Selma was also a resident of the Landings Complex, but lived in a building unaffected by the fire.
"I believe in helping people, I am actually a refugee from Bosnia so I know how it feels to lose everything in one day and I feel very sorry for everything that happened to these people," Hurem said.
When the fire broke out, Esma and Jasko ran for their lives with just their cell phones, purse and wallet. They lost everything else and won't be able to return home for a year.
Kendic is also a refugee from the Bosnian war. A single mother, Kendic arrived in America at age 21 in 1996 after losing everything.
A very generous hotelier throws a 16th birthday party for a boy and his family who lost everything in a fatal fire last week in Des Plaines @chicagoproudabc7 pic.twitter.com/f39Z5xsJfH
— Ravi Baichwal (@BaichwalABC7) September 19, 2018
"It is shocking for us, family, for everyone that was living in the complex," Kendic said of the fire.
In the midst of his family's loss, Hurem thought it was only right to make something of Jasko's sweet 16 Wednesday, so she pulled together food donated from area businesses and clothes donated from strangers.
"I will always remember this happening," Jasko said. "Everyone is trying to help out. It was nice of them."
"I could pass the message, this could happen to anyone," Kendic said. "We have to stand for each other in any kind of circumstances."