Raphael Van Putten
Founder/Executive Director
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Raphael Van Putten is the visionary Founder and Executive Director of the Back to Hope Foundation. A graduate of Miami Dade College. Raphael majored in Film and Video Technology with a minor in Psychology—an academic foundation that shaped his ability to merge storytelling with emotional depth. As a passionate student filmmaker, he produced several independent student films that explored the power of human connection, perseverance, and faith. His early experiences behind the camera revealed not just a love for visual storytelling, but a calling to use film as a tool for transformation and empowerment.
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Throughout his career, Raphael’s passion for youth and young adults has been the heartbeat of his mission. He has devoted himself to inspiring, uplifting, and motivating underserved individuals in every community he touches. His unwavering commitment to excellence and growth drives his belief that every young person has untapped potential waiting to be discovered. Through mentorship, education, and creative expression, Raphael continues to champion programs that cultivate leadership, confidence, and purpose in the next generation.
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Raphael’s community service is as diverse as it is impactful. He served with The Hundred Black Men Program, helping at-risk boys become the best versions of themselves through mentorship and discipline. With the Urban League of Greater Miami, he helped implement innovative youth programs designed to help inner-city teens identify their passions and career paths. As Director of Children’s Ministry, he guided children in understanding God’s unchanging Word through scripture, while as Media Ministry Director at The Bethel Church, he taught volunteer youth the behind-the-scenes aspects of video production for a congregation of over two thousand.
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His commitment to education and empowerment extends beyond ministry. Raphael volunteered with Excellence in Education, a First Union Bank initiative that connected academic achievement with financial literacy, teaching youth how education and money management work hand in hand. He also served as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Take Stock in Children, guiding students toward academic success, self-confidence, and a vision for their future.
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Through the Back to Hope Foundation, Raphael brings his experience full circle—using documentary filmmaking to give voice to nonprofits and the communities they serve. His vision is to tell authentic stories through the eyes of those making a difference, capturing their challenges, triumphs, and transformative impact. Looking ahead, Raphael remains steadfast in his mission to teach, motivate, and restore hope among youth, families, and communities—one story, one film, and one life at a time.