In 2009, Lena traveled to the Dominican Republic for community-building volunteer work in under-resourced, predominantly Haitian, neighborhoods outside the capital. After witnessing the immense health disparities, marginalization, and the aftermath of colonization and racism upon this part of her community, she felt compelled to continue her efforts to bring aid to this area of the world. In 2013, Lena began donating 5-50% of sales from commission work, prints, etc., to Lide Haiti, a non-profit dedicated to providing vocational and artistic training to Haitian girls. Lena continues to send a monthly donation regardless of state of her art sales.

Partial proceeds are also regularly sent to the Center of Biological Diversity; a non-profit that promotes and encourages social activism and awareness regarding environmental preservation and animal rights. 

As a member, ally, and advocate of the Latinx & Black community, Lena finds it incumbent to find ways to contribute and participate actively in the recent wave of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Lena is piecing together work and improved platforms of articulating sound information and resources. Currently, 5% of sales are being donated to Freedom Community Clinic’s donation partnership with Fundación Bochinche, a non-profit organization providing food and healing kits/circles to Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities confronting ongoing trauma and governmental oppression.

Lena is constantly looking to expand donations and hopes to one day be able to give much more. As of now, this is what is manageable.  

Thank you to all who have been a support to not only Lena’s artwork but also the promotion of wellness amongst communities she holds close to her heart.