Our Story

Organization was born in 2014, when two Lithuanians, Aura Copeland and Raminta Lilaite went to Haiti for the first time. During their first trip they visited several schools and orphanages, spoke with their directors and tried to understand where and how they could make an impact in the lives of the most vulnerable children.

During one of such visits in the most violent Cite-Soleil neighborhood, they witnessed a group of boys who spontaneously started making music with self-made instruments. Very soon, other kids started gathering around, singing, dancing and a complete transformation was happening before their eyes.

This was the moment when the idea for CREATE was born. A month later Aura went back to Port-au-Prince where she started teaching art and design classes herself at two orphanages. Eventually she started hiring and training local teachers, expanding the curriculum and enrolling more and more orphanages into the CREATE, - arts, design, music, dance and English language program.

Founder/CEO Aura Copeland

Bonita Marissa Lima, - Chair of Advisory Committee in New York

Bonita Marissa Lima is a highly experienced project management professional with more than 10 years of expertise in governance, social and economic development, and private sector operations. Currently serving as a Project Associate with the Guyana Development Initiative, she has held diverse leadership roles throughout her career, including Country Coordinator for a Canadian-funded economic growth project in Guyana and Executive Director of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Global Studies from the University of the West Indies.

Karen Francis Lawrence, - Member of Advisory Committee in Miami

Karen Francis Lawrence is a General Partner and VP of Development at Swiss Based ad-tech company Screenist Technologies. She focuses on business development efforts for the platform, network partnerships, media and content collaborations.

Prior to joining Screenist Technologies, Karen Francis was a partner at Nations Lending in Miami, where she achieved growth and partnered with The top Luxury Real Estate Global brand,- Premier Elite. While in Atlanta she seeded her interest in entrepreneurship by co-founding and operating a commercial Architectural Precast business.

She is the co-founder of the Block Society where she is focused on cryptocurrency and digital assets. She is the founder of Loving Arms Miami,- a nonprofit. She also serves on the Advisory Committee of Les Couleurs Charity, Advisory Board For LC Art Gallery, Board member of Film Productions at Seacam Inc.

She is on a host committee at Art Bound Miami, Proponent of the Annual Bitcoin Conference, Affiliate of Miami Tech Month.

Internationally awarded Independent Film Producer of community based philanthropic films. An unbridled passion for the creativity and arts.