Journey House is so much more than a place. Nearly 1,500 people enter through Journey House's doors on a daily basis, and it is only because of their warmth, eagerness to grow, and willingness to do everything they can to achieve their potential that Journey House can continue having the impact that it does. Our participants have the support of tremendous staff, volunteers, board members and so many others who contribute to our mission of empowering families to move out of poverty.
Staff & Leadership
Journey House staff and leadership are committed to the organization's mission of moving families out of poverty. As in many nonprofits, these committed individuals often work long and irregular hours to serve the needs of the community, going above and beyond their job description.
Leadership Team
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Dr. Michele Bria - Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Bria serves as Chief Executive Officer of Journey House, a community-based organization on Milwaukee’s near-south side that empowers families to move out of poverty by offering adult education, workforce readiness, youth development, and family engagement programs. Journey House annually serves more than 8,425 low-income, urban youth and families at five locations. Under Dr. Bria’s leadership of over 22 years, the annual operating budget increased from $200K (1996) to $3.2MM (2018) and secured over $22.5MM in capital for catalytic economic development high-impact projects. Families served increased from 600 (1996) to 8,425 (2018) per year. Dr. Bria received her doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and earned her Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Arts from Marquette University. (Click Here for Press Bio) (Click Here for Dr. Bria CV) |
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Charles Brown - Deputy Director
Charles Brown has been the director of youth programs for Journey House for over 13 years. Charles received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Education from Wayland Baptist University in San Antonio, Texas in 2003. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served for 26 distinguished years as a senior non-commissioned officer. Charles spent most of his time in the Air Force in the recruiting field. His last position was Chief of Recruit the Recruiter Team, where he was responsible for the procurement of national and international Air Force Recruiting sales force with eight other team members. Additionally, he managed a travel budget of over $100,000.00 and arranged trips around the world to Air Force and other military installations for recruiting schools presentations. In November of 2003, Charles began his career with Journey House. His current responsibilities as the Director of Youth Programs include the development, implementation and evaluation of all youth teen development programs and all youth athletic programs. As Deputy Director, Charles assists in all aspects of the development of the Journey House. |
Chawn Jackson
Controller |
Cherise Myers
Director of Community Partnerships |
Erin Fischer
Assistant Director of Family Engagement |
Melissa Jerke
Grant Writer and Leadership Coach Click pic for bio |
Kevin Turner
Special Assistant to the CEO Click pic for bio |
Ryan Schone Director of Social Innovation Click pic for bio |
Sa'eed Diabat
Community Solutions Fellow from Israel Click pic for bio |
Deogratias Kayumba
Community Solutions Fellow from the Democratic Republic of Congo Click pic for bio |
Adult Education Team
Glorianne Mather
Director of Adult Education Click pic for bio |
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Juan López
Spanish GED and Math Instructor |
Workforce/Financial Team
Melissa Jerke
Grant Writer & Leadership Coach Click pic for bio |
Ritchie Martin
THRIVE Career & Financial Coach |
Ricardo Galaviz
THRIVE Career & Financial Coach |
Youth Programs Team
Quentin Prince
Director of Youth Leadership & Student Success Click pic for bio |
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Christina Felski
CLC Site Coordinator Longfellow Elementary |
Nestor Muro
Community Schools Coordinator Longfellow Elementary School |
Support Staff
Sandra Navarro
Child Care Teacher |
Christina Miller
Director of Childcare |
Jvelisse Nunez
Daytime Bilingual Receptionist |
Elena Perez
Evening Bilingual Receptionist |
Alejo Pacheco
Custodian |
Rafael Espino
Stadium Crew & Special Projects Fellow |
Dra’Vonn Bankhead
Stadium Crew & Special Projects Fellow |
Cristo Rey High School Interns
Cesar Alba
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Luis Guzman
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Agustin Cruz
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Paul Zamudio
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Volunteers
Each year, hundreds of volunteers commit their time to helping Journey House, either through a one-time event or as part of an ongoing relationship. We can only help families break out of the cycle of poverty because of the dedication of hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and energy to making sure that our participants get the most out of our programs. These are the everyday, unsung heroes of our community.
