Our Story

Family Friends begins...
as a volunteer mentoring program in the 1970's created by a team of Park Nicollet physicians. Their intent was to take a proactive role with struggling youth and families by encouraging and guiding them to a better way of life.

Then Bud Boberg...
takes the helm of the organization through a partnership with Minnetonka Baptist Church. In 1987, Family Friends is registered as a 501(c) as a Minnesota nonprofit corporation and with  Bud's leadership, the organization establishes deep roots in the Minnetonka community. Specifically, Bud brings Family Friends into the Minnetonka Schools working closely with  administrators and staff to support students and families beyond the scope of what the school can provide.

Family Friends then expands...
with the success of Bud's outreach as funding is made available to place two additional outreach workers in both middle schools. This "in the trenches" model proves to be an effective way in gaining access to and ultimately supporting those students and families in need.

Family Friends continues...
as a referral-based outreach program partnering closely with The Minnetonka Public Schools as well as local community agencies. Outreach workers remain to be an accessible presence in the schools seeking out and serving those looking for a better way of life.

Bud Boberg: Walking His Faith.

A pillar in the Minnetonka community, Bud Boberg left the private sector to answer the call to serve others. Assuming the early role as Executive Director of Family Friends, Bud brought the organization into the Minnetonka Schools establishing roots built upon trust and dependability. Working in partnership with school principals, support staff and teachers, Bud built a reputation of walking his faith in how he served youth and families in need. With the absence of judgement, Bud shared God's love with encouragement and acceptance of those who needed his support. As lay pastor and police chaplain, Bud brought his wisdom and experience to Family Friends in shepherding youth and families through adversity with a calm sense of authority. Simply put, Bud became a "go to" when the schools and law enforcement needed someone to step up and go the extra mile for a kid. Family Friends has been and will continue to always be "Bud" as his legacy of walking his faith continues in the current and future footsteps of the organization.