Kinney Autism & Support
When Jim Hanley arrived at the Saint Joseph's University Bookstore as Store Manager in 2025, he was pleased to learn about the SJU Bookstore's partnership with the Kinney Center. Having been part of a similar program in a previous role, he understood the value of creating meaningful workplace opportunities for participants.
Participants like Michael, from the Kinney Center's vocational programs, quickly became an important part of the bookstore team. Michael helped with essential tasks like straightening and organizing merchandise - work that is critical to the store's daily operations but can sometimes fall lower on staff priorities.
Michael, along with his fellow students and their mentors, made an important contribution to the SJU Bookstore.
Hanley shared that Michael, along with his SCHOLAR, became someone the team could rely on. Over time, Michael grew more confident, self-starting, and efficient while remaining "pleasant and engaging."
"Michael, along with his fellow students and their mentors, made an important contribution to the SJU Bookstore," Hanley said. He looks forward to renewing the partnership and welcoming students back this fall.
Nick Tapino’s journey with Kinney began in 2015 at age 9, when he and his twin brother, Tommy, joined Saturday Sports and Camp Kinney. Those early experiences planted a seed that would later grow into something so special.
The Kinney Center is hiring SCHOLARS to work at Camp Kinney this summer. The 2025 Camp Kinney season will take place from June 9-July 31 and it is for sure an amazing experience! Are you still thinking about the reasons why you should be a SCHOLAR? Kinney Center staff, Graduate Assistants, and former SCHOLARS share the benefits of the position.
The path to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) can be a long one and requires lots of dedication. Aspiring BCBAs must complete Graduate Level coursework in Behavior Analysis, complete 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, pass the BCBA exam, and become licensed in the state that they wish to practice in. Later this year, three of our Graduate Assistants will take the final steps in this process and sit for their exam. Clare Peropat '20, '22 (M.S.) started her training when she worked at the Kinney Center as a SCHOLAR and now shares her story as she looks back at her time at the Kinney Center.
