ARIZONA

Our Arizona chapter, where Barraz Genesis began, has reached over 400 families across Phoenix, Glendale, and Flagstaff. We are proud to share the growth and impact of our literacy programs and community events over the years.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Glendale, AZ

Modern building with glass windows and metal siding at dusk, surrounded by trees and a grassy area.

Since 2014, Barraz Genesis has partnered with Glendale Community College and Head Start’s Child Lab to host annual literacy parades inspired by beloved children’s books, engaging children through creative, reading-centered activities. During this time, the organization also launched the Passport to Literacy Program, founded by Elena Garcia, to encourage regular reading among preschool and kindergarten students through family involvement, reading incentives, and progress tracking.

GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

People shopping at an outdoor Halloween-themed event with decorated tables and fall decorations.
Table decorated for Children's Literacy Day with drawings of an elephant, lion, and giraffe, along with snacks, stuffed animals, and books, set outside near a brick building and fire riser room door.
Children on a float in a parade wearing festive clothing and paper decorations, with adults supervising, in front of a brick wall with a sign that says 'Technology 1'.
Decorative table with Halloween-themed plush toys, mini pumpkins, and scarecrow dolls, with a leaf-decorated tree in the background, on a black tablecloth and a colorful tassel garland at the front.
Child dressed as a blue fish, with a blue paper costume and fins, is at a booth with face paint and crafts, while adults assist with activities at a colorful event table.
A group of children wearing colorful masks gathered around a table at an outdoor party, with adults standing behind them. The table has party favors and decorations, and people are socializing in the background.
Group of people gathered outside near a brick and concrete wall, some holding water bottles, with decorations including a lion cutout, a small table with yellow tablecloth, and a person taking a photo.
Child wearing a large, bright yellow paper mask of a leopard's face with black spots and white whiskers.
Two women sitting behind a table decorated with fall and Halloween-themed items, including candies, small pumpkin decorations, a plush panda, and a black bowl, outside in front of a brick wall and a window.
A group of people celebrating an event outdoors with a lion craft and cowboy-themed decorations. There are children, adults, as well as a colorful wreath and banners.
Decorated table for Halloween with pumpkins, stuffed animals, scarecrow figures, a small tree with autumn leaves, and a bowl of Halloween candy, set against a brick wall.
Table set up for Children's Literacy Day with coloring pages of elephants, lions, and giraffes, and various snacks and toys, in front of a brick wall and a door labeled 'Fire Riser Room'.
Children and adults participating in a Halloween celebration outdoors. Children are dressed in costumes with Halloween-themed accessories, such as insect and animal costumes, and a lion. Adults are in costumes or casual attire, some wearing witch hat
An outdoor display with a colorful backdrop featuring a smiling sun, rainbow, butterfly, and other illustrations. A table covered with a striped tablecloth holds small paper bags, plastic-wrapped items, and a caterpillar toy. A large poster of a gori
Children sitting on wooden benches on a decorated float for a parade, wearing colorful outfits and headbands with green streamers, displayed in front of a brick wall with the sign 'TECHNOLOGY 1'.
Three plastic bags filled with Halloween-themed candies and stickers, labeled with the names 'Winnie the Pooh,' 'Roechelle,' and 'Horsham' written with a black marker.
Children at a celebration, wearing handmade paper crowns with green and pink decorations, sitting with posters and prizes.
A group of children at a Halloween-themed event, wearing colorful costumes and graduation caps, with adults handing out treats and engaging with them outdoors on a sunny day.
Elena preparing program packages
Maya and Elena preparing program packages

A SECOND CHAPTER

Phoenix, AZ

Exterior view of Fowler Elementary School, located at 6707 West Van Buren Street. Red brick building with a small garden in front, a concrete sidewalk, and there's a tall palm tree and parking lot with cars visible.

FOWLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Barraz Genesis partnered with Fowler Elementary School District to deliver family-centered reading sessions that promote literacy and parent engagement. Through themed curricula based on children’s books, the program emphasized reading modeling, empathy, cooperation, and patience, reinforcing literacy as a shared family experience.

