Support Our Next Generation Community Leaders and Donate Today
The Villa Charities Scholarship Program offers financial support to students who share in Villa Charities’ mission – to enrich lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.

Scholarships are awarded by Villa Charities Foundation to students who meet the following criteria:

  • Registered, full-time student at an accredited university or college.
  • Students must be Canadian citizens or have permanent-residence status.
  • Villa Charities’ mission is to enrich lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. Any person, regardless of background, that helps further this mission is encouraged to apply.

This year, eight incredible students were awarded scholarships to further their educational goals and continue making an impact in their community. The scholarships were greatly appreciated by the recipients and were meaningful to them in a very personal way.

“From taking Italian art history classes at the Columbus Centre, to traveling to Abruzzo with Centro Scuola, my parents emphasized the value of learning about our heritage. My family’s love for Italy was also paired with their love for their new home, Canada.”
- Alessandra Cicci, Villa Charities Graduate Student Scholarship Award Winner

“Being Italian has enriched my life in so many ways. I am deeply proud of my Italian heritage as it has taught me many valuable things throughout my life. As such, I work to give back to the Italian community in any way that I can."
- Luca Ramelli, Villa Charities Undergraduate Student Scholarship Award Winner

“My passion for honoring my Italian heritage, advocating for immigrants and youth, and inspiring people to explore the Italian in all of us, will continue beyond my MBA. ‘Enriching lives through experiences and services that honour everyone’s cultures’ while promoting unity and collaboration will help me build enlightened communities for generations to come.”
- Cessidia De Biasio, Villa Charities Graduate Student Scholarship Award Winner

The Villa Charities Scholarship Program is funded entirely by donations from community members like you. Please consider supporting this program and donate today. Your gift will have a profound impact on students, their education, and their future success.

In addition to donating, you can also get involved by sponsoring our Scholarship Program. Create a scholarship in your name, your business’ name, or in honour of someone special. Sponsored scholarships are designed for annual gifts of $2,500 or more. Organizations or individuals that choose to sponsor a scholarship receive the following benefits:

  • Invitation to our annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony
  • Opportunity to meet the student who receives your scholarship, and learn about their educational goals and career aspirations
  • Special thank you and recognition in the Villa Charities Annual Report and on our website
  • Tax receipt for the full amount of your donation

For more information regarding the Sponsored Scholarship Program, please contact Cristina Costa, Director of Development, Villa Charities Foundation.
Restrictions and Suspensions for On-Site Operations Continue
As per the directive from the Government of Ontario for the reintroduction of Stage 2 restrictions, we would like to remind the community that the on-site operations at Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre have been modified or suspended. Please check the Villa Charities website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for the most recent information about our programs and services. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this critical time as we work together to keep our community safe.

Learn the Basics of the Italian Language in New
In-Person “Learn Italian by Doing” Workshops
Professor, academic and well-known lecturer Dr. Franco Gallippi facilitates this engaging and lively workshop, suitable for adults with beginner to intermediate knowledge of the Italian language. Join us every Tuesday at 7:00pm in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery to improve your Italian through basic Italian conversations, while learning about Italian culture, artists, scientists and explorers who continue to influence the world. Limited capacity with safety protocols in place, and RSVP required.
Enjoy a Virtual Journey Through Italy with “Learn Italian by Doing” Workshops
Take a virtual journey through the beautiful regions and cities of Italy in “Travel Through Italy – Online series with Angelita Papa.” From North to South, get inspired by landscapes, recipes, small towns, poems, art, literature masterpieces and local tales. Whether you are sharing your Italian origins with your classmates or simply your love for this country, you will get to know lots of new Italian words, customs and friends! Our next sessions will be held on Monday, November 2 at 6:30pm (beginner level) and Tuesday, November 3 at 7:30pm (intermediate level). RSVP required.
Spaces Are Available at Columbus Early Learning Centres
Spaces are still available at all of our Columbus Early Learning Centre locations. For more than 30 years, we have been providing the highest quality of child care to those within our community between the ages of 18 months and 12 years. We are proud to offer services that are diverse, engaging and reflect the values on which we were founded. Columbus Early Learning Centres are taking every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of the children, families, and our staff. We are following the guidelines from the Ministry of Education, City of Toronto, and Toronto Public Health.
There’s Still Time to Apply for the Villa Charities [Re]Connected Seniors Tech Project
Villa Charities has launched a new 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. Upcoming dates for these chats are Friday, November 13 and Friday, December 11. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email csimpson@villacharities.com.
Connect with Villa Charities on Social Media
Keep up to date with all the latest and greatest at Villa Charities and follow us on social media for exclusive weekly content, updates on our programs and services and to engage in conversation. You can find us Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Stay engaged and follow us today!
Master the Fundamentals of Ballet with DanzArts Toronto’s Recreational Programs
Ballet is the foundation for all dance disciplines and students are taught fundamentals of movement through classical ballet. Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Vagonova are the two syllabi taught at DanzArts Toronto. Focusing on technical strength as well as proper body alignment and posture leads to improved poise, grace, discipline, self-confidence, strength and balance. Contact us today to register your child for virtual or on-site classes.
Hone Your Musical Talents at the Columbus Centre School of Music
The Columbus Centre School of Music is committed to the development and diffusion of music both within the Italian Canadian community and the community at large. Our music school gives students the opportunity to explore their musical passion. In addition to in-person classes, the Columbus Centre School of Music is also offering online music classes! Our music instructors will be 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!
Refine Your Art Skills with Impressionist Painting Workshops
Try your hand at Impressionist painting with our fall term paint night workshops. Join us for our next workshop on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30pm, where we will be crafting our own interpretations of Monet’s “Sunflowers.” Classes are available for $40 + HST per person. We have implemented the required COVID-19 safety measures and capacity restrictions in compliance with the most recent provincial guidelines. Materials included.
Bringing Italy to You with Dolce Vita Mercato
After a successful mercato this past summer, Viva la Dolce is proud to present the Dolce Vita Mercato - Fall Edition! Join us on October 29 - 31 for a unique wine tasting event with celebrity wine expert, Angela Aiello, fun shopping with Italian imported or inspired items, breathtaking virtual tours of Italy and a virtual watch party of “From the Vine” directed by award winning director, Sean Cisterna. With travel plans still on hold, this is one of the best ways to experience Italian culture and indulge in la dolce vita! Don’t miss it!