#GivingTuesday is around the corner!
Donate early to send Holiday Baskets to our seniors
GivingTuesday is around the corner, which means Christmas is around the corner too. And this year, Christmas will be very different for our seniors who call Casa Abruzzo, Caboto Terrace, and Casa Del Zotto home.
 
In years past, the holidays at the Villa Charities apartment buildings for seniors have been filled with visitors and family get-togethers. Residents coming and going for mass during Advent, holiday parties with friends and neighbours, Nonnis baking and sharing their favourite cookies, and many more celebrations.
 
But with the second wave of COVID-19 worse than the first, the provincial and local governments have asked everyone to stay home and limit interactions with those outside their household.
 
As our community continues to cope with the pandemic, Villa Charities remains committed to the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable population, our seniors.
 
To spread a little holiday cheer, Villa Charities is preparing Holiday Baskets for our residents at Casa Abruzzo, Caboto Terrace, and Casa Del Zotto. Each Basket will contain festive food items to be enjoyed in the safety and comfort of home.
 
On December 1st, charities around the globe will be celebrating Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving that follows Black Friday and Cycle Monday.
 
This #GivingTuesday please consider donating to support Villa Charities’ Holiday Baskets for Seniors.
 
Your generous donation will spread joy and hope this holiday season and remind our seniors that they are not alone. 


Stay tuned for an interview with two very special Casa Abruzzo apartment residents!
Villa Charities is Looking for Board Members!
The Villa Charities Board of Directors is currently seeking new members who are accomplished leaders in their fields and will be strategic leaders for the organization, playing a key role in driving our mission’s impact even further. New Board Members will be passionate about Italian culture, help shape a vision for the future of Villa Charities and our place within a diverse and multi-cultural Canadian society. Deadline to apply is December 31.

Have a Drink, Stay for the Conversation with our “Learn Italian by Doing” Online Workshops
“Art & Aperitivo” is an opportunity to talk about art in a relaxed environment while enjoying our favourite drink together virtually. In this free online interactive workshop, we will discuss the most significant art news and events from around the world using Italian magazines and newspapers. Join us online tonight November 26, at 7:00pm, to share our passion for art and culture and how it blends with life. RSVP required.
 
Join us for the Next Session of our Club del Libro Online Book Club
From the salons of the 18th century to the social reading of 2020, the literary circle is a time-honoured practice, which promotes culture and being together. Our new book club is an opportunity to explore and discuss contemporary Italian literature while learning Italian. Club del Libro continues the literary adventure with part four of The Neapolitan Novels, “Storia della bambina perduta/The Story of the Lost Child” by famous and pseudonymous Italian novelist, Elena Ferrante. Join us Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00pm. Books can be read in both English and Italian. RSVP required.
 
Discover Italian Cinema at Home with the Italian Contemporary Film Festival
Villa Charities is proud to sponsor the Italian Contemporary Film Festival, which celebrates its 9th edition this year with ICFF at Home, presented by IC Savings! For only $30 you can purchase an ICFF Festival Pass, giving you access to 15 movies from November 29th - December 8th! Head to icff.ca to purchase your pass and read all about the incredible films and special events included in the upcoming edition!
 
[Re]Connected Seniors Tech Project Extends Through February
Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in the Villa Charities initiative called [Re]Connected Seniors! Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Emergency Community Support Fund and administered by the United Way of Greater Toronto. [Re]Connected Seniors will lend qualified senior participants a FREE iPad if you tell us how you want to use it and what skills you need to develop to be successful. Created by Villa Charities, [Re]Connected Seniors is a project that strives to include seniors and older adults who feel isolated in their community due to COVID-19 and lack access to digital tools and skills. Complete the online application for yourself or on behalf of a senior now.
Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with the CEO
You can have a virtual meeting with Anthony DiCaita, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc., for a one-on-one conversation to answer any questions or to share your thoughts on our programs and services. These informal chats with Anthony will be held using GoToMeeting on the 2nd Friday of every month, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Appointments are 20 minutes each and must be scheduled in advance. The final date for Friday Chats in 2020 is Friday, December 11. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email csimpson@villacharities.com.
On-Site Operations for Villa Charities and Columbus Centre Suspended
Please be advised that following the direction from the Ontario government and public health authorities, on-site operations at Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre are currently suspended. Online programs and services will continue to be offered. For full details, visit our COVID-19 Updates page.
Stay Connected, Stay Informed, Stay Involved. Follow Villa Charities on Social Media
Be first to hear about all the great things happening at Villa Charities. From our culture-based programs to updates on our events and services, to our conversations with our community. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube today!
Columbus Centre 40th Anniversary Featured on Mediaset Italia
TLN Media Group supported the Columbus Centre’s 40th Anniversary with a segment on Mediaset Italia’s program “Nota Bene con Antonio”. The piece highlights the commemorative art exhibitions and history of the Columbus Centre, and its significance to the Italian-Canadian community and beyond.

Bring the Gym Home with Live Virtual Group Fitness Classes
Keep fit without having to leave the comfort of your home. Our Live Virtual Group Fitness classes will help you take control of your health and fitness with the bonus of no commuting to and from the gym. Classes are taught by our certified instructors and feature Gentle Fitness, High-Intensity Interval Training and more. Access to unlimited virtual classes is available to members and non-members with a monthly membership fee of only $24.99 + HST. For more information, visit our website and register today.
 
Achieve Your Musical Ambitions with Our Online Music Classes
The Columbus Centre School of Music is committed to the cultivation of musical talent within the Italian Canadian community and the community at large. Our music school allows students of all ages to explore their musical passion. Our music instructors are teaching private lessons virtually via apps such as ZOOM, Facetime or Skype. Visit our website to learn more about our private lessons and register now!
 
Villa Colombo is Looking for Board Members!
Are you interested in getting involved and making a difference in the support and care we provide for our Seniors? At Villa Colombo Toronto our vision is to be “Our community’s trusted provider of exceptional care”. The challenges facing Healthcare require leaders with a broad set of skills to help guide the organization through a period of profound system change while preserving and enhancing the quality of life we provide for our residents. Deadline to apply is December 31.

The Academy of Realist Art Remains Open
The Academy of Realist Art remains open during this time. Although the ARA is a tenant of the Columbus Centre, our operations are independent of Villa Charities. Please consult our website directly for COVID-19 updates at academyofrealistart.com.