35 years old involved in the electoral process. Meets monthly. Web site: www.lakecountyyoungdems.org

Mission: Its purpose is to pursue the ideas of liberty, justice and freedom for all regardless of race, religion or sex. It will pursue these ideas through support of the Democratic Party and its ideas, ideals and candidates.

Special events: Lake County Young Democrats hopes to have a Participation, Registration and Information Determines Elections, or PRIDE event, Aug. 18 in Gary and is organizing a Young Democrat Day to promote voter registration. At 4:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at the YFCR, 2700 Jackson St. in Gary, the group offers a program on Barack Obama and this year's Democratic primary. Starting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2, the day of the general election, a watch party is planned at Obama's headquarters in Gary. The group coordinates events with Indiana Young Democrats and Progressive Young Democrats and is involved in local issues and issues that affect the quality of life. Monthly meetings provide a forum for reports and to coordinate events. The group recently hosted a Juneteenth Celebration marking the emancipation of Texas slaves in 1865.

Advice: "We promote democracy and want to get more people involved in the electoral process. To empower people and let them know their vote does count," said club President Jonathan Boose.

How to get involved: For more information, call Jonathan Boose at (219) 614-8995.

People might be surprised to know: "The core group of our membership grew up together on the west side of Gary and went to college together, too. We work well together," Boose said.

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate an organization for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com