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Thanks for Attending our 2023
Italian Heritage Month Events!
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Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Italian Heritage Month programming in June! Click on the image below to watch some of the wonderful moments from our events throughout the month. | |
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While the live events are over, the two-part video series “My Secret Venice – Wish You Were Here” by Dr. Sebastiano Bazzichetto exploring nature and the arts in Venice is still available to view online.
Watch Part I
Watch Part II
Don’t forget to check out what’s happening on the Villa Charities campus all summer long on our Events Calendar.
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Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute | |
#TributeThursday – Donor Spotlight | |
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It’s #TributeThursday, where we feature the inspirational immigrant histories from the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute Project. This week, we're sharing the story of Adolfo Sabatini and Luigina Montauti, who immigrated from Pietracamela, Terama, Abruzzo in 1932 and 1950, respectively.
Read their story below:
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“Adolfo Sabatini was born March 11, 1895, in the town of Pietracamela, Teramo in Abruzzo. Adolfo first came to Canada as a teenager and worked for CN Railway. Over the years he made several trips back and forth, and on his return to Italy in 1928, he married Luigina Montauti, born September 24, 1904. After their first child Mario was born, Adolfo returned to Canada. In 1932 he became a Canadian citizen, working construction as a skilled concrete finisher. He continued to travel to support his family that had grown to include four more children, Pietrina, Giovanna, Romana and Gemma.
In 1945, Adolfo settled in Toronto and bought a home on Clinton Street, preparing for Luigina and the children to join him. In 1948, their son was the first to arrive and in March of 1950, Luigina, their four daughers and her mother Appolonia, arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax. Luigina, expecting to meet her brother Carlo, was surprised to spot her handsome husband in the crowd! The girls began to call out “Papa, Papa”, until a fellow passenger asked for their father’s name, as everyone was calling Papa. He yelled out “Adolfo” catching Adolfo’s attention, which immediately led him to his family! Once reunited, they travelled to Toronto by train to begin their new life together. Adolfo and Luigina raised a strong, loving family that worked hard to support each other. It has grown to include 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and hopefully more to come!”
As we celebrate their remarkable journey on this #TributeThursday, we hope you will decide to honour your own family’s immigrant experience through the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute. With your donation you’ll receive a customized name plaque and the chance to share your story with the world.
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Our Italian Movie Series Begins Tonight! | |
Join Villa Charities, TLN Television and Caffe Cinquecento for FREE outdoor summer movie nights every Thursday from July 6 to August 31 in the Columbus Centre courtyard and Caffe Cinquecento’s patio. Enjoy hit movies from Italy with a spectacular lineup of English-subtitled films from some of the most acclaimed names in Italian cinema. The series kicks off tonight at 7:00pm with “Caro Fidel / Dear Fidel,” about a man who establishes a socialism regime in his family and maintains contact with Fidel Castro until his wife’s death, which exposes the facade of their decades-long loving lies.
Learn More
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FREE Salsa Lessons for Seniors | |
Join us for ‘Salsa for Seniors’ at the Columbus Centre! Dance your way through FREE Salsa lessons presented by TD Salsa in Toronto Festival, with the best professionals in Toronto and around the GTA. Join us on Wednesdays until July 26 at 5:45pm then stay afterwards for Ballo Liscio and show off your new dancing skills! Lessons are for seniors of all ages, no experience needed. In partnership with TLN.
Learn More
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Bring Your Dancing Shoes to Ballo Liscio | |
Ballo Liscio nights are back, now on the Columbus Centre Courtyard all summer long! Join us every Wednesday, now until August 30 at 6:30pm to enjoy 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
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Villa Charities Supports Inaugural IdentITÀ Project by ICCO Canada | Villa Charities is very proud to support the IdentITÀ series of pocketbooks, the wonderful new initiative by ICCO Canada that brings the stories and experiences of visionary Italians in Canada to life. And we are truly privileged to support the inaugural book in their series, which profiles the Honourable Consiglio Di Nino, one of Villa Charities’ founders. Copies of the book are available for sale at Villa Charities Reception in the Columbus Centre. For more information about the pocketbook series contact ICCO Canada at durzo@italchambers.ca. | | |
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Save the Date – Ferragosto Celebration on August 20 | We invite everyone in the community to join us for our Ferragosto celebration on Sunday, August 20 from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Columbus Centre, as we commemorate this annual Italian holiday. Drop by this free event, with live musical performances, children’s entertaiment, food, and many more activities that the whole family will enjoy. So, mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more details. Presented by the Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartment Corporation (ICBSAC) in partnership with Villa Charities and funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. | | |
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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 July 14. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.
Book Your Meeting
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It’s Not Too Late to Join our Summer Camp | |
Still looking for a summer activity for your kids? Look no further – Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre is underway, but spaces are still available! We have general and specialty camps, with half day, full day and extended care options. Our experienced and specialized staff will provide an engaging camp experience that sparks children’s curiosity to learn and challenges them to reach their full potential while having fun and creating lifelong memories.
Learn More
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Time to Register for our Premium Group Fitness Programs | |
Registration for our Summer 2023 Premium Group Fitness is now open, for Members and Non-Members. See our selection of group fitness programs for all interests and abilities, such as Kickboxing, Pilates and Yoga. Register via email at fitness@villacharities.com, in-person at our Membership Office during office hours or call 416-789-7011 ext. 231.
Learn More
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Experience the Benefits of Hatha Yoga Classes | |
Yoga is the reconditioning of the system, both body and mind, to affect the highest possible standard of physical stamina, mental health, and organic vigour. Hatha Yoga is interpreted as a method that will achieve maximum results with a minimum expenditure of energy. Register now for classes beginning July 10.
Learn More
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Try Your Hand at Pickleball This Summer | |
This 10-week beginner program will introduce players to the rules of pickleball including scoring, strokes and proper grip, providing knowledge and skills to start playing one of the fastest growing sports in North America. One-hour clinics run every Wednesday to September 6, open to Members and Non-Members.
Learn More
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Registration for our Aquafitness Summer Classes | |
Registration is now open for Gentle Water and Deep Water Aquafitness, with summer classes beginning on Monday, June 26. Members and Non-Members can register via email, or in-person at our Membership Office. Aquafit provides a great stretching, strengthening, and low-impact aerobic workout – perfect for toning muscles, improving flexibility, and improving heart health.
Learn More
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Train this Summer with Open Dance Classes | |
Open dance classes are offered every Tuesday and Thursday in July at DanzArts Toronto. Classes are open to all levels and multiple styles will be offered throughout the month. These classes will focus on combinations of choreography for a feel-good evening of dance from our expert teachers!
Learn More
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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.
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901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3 I About Us
Villa Charities Foundation Charitable Registration Number: 89337 0767 RR001
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