ABOUT US
Our Mission
Barraz Genesis, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to fostering literacy and family engagement in communities across Arizona, Texas, and the New York City Metropolitan Area. Our mission is to cultivate a love for reading through the establishment of regular reading routines, empowering children with a fundamental skill crucial to their educational journey. Central to our efforts is the Passport to Literacy Program, designed to not only promote frequent reading but also to foster shared experiences between parents and children. Our interactive reading sessions feature modeled reading by parents, demonstrating how reading can be an exciting and engaging activity. Additionally, we offer hands-on lessons corresponding to the books being read, reinforcing moral values that parents can impart to their children. As a symbol of our commitment, each child receives a Barraz Genesis backpack on their first day, generously funded by our sponsors. These backpacks contain essentials such as pajamas, a stuffed animal, the first reading session book, and a passport to track their progress. We take pride in the families who have embraced this journey with us and are dedicated to expanding our impact on children's literacy in the years to come.
Meet the Team
-
Elena Garcia
FOUNDER
Elena is entering her senior year of college at New York University, where she is majoring in English Literature on the pre-law track. Her passion for literacy began at a very young age when she developed the concept for the Passport to Literacy Program in middle school. She and her younger sister, Maya, then expanded the program to become a nonprofit organization with chapters across the United States. Elena’s passions also lie in music, art, and humanities. She plays piano, clarinet, and guitar and loves to write and create art. She spends most of her summers working in the realm of immigration law and refugee resettlement.
-
Maya Garcia
FOUNDER
Maya is entering her senior year of high school at Northland Preparatory Academy in Flagstaff, Arizona. At the age of seven, she was instrumental in encouraging students to read for the Passport to Literacy Program. Her passions lie in all things STEM. She has competed in robotics and spends her summers in camps related to coding, robotics, gaming, and 3D printing.
-
Laura Avila
FOUNDER
Laura recently retired from her position as a full-time residential faculty member at Glendale Community College, where she holds degrees in biology, chemistry, and nutritional sciences. As a first-generation college graduate, her passion for promoting education, literacy, and STEM careers in underserved communities has become her life’s mission. This passion further extends to promoting academic family engagement to young children and their parents. Laura truly feels education is the key to fighting poverty.
-
Juddy Poggi
EARLY CHILDHOOD CONSULTANT
Judy Gonzales Poggi has dedicated her personal and professional life as a “servant leader” in education and the community. As an “agent of change,” Professor Poggi utilizes pedagogical practices to transform the lives of educators, children, and families. Professor Poggi completed a Master’s degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College with specializations in Early Childhood Education and Bicultural Development. By researching the ecological effects of adult attitudes on young children’s second language and literacy development, she embraces the challenges of applied theory and continues to design culturally responsive curricula, programs, services, and professional development.
-
Claudia Avila
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIALIST
Claudia is a recent graduate of Laredo College with a degree in Applied Science and Early Childhood Education. As a proud native of Hebbronville, Texas, she emphasizes that the importance of literacy goes far beyond mere reading and writing skills. Being literate opens up a world of opportunities, cultivates critical thinking ability, and guides decision-making. Claudia asserts that increasing literacy is not just a professional obligation, but also a personal passion that ensures children are set on a path towards success.
Our Inspiration
Barraz Genesis was born out of reverence for the remarkable women who shaped our lives with their strength and wisdom. We pay homage to the legacy of our great grandmother, Aurora “Yoya” Barraz Cantu, and our great aunts, Tia Minerva “Mine” Barraz Carreon and Tia Sylvia Salinas Barraz. Family has always been at our core, with gatherings and celebrations fostering love, laughter, and growth, inspiring each of us to strive for greatness. These women, now cherished in our memories, were the anchors of our family.
From Guela Yoya's nourishing meals, we learned the value of embracing diversity and giving back to our community. Tia Mine's patience and resilience, coupled with her passion for reading and uplifting words, left an indelible mark on us all. Tia Sylvia, a beloved librarian across Hebbronville, Texas, instilled in her students the importance of literacy, fostering a love for reading that transcended generations.
Through Barraz Genesis, we honor the enduring legacy of these extraordinary women by championing increased literacy, fostering collaboration, and celebrating the essence of family.
