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 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 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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Julie Oliszewski - YoungLives Coordinator
My family moved from Ohio in 1977 and I feel so lucky to have been raised here in Bradenton. I think I am as close as you get to being native without being born here. My freshman year of high school I was was involved in a youth group at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church where I was introduced to the future leaders of YoungLife Bradenton. I quickly saw that not only did this couple love teens but their love for Jesus shined through everything they did. After the first club I was hooked and YL has been in my blood ever since. In 2000, I joined the Bayshore YoungLife as a leader before transitioning to mentor teen moms and pregnant teens in 2004. This is when I knew I was home. As a single parent, I knew that I was made for loving these girls and babies. Timing is everything. My daughter left for college in 2018 and as empty nester with more time available and a flexible job as a Realtor, Courtney asked to have lunch to see if I was interested in volunteering for YoungLives. I am not even sure she had the chance to ask because I said "I'm IN!" Contact Info : JulieOliszewski@gmail.com |
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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 |