Staff
Courtney Cotrone - Area Director
As a junior at Manatee High School, I attended my first Young Life club. I did not grow up in church and
had never been exposed to what a relationship with Jesus was. In high school, I was desperate for
belonging and searched for it in things like sports, friends, parties, etc. but it left me feeling more empty
than ever. My friends finally convinced me to go to a Young Life club. That is where I met my Young Life
leader. She showed me what a relationship with Jesus looked like. For the first time I heard and
understood how much Jesus loved me. My life took a dramatic turn. I went from living in darkness to
experiencing life to the full. My life has never been the same since I began my relationship with Jesus my
senior year of high school. Jesus used Young Life to save my life.
After high school, I knew I wanted to give back to the ministry that impacted me so much. I served as a
volunteer leader for two years and part time staff for two more years. After graduating from USF with a
degree in Social Science, a position was offered to me as full-time Young Life Staff. In college, I always
said working for ESPN would be my #2 dream job, but working for Young Life would be my #1. To be
working with Young Life and leading at the same Young Life Club where I first heard the Good News of Jesus, is something I am grateful for each day.
I am married to David Cotrone who is a volunteer Young Life leader. We have two sons, Hudson & Elijah.
Contact Info:
ylmanateecounty@gmail.com
Phone: 941-704-9611
As a junior at Manatee High School, I attended my first Young Life club. I did not grow up in church and
had never been exposed to what a relationship with Jesus was. In high school, I was desperate for
belonging and searched for it in things like sports, friends, parties, etc. but it left me feeling more empty
than ever. My friends finally convinced me to go to a Young Life club. That is where I met my Young Life
leader. She showed me what a relationship with Jesus looked like. For the first time I heard and
understood how much Jesus loved me. My life took a dramatic turn. I went from living in darkness to
experiencing life to the full. My life has never been the same since I began my relationship with Jesus my
senior year of high school. Jesus used Young Life to save my life.
After high school, I knew I wanted to give back to the ministry that impacted me so much. I served as a
volunteer leader for two years and part time staff for two more years. After graduating from USF with a
degree in Social Science, a position was offered to me as full-time Young Life Staff. In college, I always
said working for ESPN would be my #2 dream job, but working for Young Life would be my #1. To be
working with Young Life and leading at the same Young Life Club where I first heard the Good News of Jesus, is something I am grateful for each day.
I am married to David Cotrone who is a volunteer Young Life leader. We have two sons, Hudson & Elijah.
Contact Info:
ylmanateecounty@gmail.com
Phone: 941-704-9611
Emily Johnson - WyldLife Director
My life changed because a Young Life Church Partner showed up my senior year at
Dunedin High School. Because of that experience, I went to Flagler College in St.
Augustine where I studied Youth Ministry and volunteered as a WyldLife leader.
When I graduated, this Florida girl, who is no friend of cold weather, ended up
doing a Young Life Internship in Bismark, North Dakota. When those two years
were over, I was fortunate enough to come back to Florida and became a Young
Life Church Partner at Palma Sola Presbyterian. In 2003 I went on "regular" Young
Life staff but continued leading Northwest WyldLife club and have been doing so
for over 20 years.
I studied at Fuller Theological Seminary and received a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership.
I am married to David and we have two boys, Edgely (14) and Leighton (9).
Contact Info. Tel. (941) 920-1298 email. emndavidj@juno.com
My life changed because a Young Life Church Partner showed up my senior year at
Dunedin High School. Because of that experience, I went to Flagler College in St.
Augustine where I studied Youth Ministry and volunteered as a WyldLife leader.
When I graduated, this Florida girl, who is no friend of cold weather, ended up
doing a Young Life Internship in Bismark, North Dakota. When those two years
were over, I was fortunate enough to come back to Florida and became a Young
Life Church Partner at Palma Sola Presbyterian. In 2003 I went on "regular" Young
Life staff but continued leading Northwest WyldLife club and have been doing so
for over 20 years.
I studied at Fuller Theological Seminary and received a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership.
I am married to David and we have two boys, Edgely (14) and Leighton (9).
Contact Info. Tel. (941) 920-1298 email. emndavidj@juno.com
Lori Greaves - Office Administrator
After spending 15 years at All Children's Hospital in St Pete as a Pediatric Respiratory Therapist and 4 years at home with my kids, when they entered high school I was ready for something new. I had been involved with Young Life's Wyldlife prayer chain, leader care and banquet, but was ready for more when I accepted the Area Office Administrator position in 2015. It doesn't get any better than working for YL! I love my job and the amazing people I work with.
I am married to Landon and we have two children, Amelia and Luke.
Contact Info:
yloffice941@icloud.com
Phone: 941-545-3326
After spending 15 years at All Children's Hospital in St Pete as a Pediatric Respiratory Therapist and 4 years at home with my kids, when they entered high school I was ready for something new. I had been involved with Young Life's Wyldlife prayer chain, leader care and banquet, but was ready for more when I accepted the Area Office Administrator position in 2015. It doesn't get any better than working for YL! I love my job and the amazing people I work with.
I am married to Landon and we have two children, Amelia and Luke.
Contact Info:
yloffice941@icloud.com
Phone: 941-545-3326
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Becky McSwain - YoungLives Coordinator
I was introduced to Young Life in 2002 when my husband and I moved to Bradenton. We began volunteering with Wyldlife in 2003. I knew Young Life was an integral part of his life growing up, but until we attended our first camp as volunteer leaders in 2003 I did not truly understand. During that first camp weekend I saw firsthand how broken teen lives can be, and the effect that a caring adult can have on the trajectory of those lives. I saw the story of Jesus presented as I never had before, and I saw lives changed. I served as a Wyldlife leader until 2010 when my oldest son no longer fit in his front carrier at club. Not wanting to leave the Young Life ministry, I continued on as a board member. While hosting a banquet table in 2012 I felt an undeniable pull in my heart to YoungLives, the ministry of Young Life to teen moms. I knew that the loneliness experienced by teenagers could only be multiplied by the challenges of parenthood, and I knew Young Life could present life changing opportunities for teen moms in our area to hear about Jesus and find community. I’ve served as the YoungLives Coordinator since 2013. Contact Info : beckymcswain@gmail.com |
My husband Matt and our two boys, David & Isaac.
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(clockwise) Rose, Myself, my wife Kristen, Macey Jane, and Albert (the alligator)
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Blue Cofer - Staff Associate My wife Kristen and I were born and raised here in Manatee County. In 2008, fresh out of college and newly married, we were invited to be volunteer leaders at Bayshore High School. We found out what YoungLife was all about as adult guests at Windy Gap and have been passionate about the mission ever since. In 2016 I began a new career in education as a Math teacher at Palmetto High. I enjoyed working with young students and found sucess by building relationships and treating students with kindness and respect. It also helps if you can make class fun. In 2019 I was given an incredible opportunity to join the staff of Manatee Younglife. In my new role I get the chance to continue building relationships and steering kids toward a life focused on Jesus. And it should be a litttle more fun than Geometry. Contact: (941) 348-8597 gatorsandwich@gmail.com |