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Service Learners
Journey House collaborates with local universities to maximize the skills and ambition of college students in our area.
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Community Volunteers
Whether helping once a year or regularly offering their time throughout the year, our community volunteers are catalysts of change in Clarke Square.
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Program Volunteers
We have space and need you to use it! Journey House relies on volunteers to help develop and implement our programs.
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Do you want to become a volunteer at Journey House? Go ahead and fill out an application!
Service Learners at Journey House
Each semester, thousands of students from local colleges, universities, and high schools commit to giving back to the Milwaukee community. Through Service Learning programs at their respective schools, students receive a different kind of education. Awareness, creativity, and empathy are a few of the skills these students develop or acquire. Problem-solving, innovative thinking, and evidence-based practices are a few of the practical tools they put to use.
Journey House welcomes scores of these students each semester, and they never fail to impress. Many Service Learners find a niche in our organization and wish to stay on board beyond the hours required by their school or university. Others become ambassadors for Journey House and tell their friends and family about us. We are grateful to all of the local students who come to Journey House committed to empowering families to break out of the cycle of poverty.
Journey House Community Volunteers
Journey House hosts a wide variety of activities throughout the year. Sometimes we plan and execute these events ourselves. Other times, community organizations host events at Journey House. Regardless of who is organizing the event, your help is ALWAYS needed and appreciated! We can't say it enough - we are only able to help families break out of the cycle of poverty because we have so many strong and dedicated volunteers! Will you help us? Take a look below.
Volunteer Opportunities
Click to Learn More!
Click to Learn More!
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Ongoing Opportunities
English Language Tutor GED Tutor (Math, Reading) Youth Center Helper Community Learning Center (CLC) helper (K-8) |
Seasonal Opportunities
Football Operations & Concessions Baseball Operations & Concessions Summer Camp Helper VITA - Tax Assistance Volunteer Community Gardens Adopt-A-Family Program Adopt-A-Teen Program Adopt-A-Child Program |
Annual Events
Spring Activities Egg Hunt Halloween Spooktacular Thanksgiving Dinner Winter Wonderland |
This is just a sample of the many ways you can can contribute to Journey House's mission. For a more complete list of volunteer opportunities and to apply to become a volunteer with Journey House, Click Here!
Journey House Program Volunteers
Our beautiful facility opened in 2012. We are fortunate to have world class facilities that help us provide top-notch programming for our participants. Our staff is busy with their programs throughout the day - morning, afternoon and evening! Even with all of the great programs we are able to put on, we still have more space to put on additional programs and events. There are opportunities for you to offer one-time, weekly, or monthly events! Would you like to offer a computer class in our Mac Lab (also provides Windows OS access)? Maybe you want to host a sports or fitness event in our gym or at our football stadium? Ever thought about putting your arts and crafts skills to use in our youth center? If you have an interest in volunteering for Journey House by running a program for our youth or adult participants or their families, fill out the Idea Form on our Volunteer page. A Journey House staff member will get back to you to follow up!
Friends
Journey House prides itself on the relationships it forms with individuals and organizations right here in Milwaukee and across the country. Working alongside these other entities allows us to maximize the opportunities available to our participants.
Two unique agreements set apart Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee County Parks when we talk about Friends of Journey House. With these friends, we share fiscal and property responsibilities unlike any other agreement we have. We look forward to continuing these long-standing relationships well into the future. Click the logos to connect to our Friends' websites (links will open in a new tab or window).
Milwaukee Public Schools |
Milwaukee County Parks |
Journey House entered into a 99-year agreement with MPS in 2011 to allow Journey House to build a facility adjacent to Longfellow Elementary School on South 21st Street at Scott Street. Construction began immediately, and we opened the doors to our new facility in 2012.
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In 2013 a dream project that had been in the works with Milwaukee County Parks became reality when we officially celebrated the grand opening of the Journey House Packers Stadium on Pierce Street at South 22nd Street in Milwaukee County's Mitchell Park.
