09 Apr Boca Helping Hands Appoints New Executive Director
Boca Helping Hands (BHH) is proud to announce the appointment of Andrew D. Hagen as its new Executive Director, effective June 2025.
Andy brings decades of leadership experience, a deep commitment to service, and a strong connection to the Boca Helping Hands mission. For the past 20 years, he has served as Senior Pastor of Advent Life Ministries in Boca Raton, leading an $8 million organization with 90 employees across two church campuses, two schools, and a Senior Living Center. His tenure was marked by vision, compassion, and a focus on building meaningful impact both locally and globally.
“Boca Helping Hands is a first-class charitable organization providing food, resources, and job training to those in need,” Hagen said. “They seek to offer more than a ‘handout’—they offer a ‘hand up’ to a better life.”
Born and raised in Michigan, Andy earned his undergraduate degree from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and went on to receive both a Master’s Degree and Doctorate from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He served as pastor at two Lutheran churches in Chicago before relocating to Florida.
A longtime supporter of BHH, Andy has served on the organization’s Board of Directors for the past eight years and actively volunteers at BHH’s Lake Worth Pantry Distribution site, where he helps provide food and support to families in need.
“Andy’s long history of service, his leadership skills, and his heart for the community make him an ideal choice to lead Boca Helping Hands,” said Gary Peters, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We are excited for this next chapter.”
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy is a published author, an avid guitar player, a passionate cook, and an enthusiastic traveler. He has participated in mission trips to Haiti, the Bahamas, India, and Bangladesh. He is happily married to Susan Dingle, a Clinical Psychologist, and is the proud father of two married children and grandfather of three.
As Executive Director, Andy will oversee BHH’s daily operations, staff, and programs, including food distribution, job training, financial assistance, and medical and dental care—serving nearly 35,000 people annually.
In partnership with XO, 
The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center’s Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center (Levis JCC Sandler Center) is excited to present "Remnants," an art exhibition by acclaimed artist and photographer Lew Lautin, now through March 28 at the Judi & Allan Schuman Museum Gallery. This captivating showcase features over 40 pieces from Lautin's extensive portfolio, including composites made from family photographs, restored images from over 3,000 of his father’s negatives dating back to the 1920s, and works from his "Hunger at Home" series, depicting South Florida's homeless community. The exhibition provides a profound visual narrative blending Lautin’s rich history with his creativity and insight.
Lautin’s artistry delves into the transformation of historic family photographs into fine art, combining restoration techniques with an innovative approach to storytelling. "My passion as an artist is to look deep into each image until I am able to transform that frozen moment into the magic beyond the image and then to share that magic with the world," says Lautin.
Lautin’s artistic journey began when he was 12, inspired by a second-hand Zeiss Icon 35mm camera, a meaningful gift from his father purchased from a Brooklyn pawn shop. His father, M. Edmund Lautin, was also a prolific photographer, whose works have been masterfully restored by Lew and now reside in the permanent collection of the Boca Raton Museum of Art. As a resident of Boca Raton for more than 20 years, Lautin has significantly contributed to local arts education, teaching photography at both the Boca Raton Museum of Art and the Coral Springs Museum of Art.
"We are honored to host Lautin’s notable exhibition," said Susana Flaum, Judi & Allan Schuman Museum Gallery Director. "His distinctive approach to transforming family history into visual art pieces provides our community with an inspiring look at our collective heritage.”
The exhibition is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit levisjcc.org/culture, call 561-558-2520, or email susanaf@levisjcc.org. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Levis JCC Sandler Center, 21050 95th Avenue S., Boca Raton.
About the Levis JCC Sandler Center
The Levis JCC Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center highlights renowned talent from artists and actors to authors and so much more and gives adults of all ages and faiths an opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests in continuing education, travel, and social events. Learn more at levisjcc.org/culture or call 561-558-2520.
About the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center
The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center promotes and enhances Jewish culture, heritage, and values through educational, spiritual, social, wellness and recreational programs for individuals of all ages. With a preschool, summer camp, family activities, athletics, cultural arts, adult enrichment, and special needs programming, as well as a Resale Boutique, the Levis JCC offers something for everyone.
