One-on-One Tutoring
Lolly’s Place is an after-school tutoring and enrichment program that welcomes children in grades K-8 of all academic abilities, ethnicities, faiths, and socioeconomic backgrounds. To better meet the needs of the whole child, we focus on a holistic approach to learning. Our overarching goal is to empower students with the skills they need to understand their individual learning styles and become lifelong learners.
Our volunteer tutors are the backbone of our organization. In the photo above, one of our volunteers (a retired reading specialist) supports a Lolly’s Place student on a writing project.
At Lolly’s Place, we believe…
Education is liberation.
Every child has the right to a quality education.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and relationship building are foundational to our work.
Working alongside our students and their families as advocates is critical to learning outcomes.
OUR TEAM
Administration
Mary Pat Gallagher Executive Director/Founder
Becky Biedenstein Assistant Director
Jessi Delaney Program & Volunteer Director
Team Members
Deborah Anderson Program Assistant
Opal Barbour After-school Tutor
Eileen Buckner After-school Tutor
Pat Jackson Receptionist
Peggy O’Brien Tutor
Karen Peregrino Art Instructor
Val Peregrino Art Assistant
Lisseth Salgado Consultant ELL Director / School Neuropsychologist
Jill Welsh Art Teacher
2025-2026 Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Sean Barry, JD - President
Annie-Marie Moreno - Vice President
Albert Orri, MS - Secretary
Brooke Killion, CPA - Treasurer
DIRECTORS
Sonia Childs - Educator
Abby Cole - Development Professional
Betsy Fentress - Freelance Editor / LP Volunteer Tutor
Mary Pat Gallagher, M.A. - Founder and E.D.
Luis Merida - University School District
Brenda Pierce -
Peggy O’Brien -
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Betsy Fentress Buildings and Grounds
Abby Cole Development
Suzanne Basuino Finance
Sean Barry Governance
Sherley Moran Strategic Planning