Villa Charities Visioning Project Completed
Villa Charities has come to the end of its extensive community-wide engagement project. Approximately 200 people participated in the series of 12 visioning sessions that were held for numerous constituent groups, including the local and Italian communities, young adults, seniors, cultural industry leaders, the long-term care community and health care sector, Board members and staff. We would like to express our thanks to everyone who participated in the Villa Charities Visioning Project. A comprehensive final report summarizing the findings from the visioning sessions will be shared with our stakeholders and made available to the public in the near future.

Register by January 25 for our March Break Camp and Save!
For over 20 years, Villa Charities’ Columbus Centre March Break Camp has focused on giving children a memorable retreat where they can interact with others in a fun and exciting environment. Register for the Columbus Centre March Break Camp by January 25 and receive $25 off for each camper registration between 4 and 12 years of age, including Dance Camp, Visual Arts & Crafts Camp, Kitchen Camp and Magic Camp. Give your child a week of interactive fun and learning and register today!

Attend the Opening Night Reception for “Home on the Streets” and “Nowhere to Call Home” Exhibitions
Villa Charities cordially invites you and a guest to attend the Opening Night Reception for our January exhibitions at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre. Join us on January 24 at 6:30pm for the Canadian premiere of Marco Sassone’s “Home on the Streets”, which depicts the personal tragedy of homelessness and its seemingly permanent place in our urban landscape. Also on this occasion we will feature Leah Denbok’s “Nowhere to Call Home”, a photo-designed exhibition of Toronto’s homeless. Please RSVP to rsvp@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 ext. 248.

Register for Adult Bootcamp and Adult Ballet Classes with DanzArts Toronto
Geared towards adults who are interested in full-body exercise, our classes at DanzArts Toronto at the Columbus Centre provide a complete body workout. Our Adult Dance Bootcamp is a high-energy class fusing full-body circuit training with motivating music for a calorie-burning power hour. Our Adult Ballet classes help develop strength, flexibility and endurance for the proper performance of ballet while also learning the importance of creating beautiful lines, form and ballet posture. Winter term classes begin January 28. Register today!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at our Culinary Workshop
Explore beginner level rustic recipes for contemporary living in an intimate and interactive culinary experience. Join us on February 14 at 6pm for a special Valentine’s Day workshop, “Eat, Cook, Love: Steak and Beef Tartar with Aphrodisiac-inspired sides.” All workshops will include a pairing of wine and a communal meal to enjoy your culinary creations with the other participants. Winter term workshops run from February 14 to April 4.

Second Session for Impressionist Painting Just Added
Due to popular demand, we have added a second session for our impressionist painting workshop "The Starry Night". Join us on Thursday, January 31 at 6:30pm at the Columbus Centre, where we will be crafting our own interpretations of Van Gogh’s classic painting. Classes are available for $40 + HST per person. All materials including paint and a canvas will be provided.

Columbus Centre School of Music Offering Free Lessons this Winter
Looking to explore your musical passion? The Columbus Centre School of Music’s Free Trial Week will be running from January 28 – February 2. Book today and receive a free, 30-minute lesson on an instrument of your choice. Spaces are limited and booked on a first come, first served basis. Contact the Arts, Youth & Culture Department by phone or email to reserve your spot today!

Explore Women of the Italian Renaissance in Cultural Tuesdays Series
Dr. Sarah Rolfe Prodan returns to host the next series of presentations as part of our Cultural Tuesdays events. Join us on Tuesday, January 22 at 7pm at the Columbus Centre to discuss writer and religious reformer Vittoria Colonna, Marchioness of Pescara (1490/1492-1547). Visit Ristorante Boccaccio before or after the presentation to enjoy a prix-fixe dinner with your choice of wine or Prosecco.

Enjoy a Free Reading of “Diary of a Tufurolo” in our Diaspora Series
Join us on Saturday, January 19 at 4pm for the next free event in our Diaspora Series in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre. The presentation will include a diary reading with author Bruna Di Giuseppe followed by conversations with Gianna Patriarca (poet), Alessandro Ruggera (Director, Istituto Italiano di Cultura) and Daniela Sanzone (Publicist and Author). 

Get 50% off your Giro Registration with our Early Bird Special
We are gearing up for the 13th Annual Villa Charities Giro cycling fundraiser on May 26 at the Veneto Centre in Woodbridge. Register with our Early Bird Special today and receive 50% off your registration fee. Offer ends January 31, so sign up before it’s too late!

Residents Attend La Festa della Befana at Casa Del Zotto
On January 10, the residents at Casa Del Zotto gathered in the Common Room to celebrate “La Festa della Befana”. Organized by Centro Anziani, the afternoon began with a delicious lunch, accompanied by traditional Italian music. The Befana made her grand entrance and greeted each resident individually, handing out candy and treats along the way. The residents enjoyed the rest of the afternoon, laughing and dancing with the Befana.

Villa Colombo Toronto Hosts Monthly Family Support Group
On January 16, Villa Colombo Toronto hosted their first monthly family support group of the year at the Family Resource Centre. A range of topics were covered, such as dealing with a loved one’s deterioration and the impact on the family, understanding Alzheimer’s and dementia, the benefits of long-term care and more. If you are interested in attending a future family support group session, please contact Rosanna De Rango at 416-789-2113, ext 2256.

Villa Colombo Vaughan Implements BSRT to Enhance Care for Residents
Villa Colombo Vaughan recently held a launch party to welcome the Behavioural Support Resource Team, who will help enhance the health care services for the seniors in our long-term care. The BSRT will meet regularly to discuss new program ideas to engage the residents, and work with their families and caregivers to develop individualized behavioural care plans.

Don’t Miss the Toronto Premiere of Opera Atelier’s “The Angel Speaks”
Our friends at Opera Atelier will present “The Angel Speaks”, Thursday, February 21 at 8pm at the Royal Ontario Museum. This gorgeous one-hour concert experience melds musical masterpieces by the great English composer Henry Purcell with baroque dance – and a new Canadian commission. Featuring Mireille Asselin (soprano), Jesse Blumberg (baritone), Artists of Atelier Ballet in baroque costume, violinist Edwin Huizinga and members of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

Villa Charities Inc. | 416-789-7011 | info@villacharities.com | www.villacharities.com