Bob’s commitment to supporting foster youth began early in life through his family’s involvement in sponsoring young people in foster care. Growing up, he witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that a safe, stable, and nurturing home can have on a young person’s future. One especially meaningful experience involved a teen mother and her two-year-old son who became part of his family’s support network. Bob became known as “Uncle Bobby” to the young boy and took an active role in encouraging his growth and development.

Years later, while running for Portland City Council, Bob gained a deeper understanding of the challenges facing youth who age out of the foster care system. He learned that many of these young adults face housing instability, food insecurity, and an increased risk of addiction without the support systems needed to successfully transition to independence. This realization reinforced his belief that communities must be more proactive in supporting vulnerable youth before they enter cycles of homelessness and crisis.

Professionally, Bob served as a member of Tony Robbins’ executive leadership team, where he was immersed in personal development, coaching methodologies, and leadership training programs. He also led large teams of highly skilled coaches dedicated to helping individuals unlock their potential and achieve meaningful goals. Drawing on this experience, along with years of coaching youth athletic programs for both boys and girls, Bob will help guide the early development of Bridgetown1821+’s mentorship and life-skills programming. His philosophy is simple: young people cannot fail when they are willing to keep trying, learning, and moving forward.