ABOUT US
About Barraz Genesis
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening literacy and family engagement in underrepresented communities across the United States. We believe literacy is not only an academic skill, but a shared experience that grows strongest when families and educators work together.
Our mission is to cultivate a lifelong love of reading by helping children and their families establish consistent, meaningful reading routines. We advance literacy through a family-centered approach that supports educators and caregivers in tandem. Our programs emphasize regular reading routines, parent-modeled reading, and interactive activities that strengthen comprehension and connection. By providing inclusive resources, including bilingual books, lesson plans, and hands-on learning tools, we help families reinforce literacy at home while complementing classroom instruction.
Our Approach
At the core of our work is the Passport to Literacy Program, a family-centered initiative that encourages frequent reading while strengthening connections between parents, children, and educators. Through parent-modeled reading and interactive sessions, children experience reading as engaging, joyful, and accessible, supported by hands-on activities that reinforce comprehension and real-world learning.
Our interdisciplinary lesson plans integrate literacy with STEM, art, music, history, and other core subjects, positioning reading as a gateway to learning across disciplines. Donations support both families and educators by providing bilingual books, lesson plans, and classroom and home resources that extend literacy beyond the page.
Barraz Genesis Backpack
Every child receives a Barraz Genesis backpack on their first day of the Passport to Literacy Program, filled with essential items including pajamas, a stuffed animal, a book, and a reading passport to track their progress.
Meet the Team
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Elena Garcia
FOUNDER
Elena is a master’s student at New York University studying Latin American and Caribbean Studies. She founded Barraz Genesis in 2016 and later established the organization’s New York City chapter to expand family-centered literacy initiatives. Her work spans academia, with a focus on immigration law, and the medical consulting sector. -
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Maya Garcia
CO-FOUNDER
Maya is a first-year Environmental Studies student at Willamette University. She has been instrumental in the growth of Barraz Genesis, aiding in the creation of the Passport to Literacy Program at age seven. Her passions include STEM, robotics, coding, and gaming. -
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Judy Poggi
EARLY CHILDHOOD CONSULTANT
Judy is a servant leader in education, dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families through culturally responsive pedagogy. She holds a master’s degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College with specializations in Early Childhood Education and Bicultural Development. Her work focuses on the ecological impact of adult attitudes on children’s second-language and literacy development, informing the design of inclusive curricula. -
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Laura Avila
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Laura is a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a first-generation college graduate. With a background in biology, chemistry, and nutritional sciences, she is a retired faculty member from Glendale Community College. Her work centers on advancing literacy and family engagement as pathways to educational equity. -
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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’s work asserts that increased literacy sets children on a path towards success.
Barraz Genesis was born out of deep reverence for the extraordinary women who shaped our lives through love, education, and resilience. Our work honors the legacy of our great grandmother, Aurora “Guela Yoya” Barraz Cantu, and our great aunts, Minerva “Tía Mine” Barraz Carreon and Sylvia “Tía Sylvia” Salinas Barraz, the anchors of our family and the heart behind our mission.
From Guela Yoya’s nourishing meals, we learned the importance of community, generosity, and creating spaces where families feel supported. Tía Mine’s patience, resilience, and passion for reading taught us the power of words to encourage confidence, connection, and lifelong learning. Tía Sylvia, a beloved librarian in Hebbronville, Texas, devoted her life to fostering literacy, instilling in generations of students a love for reading that extended far beyond the classroom.
Their influence taught us that education thrives in spaces rooted in care, connection, and family.
