St. Joseph's Orphanage-Croatia
Dear Benefactors of St. Joseph’s Home for children.
About twenty one years ago I produced a video called “Making Povitica”. Almost immediately it was a hit and the sales amounted to $12,500. However I had no idea as to what to do with the money. Before this time, Croatia had suffered the effects of WWI, WWII, Fascism, Nazism, and Communism and the War of Liberation.
Fortunately, I have a cousin, Suzana Wolf, who lives in Croatia; works for the TV station there and is knowledgeable about the events and current political, social and religious situation. I asked her advice as to where the best place to invest these funds and she suggested St. Theresa’s Home for Children. I had the opportunity to visit there during the conflict, met Sister Katarina, the Carmelite nun in charge and viewed the condition of the building. Plumbing was rusting and there were water leaks throughout the building. Many rooms were empty because the Communists did not allow children to stay there past the age of four, fearing that the children would learn about God from the Carmelite nuns.
Sister Katarina said that it would cost $ 25,000 to fix
the plumbing. I reported my findings to concerned people back home, and one person came forward generously adding the additional $12,500, matching the amount from the Povitica video. The plumbing was repaired. Eventually
Sister Katarina pointed out that the roof leaked causing
the walls and floor to warp from the effects of the water. The donated funds were in addition, a new washer and dryer were installed.
In order to meet all legal requirements, we of Croatian descent living in Kansas City, Kansas formed The Croatian Council of Kansas City. The Croatian Council is a 401 C-3 legal entity and therefore your donations are tax deductible.
After putting St. Theresa’s in good shape, Sister Katarina joined her sister, Sister Kristina at St. Joseph’s Home, located in Hrvatski Leskovac, on the
outskirts of Zagreb. More challenges came as the pre WWI dormitory building was crumbling. Mold invaded the living space creating unhealthy and unsightly conditions. The nuns asked us to change our support from St. Theresa’s to St. Joseph’s, which we did.
Now that the new buildings have been constructed, the Sisters are burdened with an oppressive debt. The first phase of this project is finished: we have three houses for 30 children and youths. The second phase of the project includes building a new kitchen, common dining room and chapel.
The Carmelite Sisters wish to express their sincere appreciation to previous donors who made the repairs to St. Theresa’s possible. Their current need and prayer is for new donors to assist in the mission, which is to provide a safe and healthy environment for the infant to 7-year-old children at St. Theresa’s and the 8 to 18-year-old children at St. Joseph’s to prepare them for life in a country that has a 20% unemployment rate. We are also trying to raise funds for a new playground that was destroyed by a fire and to finish a park that will be used in therapy work for children who suffer from trauma.
Since I am on the verge of my 81st birthday, we thought it prudent to turn the reins over to my children. They have visited the orphanages and share my passion to continue this worthy cause.
Please help if you can,
Don Wolf
Lori Wolf Clark
Marina Wolf Friedlund
Steve Wolf
Christine Wolf Timmerman
Croatian Council of Kansas City Board Members:
Kenny Yarnevich
Ricky Mikesic
Greg Soptic
Jaime Clark
About twenty one years ago I produced a video called “Making Povitica”. Almost immediately it was a hit and the sales amounted to $12,500. However I had no idea as to what to do with the money. Before this time, Croatia had suffered the effects of WWI, WWII, Fascism, Nazism, and Communism and the War of Liberation.
Fortunately, I have a cousin, Suzana Wolf, who lives in Croatia; works for the TV station there and is knowledgeable about the events and current political, social and religious situation. I asked her advice as to where the best place to invest these funds and she suggested St. Theresa’s Home for Children. I had the opportunity to visit there during the conflict, met Sister Katarina, the Carmelite nun in charge and viewed the condition of the building. Plumbing was rusting and there were water leaks throughout the building. Many rooms were empty because the Communists did not allow children to stay there past the age of four, fearing that the children would learn about God from the Carmelite nuns.
Sister Katarina said that it would cost $ 25,000 to fix
the plumbing. I reported my findings to concerned people back home, and one person came forward generously adding the additional $12,500, matching the amount from the Povitica video. The plumbing was repaired. Eventually
Sister Katarina pointed out that the roof leaked causing
the walls and floor to warp from the effects of the water. The donated funds were in addition, a new washer and dryer were installed.
In order to meet all legal requirements, we of Croatian descent living in Kansas City, Kansas formed The Croatian Council of Kansas City. The Croatian Council is a 401 C-3 legal entity and therefore your donations are tax deductible.
After putting St. Theresa’s in good shape, Sister Katarina joined her sister, Sister Kristina at St. Joseph’s Home, located in Hrvatski Leskovac, on the
outskirts of Zagreb. More challenges came as the pre WWI dormitory building was crumbling. Mold invaded the living space creating unhealthy and unsightly conditions. The nuns asked us to change our support from St. Theresa’s to St. Joseph’s, which we did.
Now that the new buildings have been constructed, the Sisters are burdened with an oppressive debt. The first phase of this project is finished: we have three houses for 30 children and youths. The second phase of the project includes building a new kitchen, common dining room and chapel.
The Carmelite Sisters wish to express their sincere appreciation to previous donors who made the repairs to St. Theresa’s possible. Their current need and prayer is for new donors to assist in the mission, which is to provide a safe and healthy environment for the infant to 7-year-old children at St. Theresa’s and the 8 to 18-year-old children at St. Joseph’s to prepare them for life in a country that has a 20% unemployment rate. We are also trying to raise funds for a new playground that was destroyed by a fire and to finish a park that will be used in therapy work for children who suffer from trauma.
Since I am on the verge of my 81st birthday, we thought it prudent to turn the reins over to my children. They have visited the orphanages and share my passion to continue this worthy cause.
Please help if you can,
Don Wolf
Lori Wolf Clark
Marina Wolf Friedlund
Steve Wolf
Christine Wolf Timmerman
Croatian Council of Kansas City Board Members:
Kenny Yarnevich
Ricky Mikesic
Greg Soptic
Jaime Clark
Organizer and beneficiary
Don Wolf
Organizer
Basehor, KS
Lori Wolf Clark
Beneficiary