After several years as an informal dance collective, Barrio Alegria officially incorporated in 2015 to fulfill a broader community mission utilizing arts as a vehicle for change. Founded by Daniel Egusquiza, the organization began its work in 2009 as a dance collective. Over time, it expanded to incorporate theater, photography, and other creative programs designed to engage community members and reclaim neglected spaces​.

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One of the organization's core methods involves inviting "regular folks"— those who might not traditionally consider themselves artists or leaders — to participate in creative projects. This inclusive approach aims to dismantle self-limiting beliefs and encourage community members to recognize their potential to instigate change​.

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The organization's work has evolved to include leadership development, particularly targeting individuals who do not see themselves as leaders but are involved in community-building work nonetheless. Barrio Alegría’s leadership development efforts are designed to support and nurture these emerging leaders, many of whom come from underrepresented Latinx backgrounds. This approach has led to collaborations with institutions such as the Reading Public Library, where Barrio organized community performances to make the space more welcoming to the predominantly immigrant community in Reading.

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Barrio Alegría is also known for its innovative community engagement strategies, such as organizing trash-collecting competitions to address neighborhood concerns creatively and using performances to re-imagine public spaces. These efforts have gained national attention, with Barrio being selected for grants like the Center for Community Progress, which supports community revitalization through participatory budgeting and collaborative decision-making​.

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Three factors contributed to the creation of Barrio:
 

   1.The subscription to values found in our community such as:
 

• We share what we have.

• What happens to one of us, happens to all of us.

• We hold ourselves and institutions of power accountable to promises.
   

   2.The community engagement model developed through B.A.D. co

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• With an emphasis on community building.

• With an emphasis on leadership development.

• Storytelling with a purpose.

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  3.The challenge presented by Reading being named the poorest city in America in 2011.

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• In 2015, Reading became the first municipality in the state of Pennsylvania to achieve certification under the national STAR Community Rating System, The process revealed some serious gaps in the community with regards to ensuring a positive quality of life for its residents. Of the 7 major goal categories, Reading scored lowest in Equity and Empowerment (15.9%).  The most notable finding was the lack of Civic Engagement, which measures citizen sense of self empowerment and participation in the public life.

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