LINC warmly welcomes Victor Pichardo Jr. to our Board of Directors!
Víctor Pichardo Jr. is the VP of Government and Community Affairs at Saint Barnabas Health System. He is the former Assemblyman of NY’s District 86 (2014-2021). In office, he served as the Vice Chair of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators’ (NHCSL) delegation. Prior to 2014, Víctor started his career in Senator Charles Schumer’s office beginning as an intern and finished his 4 years of service as the Community Outreach Coordinator/Latino Liaison. He then became the Associate Director of Public Relations at Mercy College before returning to public service as the Director of Community Affairs for State Senator Gustavo Rivera in the Bronx.
Read more about Victor's favorite children’s book, current reads, and passion for our mission below:
What attracted you to Literacy Inc. and excited you about joining the board?
My work as a former NYS Legislator brought LINC to my attention. I have met with many groups asking for support over my career in government, but LINC is one of the few organizations that stood out to me. Their work with helping close the literacy gap and focusing on educational attainment and achievement are very important to me.
Why do books or reading matter in the life of a child?
Reading in general allows children to understand the world. It helps them build the vocabulary to articulate their feelings and concerns. It also makes them more introspective and empathetic.
What was your favorite book as a kid?
Johnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbes. It is a work of historical fiction about a teenage boy who gets caught up in the outbreak of the American Revolution.
What are you reading right now, and why? I haven’t really picked a book in a while but the last thing I read was Yes We (Still) Can, by Dan Pfeiffer. I am looking to start the Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy by Timothy Zahn. I just need to pick them up for my next vacation.
We’re delighted to have Victor join the LINC team. Welcome to the LINC Board of Directors, Victor!
For more information about LINC’s current online literacy activities, please visit https://www.lincnyc.org/onlineprograms.