|
Join Us on Sunday, August 20
for our Ferragosto Celebration!
| 11:00am to 3:00pm, Columbus Centre Courtyard | |
Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute | |
#TributeThursday – Donor Spotlight | |
|
This #TributeThursday we’re featuring the immigration history and family memories of Mario and Maria Merante, who immigrated to Canada from Calabria in 1967.
Read their story below:
| |
|
“Our parents came over from Italy March 1967 to make a better life in Canada. Times were difficult there. We had family in Toronto and that made the decision easier. They left everything behind except for a few choice possessions. They both found employment and were able to buy a house a few years later on Boon Ave. They also welcomed a third son into the family. We brothers are forever grateful for their sacrifices, even though it was painful for them to leave their homeland. Over the years we came to understand their motivations and why it was so difficult to remain in Italy. They were proud to become Canadian citizens and adopt the culture of their new home, while still maintaining many aspects of their cultural heritage. Other relatives would soon follow, and our family was able to enjoy some of the "old world" in our new Country. They found comfort in knowing that other Italians were here and that there was a community for them. Mario missed his Italian home but was happy to have made new friends here. Maria fully embraced being Canadian/Italian and ensured our Italian traditions continued while we added Canadian traditions to our home as well. We brothers hope to honor their journey, sacrifice and perseverance to make a home for us here in Canada. They are gone but still loved and missed by us all.”
This heartwarming story was shared by Mario’s and Maria’s sons, who are honouring their parents with a customized name plaque on the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute installation. Please consider celebrating your own parents or grandparents with a name plaque today.
| | |
|
It’s Official! Villa Charities is a Great Place to Work® | |
Villa Charities was recently certified as a Great Place to Work® after a thorough, independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work Institute® Canada. This certification is based on direct feedback from employees, provided as part of an extensive and anonymous survey about their workplace experience
View our Certified Company Profile
| | |
|
Don’t Miss our Outdoor Italian Movie Nights | |
If you haven’t come to one of our outdoor movie nights yet, don’t worry, there’s a few weeks left! Join us for your weekly ticket to hit movies from Italy with a spectacular lineup of English-subtitled films from some of the most acclaimed names in Italian cinema.
Tonight at 7:00pm we’re screening
“Cambio tutto” / “Say It Loud”. Giulia, facing the daily chaos of an incompetent boss and problematic personal life, reaches her breaking point and seeks guidance from an eccentric life coach. Presented in partnership with TLN Television and Caffe Cinquecento Italian Bar & Eatery.
Click on the image to watch the “TLN Connects” segment about this movie series!
Learn More
| | |
|
Enjoy the Final Weeks of our Outdoor Social Dancing Nights | |
Enjoy the final weeks of the summer season and the chance to dance in the Columbus Centre Courtyard with our Ballo Liscio social dancing series. Join us every Wednesday until August 30 for a night of dancing along with live musical performances.
Presented by the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartment Corporation (ICBSAC) in partnership with Villa Charities and funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizon for Seniors Program.
Learn More
| | |
|
“Bring Me the Horizon” Coming to the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery | |
You are cordially invited to the opening night reception for the exhibition, “Bring Me the Horizon” on Thursday, September 7 at 7:00pm, by Italian-Canadian contemporary figurative artist Fabrizio Sclocco. This retrospective exhibition and visual journey tackles themes of self-embrace and self-healing, encouraging others to reconnect with their inner child and to embark on their own transformative journeys towards their horizons. The exhibition continues until October 5, 2023.
Learn More
| | |
|
Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with Marco | |
Have a question about our programs and services? Take the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc. Appointments are 20 minutes each between 11:00am and 12:00pm and must be scheduled in advance. The next Virtual Friday Chat is scheduled for September 8. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.
Book Your Meeting
| | |
|
Early Bird Registration for Columbus Centre School of Music | |
The Columbus Centre School of Music is happy to welcome returning and new students for our fall term of music classes beginning September 11. Check out our selection of instruments and music programs and save if you book for a full season of classes (September 2023 to June 2024) during our Early Bird Registration, August 21 – 27, 2023.
Learn More
| | |
|
Registration for Fall Aquafit Classes Begins August 28 | |
Our Gentle and Deep End Aquafit programs provide a great stretching, strengthening, and low impact aerobic workout, in warm, soothing water, perfect for toning muscles and improving flexibility. Gentle Aquafit registration begins Monday August 28, and Deep End Aquafit registration begins Tuesday August 29, for classes beginning the week of September 18.
Register via email at fitness@villacharities.com, in-person at our Membership Office during office hours or call 416-789-7011 ext. 215.
See Aquatics Programs
| | |
|
Pickeball Clinics and Private Lessons Available this Fall | |
Try your hand at Pickleball, one of the fastest growing sports in North America. Whether you are a first-time player or a seasoned veteran, everyone is welcome! Register for a 10-week clinic or get personalized instruction with one-on-one lessons.
Learn More
| | |
|
Learn to Swim at Columbus Centre Athletic Club | |
With our large indoor swimming pool, we can accommodate swimmers from preschool-aged children just learning how to swim, to seniors who enjoy aquafitness. Registration opens on Saturday, September 16 at 9:00am (in person) for Members and Non-Members. Swimming lessons begin on September 18. For more information, call 416-789-7011 ext. 215 or visit our website.
Learn More
| | |
|
Register for Fall Athletics Premium Group Fitness! | |
The Columbus Centre Athletic Club offers a wide variety of specialty classes to choose from to reach your fitness goals. With a diverse class schedule and beginner, intermediate and advanced levels available, you’ll be sure to find a class that’s just right for you. Register via email at fitness@villacharities.com, in-person at our Membership Office during office hours or call 416-789-7011 ext. 231. Registration begins on Tuesday, September 5 for both Members and Non-Members.
See Premium Group Fitness
| | |
|
Don't Miss Your Chance to Dance with Us This Season! | |
DanzArts Toronto provides professional level training to students of all ages and skill levels. Registration is now open for our 2023/2024 dance season. Please visit danzartstoronto.com to view our full Recreational schedule or contact dance@danzartstoronto.com if you have any questions or are interested in joining one of our competitive companies. Don't miss your chance to dance with us this season!
Learn More
| | |
|
Villa Colombo Vaughan Residents Enjoy Summer Events | |
Our Villa Colombo Vaughan long-term care home residents have been enjoying the summer with lots of great events and activities. The Program Team organized celebrations for National Wine & Cheese Day and National Watermelon Day. In addition, the residents have been enjoying live entertainment by crowd favourite, Fortunato & Giordano, and participating in painting classes by Pinot’s Palette. Upcoming August events will include a Caribana celebration, a briscola tournament in honour of a past resident, Antonio DeBin, and fundraising for Strides for Seniors. Thanks to our staff, residents and families!
| |
Message from our Valued Arts Partner | | |
|
Serie A Italian League Soccer returns this Sunday on TLN TV! | |
Tune in to TLN this Sunday, August 20,
for a thrilling lineup of matches that you won't want to miss! Watch Roma host Salernitana at the iconic Stadio Olimpico (12:25P), and Juventus take on Udinese
at the Dacia Arena (2:30P).
To kick off the new season, TLN will be giving away a one-year subscription to Soccer 360 Magazine! Subscribe to and check out the GOAL® Soccer Newsletter for details on how to win.
Subscribe Now
| |
|
Our Mission:
Enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.
Our Vision:
Inspiring people to explore the Italian in all of us.
| |
901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3 I About Us
Villa Charities Foundation Charitable Registration Number: 89337 0767 RR001
Follow us on Social Media for News and Updates
| | | | |