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AffiliationsJourney House is affiliated as a member agency of prominent public and nonprofit institutions.
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PartnersJourney House has developed mutually beneficial working agreements with a number of committed partners.
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CollaboratorsJourney House regularly collaborates with organizations and institutions that help transform the Milwaukee community.
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Affiliations
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Journey House works closely with the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative to increase quality of life in Clarke Square.
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Journey House is a member agency of Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee, which raises funds for local nonprofits focused on social justice, animal welfare, and the environment.
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Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Financial Opportunity Centers (FOC) train participants to become more financially stable and prepared to enter or re-enter the workforce. Journey House serves as a FOC for Clarke Square.
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The Green Bay Packers donated and helped to install the former Ray Nitschke practice field, which now finds its home in Milwaukee County's Mitchell Park.
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Marquette University High School football (freshmen and JV) and lacrosse (all levels) teams play their home games at the Journey House Packers Stadium.
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Journey House adult education instructors are certified and commissioned by Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Our participants have access to online resources as if on an MATC campus. MATC also provides service learners to Journey House.
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Journey House's Felix Mantilla Little League is sponsored by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation sponsors uniforms and equipment for the league.
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In addition to our property agreement with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Journey House also coordinates four MPS Community Learning Centers (CLCs), after school programs to enrich students' lives academically and recreationally.
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UMOS is a workforce development partner. Our neighborhood Ambassadors Program is a partnership between Journey House, UMOS, and the City of Milwaukee.
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Journey House is one of eight United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM) member agencies. UNCOM exists to combine and enhance the assets of UNCOM partner agencies in order to improve quality of life for urban families.
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Wisconsin Technical College System is a significant investor in Journey House's Adult Education program, supporting our English Language Learner and GED programs, as well as promoting civic engagement.
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The Milwaukee Bucks have been a fantastic partner, helping us expose youth workers to the variety of careers available to them, running basketball camps, renovating basketball courts, and much more.
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The UW Extension has been a great partner for a long time, and our collaboration surrounding food systems and urban gardening is only the latest effort.
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Journey House has been fortunate to have worked with Froedtert Hospital & the Medical College of Wisconsin on many activities and collaborations to improve the lives of people we serve.
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Journey House and the United Way are working together on the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership in an effort to improve educational outcomes for Milwaukee's Public Schools.
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YES! for Schools is an initiative to create a culture of peace through stress-reducing breathing techniques, which help to increase academic and athletic performance.
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Community Building Milwaukee aligns with evidence-based practices to help participants remove barriers to communication and end dysfunctional attitudes and behavior.
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Partners
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Journey House participants learn about healthy lifestyles from Alverno College - School of Nursing students. Lessons are based on the interests of Journey House participants and incorporated into existing programming.
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Betty Brinn Children's Museum provides memberships to families who participate in Journey House programs. The partnership provides access to members-only events as well as keeps families up to date through the museum's newsletter.
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Journey House families can take advantage of the Urban Ecology Center's environmental and educational programs at UEC's Menomonee Valley location.
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Journey House and Discovery World maintain a "mi casa es su casa" relationship. Discovery World provides Journey House with access to meeting space and programs for youth and families. Journey House welcomes the Kohl's mobile lab on a regular basis.
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Journey House engages in a variety of partnerships with Marquette University. Journey House welcomes MU service learners and has been a partner in the university's Trinity Fellowship Program since its inception.
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Menomonee Valley Partners, Inc. is involved in and supports Journey House's initiatives that focus on economic and workforce development.
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All athletes who participate in Journey House athletics are required to have a Milwaukee Public Library card. MPL is our partner in increasing literacy among Milwaukee residents.
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Journey House engages in a variety of partnerships with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Journey House welcomes UWM service learners, and the university lends its athletic expertise for coach's clinics, camps, and development of athletics leagues.
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Journey House participants benefit from the Professional Clothing Drive held yearly by IREM and BOMA.
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Journey House participants benefit from the Professional Clothing Drive held yearly by IREM and BOMA.
