Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Compton Unified School District

It is said that seeking office or pushing through a ballot measure gives you the opportunity to be a leader, effect change in your community, and repay something to the children and community that you love. It also gives the opportunity to grow personally. Having the inclination to serve, the desire and experience as a leader, the skills to do the job and being in the position where you have a positive impact on student's education and bring about change with respect, dedication, honesty and equality for all. Ultimately, the only real credentials you need are integrity and a caring heart.

Leaders are people that step forward, who influence thinking and action. They emerge to meet the needs. Leaders can concieve and articulate goals that lift people out of their preoccupation and carry them above the conflicts that tear a society apart. Leaders must have the courage to tell the truth...

Irene brings with her all of the above and the following: She was born and raised in the city of Compton. She has attended Ardella B. Tibby Elementary School,Vanguard Junior High School, Whaley Junior High School, Dominguez Senior High School, Compton College and Winner School of Business here in the city of Compton. Throughout her career Irene has recieved certifications in various fields.As a young 16 year old single mom,raising her sons Irene is very proud of her self proclaimed Phd. from Sidewalk University, majoring in Life/Survival Skills and Productive Life Awareness. Irene claims that because of this Phd.(her street knowledge) and her school education knowledge she has been able to deal with those that she services on the real,by example and wisdom because she speaks the language and has the experience to back her up. Because of these successful tools she has gained the recognition as an expert in her field. Her parents have been Compton residents for over 65 years. Irene is number 5 of 7 children. At this time her family roots are in the fourth generation of Compton residents including her 3 sons. The family tree continues to seed and harvest educated leaders with strong family traditions ,values and a great sense of unity in the community. Irene has serviced and dedicated 20 years of her life to children, youth at risk and families. She has succeded using multi cultual dialog and respecting multi culturalism. She is a very involved parent and a children's advocate,a compassionate Democrat, not a politicion, a home town woman with solid roots and love for her community, a real person that deals with issues on a reality basis(untraditional/out the box) a woman of conviction with a strong spiritual foundation, an instument for change as a problem solver, a proven strong effective leader and an excellent team member. Irene runs a tight ship holding responibility and accountability to anyone that is involved in the life or education of a child. She has a vision to improve the safety and education of Compton Unified School District.She has developed a strategic plan with 20 years of experience that is in place and upon approval is ready for implementation to achieve the above goal.Irene believes in planning , action and follow up. This plan is designed to also give parents the opportunity to participate, be informed and involved.

Being a gang and drug supervisor for over 15 years, Irene is experienced and trainned in Educational Program Development,Prevention, Intervention, and Suppression, specializing in Crisis Intervention, Conflict Resolution, Anger Management and Domestic Violence. She is a professional in these fields and skilled to take leadership, or assist in handling Crisis situations on or off school campus.Irene is a trainner, organizer and mobilizer.When lives are at state, in any way, shape or form, to Irene this is serious business... Irene has gained respect among students, parents, youth at risk and gang members. She states that she looks through their eyes and tries to see their heart and believes that hate is taught and that there is good in everyone. Good, bad, ugly or other they are still her babies and she must never give up on them. Because Irene believes in having alternatives for youth in place (and is very disappointed with the city of Compton on this matter) she has opened up her home as a youth center, nuetral ground, a safe haven. Irene does not get funding or a paycheck for over 20 years of professional service, but has built PACE project out of spiritual gratefullnes to God for saving her life, to one of the most successful programs in the city. She has built a base of Partnerships that donate products to service the needs of the PACE families. The kids claim they feel Peace when she is around (do you think it has anything to do with all the cooking she does? smile). She makes it very clear to all "You can love me or hate me but, you will respect me and my home". The key to servicing students and high risk youth successfully she says, is that you must gain their trust and respect. You must be consistant and committed.Most of all you must deal with the whole family unit. Building relationships with all family involved may not be easy, but if you are successful in accomplishing this it will create an atmosphere of trust and support, giving the opportunity to assist their needs. This will give tools of Productive Life Awareness to families. It will also bless students with peace of mind, and encouragent to continue their educational journey. We must make the effort to instill in them that education must be a priority on their agenda of life.The key to success is knowledge and with knowlege you can embrace the challenges, make positive choices and succeed in whatever life may bring your way. If you were to ask you will be told, Irene is the most loyal and loving person you want to know, but she does not play. The hardship and heartbreak of her position is that she has been burying children and youth to violence before they had the opportunity to live, much less have an education. Irene has a special passion and dedication for children and youth. Safety has always been a priority and she has kept on top of all information and activity( positive and negative) concerning children and families. Irene has earned her respect and rank on the streets and in the community.She has accepted the rude awakening that she cannot save the world but believes that she can make a difference. In her efforts Irene has built varios street task forces including "Mothers Against Gangs", and parent volunteer groups because she says that our children are not always in school, so we need to make it safe for them to get to school, stay safe while in school and be able to return to a safe community after school. Many may say that I have my priorities mixed up and in case they do, I want to inform them that the bullet and violence does not have a name on it,it is not a respector of persons, students or professionals, young or old, so we must deal with it real and know that if safety is not our #1 priority in this election, there may be less students to educate.... Irene is a strong advocate for this and sits on many Comittees, Board of Directors and Task Forces. She is Vice President of the Compton PAC Board, President of The Latino Impact Coalition, President of the United Evangelist Association Education Board and oversees various youth councils (Spanish and English.)

Irene is the Founder and Executive Director of PACE project where she has developed and implemented 11 Educational and Productive Life Awareness Components. She has 2 Cable Shows ( Spanish and English) "Irene Barraza The Real Deal" where she deals with real issues and brings information, resources and alternatives to the community. She has also been successful in her Annual Events and Independant Projects. "TOOLS FOR Success" PACE project prepares more than 2,000 students with school supplies to continue their educational journey and assistance to families with personal needs to assist with the financial hardships of the beginning of a new school year, also "Navidad en el Barrio' where families are assisted in having a Blessed and Happy Holiday Season.

Irene has been highly recognized and has recieved prestigous awards from, California Govenors Office, Congress, State Assembly, House of Repesentatives, County of Los Angeles, Law Enforcement and many more....

Irene is a living testimony of spiritual faith, choice, consequence, change and success but, will always live by these quotes..You can take prayer out of school but never out of our heart...You can never be a true leader if you have never been a servant first...The only promise and comittment you can give and live up to, is to always give your best...and most importantly..We can bring positive change, using "WE and not I".

Thank you for taking time to read my bio and the opportunity and privelege to run the race. Whatever my fate I will count it all JOY, stand with dignity, continue to give my best and warmly congratulate everyone for we are all winners. I will always stay focused, comitted dedicated, and continue to be the voice of the child.We will rise above the negative and press forth toward the positive - building strong educated citizens and leaders never losing the vision of our New Horizon in the city of Compton.... "USING WE AND NOT I"

Gracias