People gathered in a community room with colorful tablecloths, eating and socializing.
Children and adults sitting at tables with yellow tablecloths, engaging in arts and crafts activities in a community hall, with some people focusing on their projects and others talking.
A young girl in a pink striped shirt is drawing and coloring a duck craft on paper, with Crayola markers scattered on the table. There is a book titled 'Duck & Goose' and a box of Crayola markers on the table.
A woman with short brown hair and a red shirt sitting at a table with two children. She is holding orange scissors and smiling while looking at a paper panda craft. The boy next to her is wearing a yellow and black shirt with a lion graphic and the w
A young girl with curly hair and a yellow shirt smiling at the camera while sitting at a table with arts and crafts supplies. An adult is sitting beside her, working on a craft project.
Three people, two children and an adult, sitting at a table engaged in drawing activities. The table is decorated with artificial autumn leaves. The girl in the middle is drawing, the woman on the left is eating a snack, and the man on the right is c
A child holding up a paper plate mask with a blue, hand-drawn monster face on it, seated at a table with craft supplies and food in a classroom or event setting.
Child drawing a face on a sheet of paper at a table with snacks, markers, and decorative leaves.
Three children and an adult sitting at a green table with craft supplies, snacks, and drawings, in a room with a beige tiled floor.
A young girl and a woman are sitting at a table, looking at a small white paper craft. The girl is pointing at it with her finger, smiling, while the woman is holding it and smiling. The girl is wearing a yellow T-shirt with a blue backpack, and the
A young girl showing a picture to a man taking a selfie in a room with a yellow floor and walls.
A woman with dark hair, washboard sunglasses on her head, wearing a gray T-shirt with a donut and the words 'Coffee Saves' on it, is showing a piece of paper to a young girl with brown hair pulled back, wearing a yellow shirt. They are seated at a ta
A young boy with short hair is about to bite into a donut covered with colorful sprinkles, sitting at a yellow table with a green paper plate.
A young boy holding a panda face craft in front of a woman, in a room with other children sitting at a table.
A man with glasses, wearing a black and red sports cap and a red shirt, uses scissors to open a gift box at a birthday party. A young girl with dark hair tied back, wearing a maroon striped shirt, watches him. On the table, there is a green plate wit
A group of children and an adult sitting at a long yellow table during a craft activity. The children are eating cupcakes, and the adult is cutting paper with scissors, with panda-themed craft supplies and instructions on the table.
Children and adults sitting at tables with yellow tablecloths in a classroom or community center, engaging in arts and crafts activities.
People sitting at decorated tables with food and drinks, engaging in activities and conversations in a community hall.
Children decorating donuts with sprinkles at a birthday party.
A young girl with braids and a light blue shirt holding a pair of yellow scissors, standing next to a table with children drawing and coloring pictures of animals. Markers and colored drawings are visible on the table.
A young girl and a woman are sitting at a table, drawing with markers. The girl is wearing a pink striped shirt and pink skirt, and the woman is wearing a dark gray shirt. They are focused on a piece of paper with drawings of a person and a balloon.
A young girl in a pink and white striped shirt is coloring a Duck & Goose craft project on a table with crayons. The table is covered with scribbles and crayons, and there are scissors, a Crayola box, and a children's book on the table.
A woman and a young girl sitting at a table, reading a children's book together, with snacks and art supplies on the table.
Children and adults engaged in a group activity at a table, with some coloring and others reading, in a classroom or community center.
A young girl with long dark hair, wearing a pink shirt, standing at a table with a plate of food and a water bottle, talking to a woman with short curly hair and a purple shirt, sitting at the table with another girl. The table has snacks, colored ma
An adult woman and a young girl are working together on a coloring activity at a table in a classroom. The girl is coloring a picture with a yellow marker, and the woman is leaning over to help her.
A group of children and adults gathered around tables in a classroom or community center, engaging in arts and crafts activities such as drawing, coloring, and reading. The scene includes art supplies like markers, scissors, and paper, with some chil
Multiple clear plastic bags with blue zippers containing travel documents and colorful plush toys, labeled with names like David, Erica, and Yvonne, on a carpeted floor.

A MOVE UP NORTH

Flagstaff, AZ

Stone wellness building with green and brown sign reading "New Leaf Wellness Building" and number 222 above a pink door with window panels.

A NEW LEAF WELLNESS

Barraz Genesis is expanding to Flagstaff, Arizona through a new partnership with New Leaf Wellness. This next chapter reflects our continued commitment to equitable education, community collaboration, and providing resources that empower children and families through literacy.