A short history of the Center:

We were founded by the Archbishopric of Rijeka, Croatia, on July 26, 1995. A couple of years later, on March 1, 2001, our Center was registered at the level of the State's Ministry of Work and Social Care.


From the very beginning OUR MISSION has been to return hope for a better life to those who lost it. Through material, spiritual and psychological assistance we want to demonstrate to the most needy ones - abused and neglected women and children particularly - that goodness does exist in this world. We strive to make everyone an independent and active member of the community.
Thus far we have accommodated several hundreds of women and children. We have always been a multiconfessional and multiethnic community that extends its hand of help to everyone equally.


The Center's general projects or activities include but are not limited to:

1. The Caritas' Home for Women and Children --the Vicitms of Family Abuse, "Saint Ann"
  1. Accommodation of the abused women and children, as well as unmarried young pregnant women in the house of "Saint Ann," with spiritual, material and psychological assistance on a daily basis;
  2. Encouraging and enabling mothers for independent life through rehabilitation programs and working activities in the community of "Saint Ann",
  3. Resocialization of needy women, particularly young/teenage mothers, and preparation for a productive life in family and society.

2. The Mobile Counseling Center -- "Woman in Need"

  1. Free counselling, material help and spiritual guidance and support for any woman encountering an unplanned pregnancy;
  2. Free counselling for any person who encounters personal difficulties, problems in marriage, etc.;
  3. Counselling of the families of women who live in the community of "Saint Ann";
  4. Permanent distribution of clothes and equipment for poor children age 0-3.
Thus far we have consulted more than 3000 people. Our slogan is that life begins at the moment of conception and deserves an absolute protection.

3. The Center for Exhibitions and Sale --"While you are buying, you are helping."

  1. Presentation and sale of the works of the protégés of the Center for Mothers and Children;
  2. Presentation and sale of the gifts of the donors to the Center for Mothers and Children.
This Center was opened in 1996, following the examples of other Caritas European projects. All the money from the sale goes into the fond of our Center St. Anna and Counselling Center.


4. Recent Project -- "Education for a More Dignified Life."

This project has several objectives:

  1. Organize educational programs for women who have not completed their primary or secondary education.
  2. Provide vocational and secondary school equivalency education for those who have finished their primary education, thus allowing them to become marketable in a skilled workforce.
  3. Provide courses and internship for women who have not completed their secondary education and are unable to find a job with their current level of experience in their chosen vocation.

We have other needs and plans to improve the quality of life in our house:

  • to get the equipment for sowing: four sowing machines with several operations and one sowing machine with two needles
  • Public speakers for the house
  • Another phone line
  • Equipping the room for group therapeutic sessions and for course work (computer, projector)

We have always counted on good will of different institutions, companies and individuals who found our mission valuable to sponsor our activities, and we hope there are more of you who will be ready to help us to realize our plans.

Please do not hesitate to visit us, our door is open to everyone. Mothers, children and workers of St. Anna will be more than happy to welcome you in our home.