We Need Your Unprecedented Support Today!
Over the past 18 months, how many times have you heard the word ‘Unprecedented’? New regulations in long-term care, no family visitors; unprecedented. Restrictions on public gatherings and family celebrations; unprecedented. Border closures; unprecedented. Abrupt closure of performance centres and concerts; unprecedented. Physical distancing rules and mandatory masks; unprecedented. The closure of childcare centres, schools, and businesses, unprecedented.
 
As vaccines roll out across the country and a renewed sense of hope emerges, Villa Charities is committing to you, today, to reclaim the word “unprecedented”.
 
For 50 years, Villa Charities has provided Italian cultural and educational programs while supporting culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors.
 
The pandemic may have changed the way we deliver programs and services, however, thanks to our dedicated group of donors, volunteers and staff, we have and will continue to support our community in unprecedented ways.
 
Here are a few examples of the unprecedented programs and services Villa Charities launched during the pandemic:
 
SENIOR SUPPORT - providing packaged meals and comfort/safety packages to residents at Casa Del Zotto, Caboto Terrace and Casa Abruzzo. Support programs also included outdoor prayer services, concerts and fitness classes.
 
EMERGENCY LICENSED CHILDCARE CENTRE - providing exceptional care throughout the pandemic for children of essential and critical services workers.
 
VILLA CHARITIES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - an investment in our next generation of community leaders. Funding was made available to graduate and undergraduate students to help further their education and career goals.
 
[RE]CONNECTED SENIORS - free online workshops (including internet and iPads) were available to seniors at Casa Del Zotto, Caboto Terrace, and Casa Abruzzo. We helped our residents stay connected to their friends and family while in isolation.
 
CULTURAL PROGRAMS - more than 100 Italian cultural programs spanning art, film, music, health, and more, were delivered safely online in an engaging and exciting way.
 
Our programs and services are made possible by the generosity of donors. This is why we are reaching out today, asking you to donate to Villa Charities, in support of our ongoing efforts to meet the needs of our evolving community.
 
Your donation will have a direct impact on our ability to deliver exciting, new and unprecedented programs and services in the future.
 
For the past five decades, Villa Charities has been a pillar of the Italian Canadian community across the GTA and since the beginning, you, our community have been – and continue to be – the heart and soul of our organization.
 
Please give generously today. YOU will directly support senior care, scholarships and youth services, cultural programs, and capital needs at Villa Charities.
 
Our vibrant community continues to feel supported by donors each and every day. We are happy to share three incredible stories of community members who will benefit from your donation. To view these stories, click the ‘Read More’ link below.
 
Villa Charities and Columbus Centre in
Step 3 Reopening Phase
On-site operations for Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre are following the Step 3 Reopening plan guidelines, which allows for indoor and outdoor activities with capacity limits and other restrictions. We are excited to welcome back more patrons and members to the campus! Check the COVID-19 Updates page for full details.
 
Join Us for Garden Music Nights!
Join us all summer long for outdoor concerts on the Villa Charities campus! Enjoy live music performances by popular Italian-Canadian musicians Claudio Santaluce and Bruno Nesci. To ensure the safety of all attendees there will be a maximum capacity of 100 people for each event, on a first-come, first-served basis. The next concert is Wednesday, July 28 at 6:30pm.
Don't Miss a Screening of "The Chain" at the Toronto Open Air – Trillium Park
ICFF and Villa Charities are proud to present the screening of “The Chain” directed by Vittorio Rossi on Wednesday, July 28th at 8:30pm at the Toronto Open Air – Trillium Park (Ontario Place). “The Chain” is a filmed play where cinema meets theatre, and the theatre embraces the language of cinema. The original Quebec production follows the story of Tullio Testa, a working-class landscape contractor, who, after turning the business over to his younger son Massimo, is faced with the consequences of his actions that change the family dynamics forever. The event will be accompanied by an exclusive aperitif under the stars.
Watch it Again:
An Evening of Dance
Last month we celebrated Italian Heritage Month - we hope you enjoyed the cherished annual occasion and took part in all our digital events and programming. You can watch any of our videos from this year’s celebration again on our YouTube page. Enjoy this special performance, featuring dancers from DanzArts Toronto, the Columbus Centre’s very own prestigious dance school, and artists in residence ACE Dance Theatre.

Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with the CEO
You can have a virtual meeting with Marco DeVuono, Acting 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 Marco 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 next Friday Chats is scheduled for Friday, August 13. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email csimpson@villacharities.com.
Celebrate our 50th Anniversary with
“110 e Lode”
Villa Charities and ICCO Canada are proud to present a special video celebrating our respective 50th and 60th anniversaries this year. “110 e Lode” commemorates the past, present and future of the two Italo-Canadian hallmarks of excellence in an original video, written and directed by Daniele Bartolini, Artistic Director of the renowned DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) theatre company.
 
Support Villa Charities at The Ital-Canadian Golf Open
Join us for the inaugural Ital-Canadian Golf Open on Monday, August 30, 2021. The CIBPA Toronto, ICCO Canada and Villa Charities Foundation are coming together to celebrate our community and give back in a meaningful way. Proceeds from the Golf Open will support programs provided by CIBPA Toronto, ICCO Canada and Villa Charities, as well as scholarships and bursaries for students across the country.
 
Indoor Operations Resume at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club
Indoor Athletic, Aquatic and Wellness programs and facilities at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club are now open, with a maximum capacity of 50% along with other restrictions and booking requirements for the pool and outdoor group fitness including spinning classes. Appointments for the main gym are not required. The Men’s Health Club has also reopened, and the Women’s Health Club will reopen on August 3rd. Contact fitness@villacharities.com or visit our website for more information. We are thrilled to welcome our members back!
 
Book a Tennis Court at the Columbus Centre
Perfect your tennis game this summer at our outdoor tennis facilities! You can also sign up for a tennis lesson with our qualified tennis instructor. Games can be played in doubles. Book the court now and get your body moving! Contact fitness@villacharities.com to learn more.
 
Virtual Group Fitness Classes Continue at the Columbus Centre
The Columbus Centre Athletic Club continues to offer Live Virtual Group Fitness classes. Our certified instructors are offering courses six days a week! Check out Friday's class – Instructor's Choice. This allows the instructors to bring their own flavour and choice to the classes. It can be a Body Pump, Strength Circuit, Bootcamp, Yoga, BLT (Bum, Legs, and Thighs) or even a Cardio Dance class. On Friday mornings, get ready for anything, and be ready to be challenged! For more information, visit our website and register today.
 
Don’t Miss DanzArts Toronto’s Summer Series Workshops
DanzArts Toronto is offering lots of dance classes and workshops throughout the summer, with something for every age and level of experience. Work to strengthen your fundamental dance elements and fine-tune your technique with DanzArts Toronto’s new Total Technique Camps on July 29 and 30. This workshop will focus specifically on improving jumps, turns, legs, feet, flexibility and strength, for experienced dancers 12 and under. Limited spots are available. Check out all the programs available and register today!
 
Columbus Centre School of Music Continues Virtual Lessons
Have you ever wanted to learn an instrument? It is time to embrace your musical side! Learn from home with the Columbus Centre School of Music. We offer affordable and effective online lessons for all instruments to kids, teens, adults, seniors or groups. Contact cultural@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 ext. 248 to join.
 
TAC Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre
Summer is here and so is Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre! TAC Sports is hosting their Summer Camp 2021 for kids ages 4 -12, with a variety of sports and activity options to choose from. Keep your children active, focused, and having fun during this season. Camps run until September 3, 2021.