Community Champions Series, July 2026
| In this series, we celebrate the individuals whose dedication, compassion, and commitment are helping young people thrive, and whose everyday actions are making a lasting difference across our community. Community Champions go above and beyond to create safe spaces, open doors, and offer steady support when it matters most. |
Bob Bernu
Bob joined our volunteer team last year and is celebrating his 1-year anniversary with us this July! Since last Summer, he gets up early every Tuesday morning to pick up meals from one of our community partners and deliver them to our programs. These meals help us directly address food insecurity by providing free, healthy, and convenient options to young people in our programs. Bob is such a joy to work with and we are incredibly grateful to have him on our team. Please join us in celebrating his volunteer-iversary with The Link!
Please tell us a little bit about your business and team and how you are involved with supporting The Link.
While spending most of my professional career as an IT entrepreneur, I have always been drawn to wanting to help alleviate the suffering of others in the community in which I live. In 2015 I attended graduate school earning a Master’s degree in Addiction Studies and worked part time in the Family Program for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation for 8 years. My experience at Hazelden reinforced my belief in being of service and the incredible privilege it is to walk along side those who are suffering.
The Link has graciously offered me the opportunity to deliver meals on Tuesdays to the Lindquist Apartments and The Link’s main office. I pick the meals up at Kitchen Coalition and then make my two stops. As I am driving to both locations, I try to think about who will be eating the meals I’m delivering each week, what personal stories they carry, and hope the love I carry in my heart for them is somehow felt as they enjoy a great meal.
How did you get introduced to The Link?
My introduction to The Link came via Google!! I just searched for nonprofits in the Twin Cities and reached out to 3 or 4. The Link was the first to respond and I was immediately impressed by the staffs friendliness and openness to plugging me in as a volunteer.
When you learned about The Link, what inspired you to get involved?
The Link’s commitment to end youth homelessness by offering a safe, nurturing place to live along with their outreach to sexually exploited young people really caught my eye. The fact The Link is on the streets of Minneapolis reaching out and connecting to youth and not far away in some ivory tower really inspires me.
When you think about the future of our community, what role do you see The Link playing, and why is that role so vital right now?
The Link plays a pivotal role today in advocating for our marginalized youth who really lack a voice in society. Many organizations offer youth services, what makes The Link unique is their high level of effectiveness and understanding of the real needs and issues of our young people who are most vulnerable. As Federal and State funding and services are cut, The Link’s vital role and presence will only increase.
How would you describe The Link to a friend who has never heard of us?
I already speak to friends and family about The Link. I tell them The Link strikes me as an organization that is tireless in its commitment to a youth population that is exploited, forgotten, misunderstood and neglected. I tell them The Link’s sees the goodness and potential of these young people and gives them the opportunity to heal and rebuild their lives.
I am so grateful to be part of this amazing organization!