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Collaborators
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Journey House staff benefit from professional development opportunities provided by Mount Mary University. The university also provides Journey House with service learners.
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Neighborhood News Service Milwaukee regularly provides coverage of activities at Journey House and in the Clarke Square neighborhood.
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Sam's Hope Literacy Foundation, in partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks, installed a large library collection in the Journey House teen lounge. The Bucks also regularly provide game tickets to Journey House participants.
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Waterstone Bank sponsors an advertisement promoting Journey House on Green Bay Packers pre- and post-game radio shows. The radio spot can be heard each Packers gameday on 620 WTMJ.
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Danielle Simone Photography has worked with Journey House to capture their successes in vivid and personal detail through photography.
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Teens Grow Greens assists our young teen leaders in a nine-month internship to learn, grown, and go!
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Bublr Bikes works with Journey House to discover affordable ways to sustain transportation and a healthy lifestyle through biking.
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Cardinal Capital Management, Inc. is working with Journey House to expand Journey House Campus Housing and create new build, affordable housing in the Clarke Square Neighborhood.
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Memberships
ProLiteracy, also known as ProLiteracy Worldwide, is an international nonprofit organization based in Syracuse, N.Y., that supports the people and programs that help adults learn to read and write.
Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. is a non-profit coalition of 75 community-based literacy programs located throughout the state. Our member programs provide much needed services to adults and families through dedicated staff and well-trained volunteer tutors. In Wisconsin, nearly a million residents qualify for our members' services.
Board of Directors
Journey House has one of the most active and engaged Board of Directors in the city of Milwaukee. Constantly seeking to offer their time and resources to the organization, the Journey House Board has played and continues to play a tremendous role in Journey House's success. We are grateful to all of our Board Members who volunteer their time to help Journey House empower families to move out of poverty.
Click for bio
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Mike Kleber - Chairman
Zilber Ltd/Zilber Property Group Mike Kleber is the Leasing Director for Metro Milwaukee and Kenosha at Zilber Property Group. Kleber graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 2006 with a B.A and after playing football for the university. Today he is on the board of several organizations in addition to Journey House, including Young Milwaukee Charitable Organization, Westown Association, and Community Advocates. |
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Click for bio
Theresa Plautz-Blazei
Treasurer Marquette University |
Click for bio
Carmen Ventura
Secretary Community Volunteer |
Click for bio
Eugene Manzanet
PNC Bank Retired Chairman |
Click for bio
Ray Arndt
Premier Legacy Wealth Management |
Click for bio
Fran Brzezinski
Interstate Partners, LLC |
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Click for bio
Frank Mauer
R&R Insurance Services, Inc |
Click for bio
John Miceli
Eppstein Uhen Artchitects, Inc |
Journey House Charitable Foundation
Established in 2011, the Journey House Charitable Foundation is a nonprofit, registered 501(c)(3) public charity whose principal purpose is to seek gifts, contributions, donations and bequests for Journey House, Inc. in support of its charitable purposes. The individuals below comprise the Journey House Charitable Foundation Board.
