Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Cinney.
Hi Joseph, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was an attorney in Miami for 20 years and relocated to the St. Augustine area in 2013. I became involved with Learn to Read of St. Johns County (LTR) as a tutor for their just-beginning English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. I tutored both group and individual classes for many years. Also, I became a teacher and Academic Director at St. Gerard Campus, a St. Augustine maternity high school for recent teenage mothers and pregnant teens. After serving on the Board of Directors for LTR, I was asked to be the Executive Director in 2021. Since that time, we have served more than 250 students and have over 40 active tutors providing tutorial services in the following areas:
- Adult basic literacy
- ESOL
- Preparation for the GED test for those students who did not graduate from high school.
- Preparation for the U.S. Citizenship examination for students interested in becoming citizens.
All of LTR’s services are offered free to our students.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have always been challenges to successfully running a non-profit organization, especially one that relies on something other than government funding to operate. However, LTR has been fortunate to have a steadfast and generous base of supporters who have enabled us to continue our mission. Many individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations, churches, the United Way of St. Johns County, charitable trusts and families, and other supporters generously donate to LTR. We also conduct two major fundraisers annually to secure funding for our endeavors.
We’ve been impressed with Learn to Read of St. Johns County, Inc., but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Learn to Read of St. Johns County, Inc. was founded in 1986 and incorporated in 1990, originally to help change the lives of St. Johns County residents struggling with literacy challenges. Our mission is to be the area’s principal organization for providing individualized education in fundamental verbal, written, mathematical, and technological skills for persons 16 years and older, to remove barriers to employment and higher education, improve quality of life, and prepare for community and civic participation. Over the years, we have expanded our mission to include services for basic adult literacy, ESOL, GED test preparation, U.S. Citizenship test preparation, and much more. All of our tutorial services are offered to our students free of charge.
Can you talk to us about the role of luck?
I firmly believe in the old bromide that luck is preparation meeting opportunity. A person makes their luck. I have been fortunate to have a solid upbringing, education, good relationships with family and friends, and a positive life experience.
Pricing:
- Yes, LTR offers its services for free to our students.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.learntoreadstjohns.org
- Instagram: @learn.toreadstjohns
- Facebook: learn.toreadstjohns
Image Credits
In the first photo, left to right, Joseph Cinney, LTR President; Lucelly Quiroz, new citizen; Bea Imhoff, LTR Citizenship tutor. In the second photo, left to right, Barb Horton, LTR Tutor of the Year 2022; Joseph Cinney, LTR President; Eric Mitchell, LTR Student of the Year 2022. In the third photo, James Flood (hand raised), LTR Tutor and Financial expert, group class members. Fourth photo, Angela Moreno, LTR Student, and Volunteer Coordinator.
