CELEBRATION TO REVEAL NEW LOOK FOR BELGRADE YOUTH CENTER

The City of Belgrade, the U.S. Embassy Belgrade via the Ambassador's Fund for Refugees, the Telenor Foundation and the Vlade Divac Children's Foundation have combined forces and funds to renovate the Shelter and Reception Center for Children and Adolescents in Belgrade. The shelter has recently undergone a complete upgrade to better suit the needs of the children who live in the center, which includes fully remodeled facilities and new educational and medical equipment. Donor assistance has also made it possible for the shelter to publish Say Hello to Somebody, a collection of short stories and drawings by the center's youth.

Center Manager Danijela Stajković is extremely grateful for the support. “The biggest satisfaction for the children and for all of us who work in centers like these is when society demonstrates its commitment to children and understands the challenges they face. Every year, we accommodate up to 600 vulnerable children, including runways, migrants, and street children. We appreciate the generous support from donors, which has made it possible for us to better care for the children here. The impression these children have when they enter these clean, bright rooms is that someone will watch over them,” she said.

Donors and press will gather at the center June 24, 2008 to celebrate the completion of renovations. The event will include a recital prepared by the children to feature popular singer Leontina. The children will also read excerpts from Say Hello to Somebody.

Donor representatives present will include: Zoran Alimpic - Mayor of Belgrade, Cameron Munter - U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Sandra Stajner - Director for Corporate Communications, Telenor, Ana Koeshall - Director of the Vlade Divac Children's Foundation.

City Secretary Ljiljana Jovcic, Director of the Institute for Education of Children and Youth Vasilije Tesovic and Shelter Manager Danijela Stajkovic will also be present.

All interested journalists are invited to attend the press conference at the Shelter and Reception Center for Children and Adolescents which will take place: Tuesday, June 24, 11:00 a.m. Bulevar Oslobodjenja 219, Belgrade