Greg Herrle
Board President Community Volunteer |
Kathryn Buono
Board Vice-President Briggs & Stratton |
Brian Kilb
Board Secretary Landaas & Co. |
Dan Kolb
Board Treasurer RBC Wealth |
Chris Caveli
Board Member Baird |
Barb Klein
Board Member Community Volunteer |
James Schlater
Retired Past Board President Secure Fire and Safety LLC |
Dr. Michele Bria
Journey House |
Advisors
Felix Mantilla, Community Volunteer
Reginald Harris, Community Volunteer
Les Weil, Community Volunteer
Reginald Harris, Community Volunteer
Les Weil, Community Volunteer
Advisory Committee
Ida Alejo
Jennifer Brown
Romonda Caldwell
Katherine Carlos
Demetrius Gaines
Catherine Peltz
Tyna Rule
Keth Stuck
Jennifer Brown
Romonda Caldwell
Katherine Carlos
Demetrius Gaines
Catherine Peltz
Tyna Rule
Keth Stuck
Packers Football Coaching and Parent Coordinator Team
Parent Coordinators:
Latrise Stewart
Wanda Rodriguez
Renee Johnson
Pee Wee Packers (ages 6 to 8)
Head Coach Duane Wilson
Assistant Coach
Junior Packers (ages 9 to 11)
Head Coach Martin Weddle
Assistant Coach Juan Hurtado
Major Packers (ages 12 to 14)
Head Coach Antwon Stokes
Assistant Coach Shamaine Banks
Latrise Stewart
Wanda Rodriguez
Renee Johnson
Pee Wee Packers (ages 6 to 8)
Head Coach Duane Wilson
Assistant Coach
Junior Packers (ages 9 to 11)
Head Coach Martin Weddle
Assistant Coach Juan Hurtado
Major Packers (ages 12 to 14)
Head Coach Antwon Stokes
Assistant Coach Shamaine Banks
Felix Mantilla Little League Coaching and Parent Coordinator Team
T-Ball (ages 3 to 6)
Leones, Naranjeros, Gigantes, & Senadores Head Coach Jerry and Assistant Coach Jodi Majerus
Ages 7 to 8
Leones Head Coach Miguel Santiago
Gigantes Head Coach Christopher Ojeda
Senadores Head Coach Adrian Villegas
Ages 9 to 10
Leones Head Coach Tim Corrigan and Assistant Coach Armando Sanchez
Gigantes Head Coach Chico Camus & Assistant Coach Solo Acosta
Naranjeros Head Coach Chato Duran & Assistant Coach Johnny Feliciano
Senadores Head Coach Julio Cruz
Ages 11 to 12
Leones Head Coach Roy Contreras
Gigantes Head Coach Jesse Marrero
Senadores Head Coach Ed Mendoza
Ages 13 to 15
Senadores Head Coach Fernando Rosa
Parent Coordinators:
Olga Cruz
Veronica Duran
Jacqueline Perez
Leones, Naranjeros, Gigantes, & Senadores Head Coach Jerry and Assistant Coach Jodi Majerus
Ages 7 to 8
Leones Head Coach Miguel Santiago
Gigantes Head Coach Christopher Ojeda
Senadores Head Coach Adrian Villegas
Ages 9 to 10
Leones Head Coach Tim Corrigan and Assistant Coach Armando Sanchez
Gigantes Head Coach Chico Camus & Assistant Coach Solo Acosta
Naranjeros Head Coach Chato Duran & Assistant Coach Johnny Feliciano
Senadores Head Coach Julio Cruz
Ages 11 to 12
Leones Head Coach Roy Contreras
Gigantes Head Coach Jesse Marrero
Senadores Head Coach Ed Mendoza
Ages 13 to 15
Senadores Head Coach Fernando Rosa
Parent Coordinators:
Olga Cruz
Veronica Duran
Jacqueline Perez
Criollos Baseball Travel and Parent Coordinator Team
Head Coaches:
Ages 9 to 10: Head Coach Chato Duran and Assistant Coach Julio Cruz
Ages 11 to 12: Head Coach Jesse Marrero
Ages 15 to 18: Head Coach Julian Haliga, Sr.
Parent Coordinators:
Masiel Gomez
Kari Waldenmeyer
Kevin O’Donnell
Add Felix Mantilla Little League Board:
Charles Brown, President
Eugene Manzanet, Vice-President
Dr. Michele Bria, Treasurer
Jacqueline Perez, Secretary
Ages 9 to 10: Head Coach Chato Duran and Assistant Coach Julio Cruz
Ages 11 to 12: Head Coach Jesse Marrero
Ages 15 to 18: Head Coach Julian Haliga, Sr.
Parent Coordinators:
Masiel Gomez
Kari Waldenmeyer
Kevin O’Donnell
Add Felix Mantilla Little League Board:
Charles Brown, President
Eugene Manzanet, Vice-President
Dr. Michele Bria, Treasurer
Jacqueline Perez, Secretary
