about villa charities
Villa Charities Inc . ( VCI ), established in 1971 as the Italian-Canadian Benevolent Corporation ( ICBC ), is a registered charity and nonprofit organization that cultivates , promotes and celebrates our culture as Italian-Canadians .
Villa Charities and its affiliates ( Columbus Centre / Joseph D . Carrier Art Gallery , Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc ., Villa Colombo Seniors Centre ( Vaughan ) Inc . Di Poce Centre , Villa Charities Foundation ) each have their own governance Board . Although they are separate legal entities , the synergies provided by being part of VCI allows for more efficient and effective operations .
The ICBC was originally created to provide culturally sensitive long-term residential care for elderly Italian- Canadians – an idea that took shape with the opening of Villa Colombo Toronto in January 1976 . One year later , the ICBC set out to purchase the 12-acre site including the existing buildings of the former St . Mary ’ s Training School to develop a modern social , recreational , cultural and athletic complex – the Columbus Centre we know today .
In subsequent years , in an effort to better serve the community , the ICBC developed housing for independent seniors , beginning with the opening of Caboto Terrace in 1983 and followed by Casa Del Zotto in 1991 . In 2004 , Casa Abruzzo joined the Villa Charities family of organizations and we extended our reach north of the city with the opening of another long-term care facility , the Villa Colombo Vaughan / Di Poce Centre .
Since its formation in 1990 , Villa Charities Foundation has been raising funds in support of the high-quality , culturally sensitive long-term care provided to seniors living at Villa Colombo Toronto and Villa Colombo Vaughan . This support ensures that Villa Charities can continue to provide its unique brand of highquality , culturally sensitive programs and services to our community .
In July 1995 , the ICBC was officially renamed Villa Charities Inc . While the name was changed , the purpose and spirit of our organization did not . To this day , our Mission and Vision remain true to our roots – to celebrate and promote the Italian Heritage , Culture , Language , Arts , Food and Family Values , and to be the voice of the Italian-Canadian community .
Villa Charities ’ Lawrence-Dufferin campus in Toronto remains a major hub of the GTA ’ s Italian community , with the Columbus Centre at its heart . Thousands of people of all ages visit the centre daily for dance , visual arts , music and culinary programs ; view art exhibits at the Joseph D . Carrier Art Gallery ; participate in a wide range of athletic , aquatics and wellness programs at our Athletic Club ; and enjoy fine Italian cuisine at Ristorante Boccaccio . The campus is also home to the Columbus Event Centre , which hosts and caters numerous weddings , family events , meetings and corporate gatherings of all sizes .
In addition , Villa Charities offers child care programs at three facilities , provides summer and March Break day camps and hosts special cultural events such as Italian Heritage Month celebrations .
Service to Italian-Canadian seniors remains a core part of the organization ’ s mission . In addition to our two long-term care facilities , which provide culturally sensitive , high-quality care that honours the Italian heritage , Villa Charities offers a variety of Community Day Programs for seniors including the Frail Elderly and Alzheimer ’ s Day Program , and Meals on Wheels .
To learn more about Villa Charities , visit our website at villacharities . com .
ANNUAL REPORT
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