CROWN PRINCESS KATHERINE AND LIFELINE CHICAGO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO CHILDREN’S HOME “SPOMENAK” IN PANČEVO

Belgrade, August 18, 2026 – A room can be so much more than four walls. For children growing up without parental care, a warm and welcoming place to gather, relax, study, talk, and simply spend time together can bring an important sense of comfort, belonging, and home.

Through the generosity of The Three Kolo Group of Serbian Sisters of Illinois, Lifeline Humanitarian Organization of Chicago, under the patronage of HRH Crown Princess Katherine, has completed the renovation and refurnishing of the large shared living area at the Spomenak Home for Children and Youth Without Parental Care in Pančevo, Serbia.

The project was made possible by the extraordinary and continued support of three Kolos of Serbian Sisters: St. George of Joliet, Illinois; Kneginja Zorka of Lansing, Illinois; and St. Archangel Michael of Lansing, Illinois.

The room, where the children and young people of Spomenak spend much of their time together, has been completely transformed. Fresh paint and modern wallpaper brought new life to the walls, while new draperies, a replacement door, decorative artwork, and thoughtfully selected furnishings created a brighter, warmer, and more comfortable environment.

A new large sofa and armchair provide a place to relax and gather, while a new table and chairs offer space for activities and time together. New cabinetry, a coffee table, and a television complete the room, turning what was once a worn communal area into a space the young residents can truly enjoy and take pride in.

But this project is about far more than new furniture.

For children and young people living in institutional care, their surroundings are part of their everyday lives. Creating a beautiful, comfortable space tells them something important: You matter. You are cared for. You have not been forgotten.

This project continues the longstanding mission of Lifeline Chicago and the HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation to improve the lives and living conditions of vulnerable children throughout Serbia and Republika Srpska. It also reflects the remarkable commitment of the Three Kolo Group of Serbian Sisters, whose generosity has repeatedly brought meaningful and lasting change to those most in need.

HRH Crown Princess Katherine expressed her gratitude:

“I am very happy that we have once again succeeded in bringing joy to the children and youth at the ‘Spomenak’ Home and providing them with a nicer and more comfortable space for their daily stay. Every child deserves to grow up in a warm and supportive environment, and initiatives like these contribute to their sense of security, belonging, and happiness. I sincerely thank our dear sisters, representatives of the three Kolo Serbian Sisters from Illinois, for their generosity and continued support. Together, we can always do more to ensure that children feel loved and know that they are not forgotten.”

Representatives of the Spomenak Home expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the donors, emphasizing that the newly renovated space will have a lasting and positive impact on the daily lives of the children and young people in their care.

Lifeline Chicago extends its deepest gratitude to the women of the Three Kolo Group of Serbian Sisters. Their compassion reaches far beyond Illinois. Through their generosity, they have helped create a place in Pančevo where children can gather, laugh, learn, build friendships, and feel a little more at home.

Sometimes changing a life begins with changing the space in which that life unfolds.