Lifeline Humanitarian Organization of Chicago, under the patronage of HRH Crown Princess Katherine, enabled adults with disabilities and intellectual developmental difficulties from the Kovačica Day Center to spend five days in Zlatibor, one of Serbia’s best-known mountain resorts.
Thanks to a generous donation from St. George Serbian Orthodox Church and its Circle of Serbian Sisters in Schererville, Indiana, Lifeline Chicago organized a five-day stay at the Sunčani Breg Hotel in Zlatibor, with accommodation and meals provided, for eight participants from the Kovačica Day Center and four accompanying staff members.
Through this initiative, Lifeline Chicago continues to assist people who need support and help improve their quality of life. The stay in Zlatibor gave participants the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountain, spend time in pleasant surroundings, and enjoy the company of their friends.
Lifeline Chicago extends its sincere gratitude to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church and its Circle of Serbian Sisters in Schererville, whose generosity made this trip possible. The organization also thanks the staff of the Kovačica Day Center for their daily efforts and care for the participants.
Dušanka Petrak, Director of the Kovačica Day Center, stated: “There are no words to express how grateful we are for the opportunity to spend five wonderful days in beautiful Zlatibor again this year. We were especially happy to reunite with our friends from the Kikinda Day Center and to spend three more days together than we did last year.
During their stay in Zlatibor, our participants enjoyed walks along the mountain trails and around Zlatibor Lake, visited Dino Park, went shopping, and made the most of their free time. We also organized joint workshops, board games, and evenings of music with the participants from Kikinda. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed these activities, which also helped the participants develop their social skills and build friendships.
Spending several days away from their families was a significant challenge for our participants and their parents alike, but with the help of the staff who accompanied them, they managed it successfully. Being away from home, meeting new people, and adapting to unfamiliar surroundings all help our participants become more independent and develop their social skills. These experiences are extremely valuable, not only for the participants themselves but also for their families. This trip has been an important step forward in their personal development.”
Through initiatives such as this, Lifeline Chicago continues its humanitarian mission under the patronage of HRH Crown Princess Katherine, providing assistance to those who need it most.