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 2025-2026

Administration

Mary Pat Gallagher Executive Director/Founder

Becky Biedenstein Assistant Director

Albert Orri Vila Hispanic Education & Outreach Manager

Jessi Delaney Program & Volunteer Director

Team Members

Opal Barbour After-school Tutor OLG

Eileen Buckner After-school Tutor OLG

Pat Jackson Receptionist LF

Peggy O’Brien Tutor OLG & LF

Sarah Wills Art teacher OLG

Val Peregrino Art Assistant OLG

Jill Welsh Art Teacher LF

2025-2026 Board of Directors


EXECUTIVE TEAM

Sean Barry, JD - President

Annie-Marie Moreno - Vice President

Kristina Bradshaw - Secretary

Brooke Killion, CPA - Treasurer


DIRECTORS

Sonia Childs - Educator / Science Center

Betsy Fentress - Freelance Editor

Mary Pat Gallagher, M.A. - Founder and E.D.

Carl Kuebler, MBA, CFA - NISA

Luis Merida - University School District

Brenda Pierce - Lutheran Family Services

Peggy O’Brien - Educator / Lolly’s Place

Lisseth Salgado, ABSNP- Consultant / Washington University

Albert Orri Vila - Educator / Lolly’s Place


COMMITTEE CHAIRS

  • Betsy Fentress Buildings and Grounds

  • Brook Killion Finance

  • Sean Barry Governance

  • Mary Pat Gallagher Strategic Planning