On behalf of Villa Charities Inc . ( VCI ), I am pleased to present our Annual Report for 2018 . The pages following contain highlights of our many major initiatives undertaken during the year , including key activities and programming updates at each VCI department and Affiliate organization , as well as the financials of each organization . You will also find several feature stories , which go far beyond the facts and numbers to demonstrate the unique qualities that make Villa Charities such a special part of the Italian-Canadian and local communities .

Since being elected as Chair of Villa Charities ’ Board of Governors in June 2018 , I have met many of the passionate people in our community who live in , work at , and use our campus facilities ,

with whom I have discussed our shared passion for this organization . For those who I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting , let me briefly introduce myself .

Having grown up in the Dufferin- Lawrence area , I have been part of the Villa Charities community since my youth . Starting in 2002 , I have volunteered as a Board member with Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc . ( Villa Colombo Toronto or VCT ), becoming Chair of the VCT Board in 2016 . Now , as Chair of the VCI Board , I am delighted to help our organization navigate new opportunities to meet the needs of our community now and in the future .

After 16 years at VCT , it is no surprise that I am deeply committed to ensuring we provide excellent care to our seniors through long-term care and community support services . As part of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care ’ s mandate to upgrade long-term care beds provincewide , government-set standards require larger rooms with improved amenities and a more home-like environment , and enhanced accommodations for residents with dementia and other complex health care needs .

To meet those standards , in 2018 we continued work on the major project to revitalize VCT ’ s Fusco wing , which accommodates 266 beds ( of VCT ’ s total 391 beds ) that fall within this Ministry mandate . Once complete , these upgrades will result in enhanced facilities and services for our residents and will improve their quality of life .

Through the Villa Charities Visioning Project , we completed the first step in developing a campus-wide strategy for the Dufferin-Lawrence campus . The findings of the Visioning Project will be incorporated by VCI ’ s Strategic Planning Committee into an updated Strategic Plan for Villa Charities .

We continue to strengthen our partnerships with other Toronto-area Italian and cultural organizations , who have exhibited strong interest in becoming more active on our campus .

And , outlined in this report , are many other steps we have taken to better serve our community in the decades to come . As we move forward in 2019 , I look forward to sharing these exciting new developments with you .

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Aldo Cundari , my predecessor as Chair , for his long and extraordinary service to our organization . And I also express my thanks to my colleagues on the VCI Board and on all of the Affiliate Boards , as well as to Villa Charities President and CEO Anthony DiCaita , his leadership team and VCI staff for their hard work and dedication . And finally , to all the members of our wider community , thank you for your passionate and ongoing support of Villa Charities .

Sincerely , Villa Charities Inc .

Santo Veltri CHAIR

2018 was a year of significant change for Villa Charities as we refocused our efforts to meet the needs and preferences of the communities we serve .

This process began early in the year , when the plans to redevelop the Columbus Centre into a joint-use facility with the Toronto Catholic District School Board ended and our partnership was dissolved . Our attention turned immediately to keeping the Columbus Centre fully operational and ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future .

A key initiative on this path was the Villa Charities Visioning Project , an extensive community-wide consultation toward the development of a Dufferin / Lawrence campus-wide strategy . The ultimate objective was to gather broad stakeholder input so we can best meet the needs of Italian-Canadians and an

increasingly diverse local community . The project sought to address key issues and needs , leverage VCI ’ s current resources and identify the resources needed to provide enhanced services and facilities in the future . The comprehensive final report from the Visioning Project is now available on the Villa Charities website .

Another key initiative focused on repairing and upgrading our facilities . We engaged an external consultant to assess all buildings on our campus and identify and prioritize the work required . Their report indicated that over the next decade , an investment of approximately $ 20 million will be needed . The repairs began almost immediately , and I am glad to report that significant progress was made during the year , with just over $ 2 million approved in 2018 for repairing and replacing aging facilities and infrastructure . This included improvements to our parking facilities , replacement of aging HVAC equipment , information technology upgrades , and much more .

Separately , VCI invested more than $ 180,000 in new cardio equipment and facility improvements to the Athletic Club .

Another area of investment was in Cultural Programming as VCI reestablished the Columbus Centre as a destination to explore Italian heritage , music , culture and lifestyle . Programming included the World Premiere theatrical production of “ If on a Christmas Night ...,” our inaugural Porte Aperte community open house , Italian Heritage Month events , the Diaspora Series , Cultural Tuesdays and various special events .

Cultural programming was a major focus of VCI ’ s communications outreach during the year , drawing significant positive attention to our organization . This included a social media strategy that generated a stronger presence for VCI on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram , and media campaigns that generated almost 31 million impressions , with coverage in the Ottawa Citizen and Toronto Life , and on CBC , TLN , OMNI Television and other outlets .

At Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc . ( Villa Colombo Toronto or VCT ), we continued planning for mandatory upgrades to the facility . VCT is one of 300 long-term care facilities provincewide requiring renovations to meet new provincial standards by 2025 .

These and numerous other projects , programs and events are made possible through the enormous commitment and work of our valued staff , management and Boards , and through the active support of our patrons and residents . On behalf of Villa Charities , I offer all of them a huge thanks .

I look forward to further enhancing our services and facilities with all members of the VCI community , as we continue to build a strong and sustainable future for our organization .

Sincerely , Villa Charities Inc .

Anthony DiCaita PRESIDENT AND CEO