Mary's Story: Ten Years Tutoring for the Petey Greene Program

Volunteer Tutor Mary McKenna with the Petey Greene Program CEO, Jeffrey Abramowitz

Mary McKenna has been a devoted volunteer with the Petey Greene Program in Philadelphia since 2016. Known as “Ms. Mary” to her students, she travels by bus in all weather at 79 years old to tutor at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Center City Philadelphia. Inside the classroom, Mary’s presence is embraced by students she not only teaches, but learns from.

Reflecting on her experience, Mary wrote:

I want to acknowledge the profound mutual impact between me and each of the incarcerated persons I have met. … I am so grateful for the opportunity to get to know those who are incarcerated as real people, and I appreciate their openness to an “old head” like me. They help me to realize that one of my privileges has been to get an education.

Mary’s steady encouragement creates a space where dignity and growth flourish inside and beyond the classroom. Last year, Mary volunteered at our 5K Run/Walk for Education Justice in Philadelphia, cheering on the runners and providing support along the route. She also shares with incoming volunteers how momentous this work can be in tutor trainings and Regional Program Orientations.

In her ten years as a tutor with the Petey Greene Program, Mary has had near perfect attendance.

As a former nun, teacher, principal, and adult literacy instructor, she has witnessed education as a liberating tool. Her lifelong commitment to ensure every person she encounters has a profound learning experience is extraordinary. In a powerful full-circle moment, Mary taught alongside Jeff Abramowitz, who is now the CEO of  the PGP, the organization she continues to volunteer with today. Mary’s awareness of the barriers in reentry, even led her to asking if she could extend support to graduating students.

Mary’s instinct to care past the carceral setting and awareness of systemic inequities reflects the kind of thoughtful advocacy PGP hopes to inspire in all of our volunteers. Mary’s worldview of education, equity, and inclusion is a gift she continues to share each week she volunteers. In her ten years as a tutor with the Petey Greene Program, Mary has had near perfect attendance. Her only absences have been to serve as a volunteer poll worker or for family vacations. Mary doesn’t need recognition, but she unquestionably deserves a standing ovation.