Our Mission - Leading Up to 2009

Since 2005, You Be Aware (YBA) has provided consumers with an articulate voice in decisions that affect their lives. YBA's professional staff gathers facts, analyzes issues, and disseminates information to the public, policymakers, and the rest of the consumer movement and where possible provides effective solutions. For information about YBA’s products and services, please click here.

The size and diversity of its membership which exceeds 42,000 people -- enables YBA to speak for consumers in many arenas. In particular, YBA looks out for those who have the greatest needs, especially those who are adversely affected by natural disasters and economic setbacks.

YBA Roles

YBA is an advocacy, research, education, and service organization. As an advocacy group, it works to advance pro-consumer policy on a variety of issues before state regulatory agencies, state legislatures, and the courts. Its staff works with public officials to promote beneficial policies, to oppose harmful policies, and to ensure a balanced debate on important issues in which consumers have a stake.

As a research organization, YBA investigates consumer issues and attitudes using phone surveys, focus groups, and literature reviews. The findings of such projects are provided to organizations that assist consumers as well as individual consumers. This research also provides the basis for new consumer initiatives, and consumer information and education efforts.

As an education organization, YBA disseminates information on consumer issues to the public as well as to policymakers and other public interest advocates. Workshops, reports, brochures, news releases, emergency alert phone calls, and a website all contribute to YBA's education program.

Finally, as a service organization, YBA provides support to organizations committed to the goals of consumer advocacy, research, and education. Some of these organizations are consumer assistance, education, or cooperative organizations.

YBA Services

YBA services other organizations and its members through its website, publications, resource centers, and special events.

This website supplies free information about YBA’s work on many current issues. Specifically, it includes information about YBA, recent press releases, recent government programs, recent consumer publications, state and local consumer groups, consumer cooperatives, and links to other consumer websites.

YBA has prepared consumer publications on topics ranging from managing consumer debts to hurricane preparedness to mortgage assistance to identity theft. Staff members are constantly reviewing materials and publications to recommend to our members.

YBA's Advisory Group meets regularly to discuss issues of interest to YBA and consumer cooperatives, and to plan initiatives that benefit the existing and potential members YBA.

YBA's Disaster Recovery Workshops have been held throughout Florida to give consumers the opportunity to learn how to prepare for weather related emergencies and how to avoid being scammed by unscrupulous contractors in the aftermath of those disasters.

YBA Membership

Non-profit, pro-consumer organizations, and individuals that support the mission of YBA qualify for membership. Membership entitles them to receive YBA News and other regular YBA publications, Emergency Phone Alerts, and qualify for free workshop registrations. Additional information about membership and an application are available from the YBA office. Contact Martin at info@youbeaware.com, or by mail at the corporate offices.

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