COVID-19 Vaccinations for
Villa Colombo Toronto Residents and Staff
We are pleased to report that the resident vaccination program at Villa Colombo Toronto was launched on January 6th and is well underway. As of January 14th, in conjunction with Humber River Hospital, 282 residents (or 89% of residents on our census) had received their first Moderna vaccine. The second round of vaccines for these residents will occur approximately 28 - 40 days following their first dose. All the physicians were on site to support the campaign.

The staff vaccination program began on December 23rd and to date 214 of our 427 eligible staff have already received the vaccination; 40% of those vaccinated have received both their first and second doses.

We continue to put in all necessary measures to support our home during this difficult time and our top priority continues to be the safety of everyone at Villa Colombo Toronto.
Villa Charities Celebrates 50 Years with Social Media Campaign #SpotlightSaturdays
In celebration of our 50th anniversary this year, we’re launching lots of fun and interactive social media content for the Villa Charities community. Check out #SpotlightSaturdays where we are highlighting some of the most iconic Italians from the past 50 years. We recently featured legendary Italian film director and screenwriter Federico Fellini.
 
Villa Charities Supports ICCO Canada for Upcoming Conference
Villa Charities is proud to support the IT@CA 2021 virtual conference “Made in Italy - Back to the Future” on January 28, 2021, as the Online Program Sponsor. The second edition of this event is a free online experience to provide an insightful opportunity to individuals interested in the cultural exchange between Italy and Canada and the post-COVID-19 expectations.
 
Catch Up on the Latest Art News and Events with Art & Aperitivo
Join us virtually, enjoy a drink, and master the Italian language with the “Art & Aperitivo” classes! This workshop is an opportunity to talk about art in a relaxed environment while enjoying your favourite drink together. In this free online interactive workshop, we will discuss the most significant art news and events from around the world, using Italian magazines and newspapers. We invite you to practice your Italian while expressing your views. We hope to see you for our next workshop tonight at 7:00pm!
 
Escape to Italy with our Travel Through Italy Online Series
Take a virtual journey through the beautiful regions and cities of Italy! From North to South, get inspired by landscapes, recipes, small towns, poems, art, literature masterpieces and local tales. Whether you are sharing your Italian origins with your classmates or simply your love for this country, you will get to know lots of new Italian words, customs and friends! Don’t miss this workshop every Monday at 6:30pm for the English-speaking class (Beginner) and 7:45pm for the Italian-speaking class (Intermediate).
 
Introducing our Newest Language Classes: Racconti In Italiano – Short Stories in Italian
These monthly classes will offer students of Italian at all levels the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of contemporary literature in both Italian and English translations. The selection of short stories covers a rich variety of themes and styles and includes stories by established literary figures such as Italo Calvino and Primo Levi, as well as the new generation of writers. Aspects of Sicilian and Italian life are explored by Leonardo Sciascia and Goffredo Parise. The focus of the class will be on learning new vocabulary and Italian words. An electronic copy of the story will be provided in advance upon registering. The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, January 27 at 12:00pm.
 
Find Your Next Book Recommendation with our Club de Libro Workshop
Our online book club is an opportunity to explore and discuss contemporary Italian literature while learning Italian. Join us for the winter 2021 sessions, where we will embark on literary adventures with extraordinary works by acclaimed prize-winning authors. Join us on Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00pm as we read “In altre Parole/In Other Words” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Jhumpa Lahiri.
 
[Re]Connected Seniors Tech Project Continues to Offer Virtual Workshops Through March
[Re]Connected Seniors is a digital learning project by Villa Charities, funded in part by the Government of Canada and United Way of Greater Toronto. [Re]Connected Seniors has initialized an iPad lending library within Villa Charities’ apartments for seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto, Casa Abruzzo) and has also launched a series of virtual workshops to improve the digital literacy of seniors throughout the GTA! To book a place in one of the workshops, contact Matteo Brera at reconnect@villacharities.com or by phone at 416-789-7011 ext. 333.
 
Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with the CEO
You can have a virtual meeting with Anthony DiCaita, 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 Anthony 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 are scheduled for Friday, February 12 and Friday, March 12. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email csimpson@villacharities.com.
On-Site Operations for Villa Charities and Columbus Centre Remain Suspended
Please be advised that following the most recent direction from the Ontario government and public health authorities, on-site operations at Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre remain suspended. Online programs and services continue to be offered. For full details, visit our COVID-19 Updates page.
 
Congratulations to the Winners of the Villa Charities Scholarship Awards for the George Brown College Architectural Technology Program
Villa Charities is excited to announce the four winners of its inaugural Architectural Technology Program Scholarships at George Brown College. The Villa Charities Scholarship Program was launched in April 2020 in partnership with George Brown College, and is funded by donations from community members like you. Please consider supporting this program and donate today. Your gift will have a profound impact on students, their education, and their future success.
 
Work Out from the Comfort of Your Home with Virtual Group Fitness Classes
Having a hard time finding the motivation to exercise? Our Virtual Group Fitness classes are the perfect workout from home. Our certified instructors are offering courses six days a week. From Fine Toning on Tuesdays to High-Intensity Interval Training on Thursdays, let’s achieve your fitness goals together. Monthly membership fees are only $24.99 + HST and includes access to our full fitness class video library. For more information, visit our website and register today.
 
Register Your Child for Our Kinderdance Program at DanzArts Toronto
Our Kinderdance program at DanzArts Toronto is perfect for kids ages 3 to 5 who love to move and dance. This is an excellent introduction to jazz and ballet fundamentals and will help students develop the basics of rhythm, balance and coordination in a positive and encouraging environment. Contact us today to learn more!
 
Have a Passion for Music? Find Out Where It Can Take You
There has never been a better time to pick up a new musical skill! The Columbus Centre School of Music offers a wide variety of music lessons that are open to anyone of any skill level. Our seasonal one-on-one private lessons in vocals, guitar, piano, violin, flute, clarinet, or drums are taught by our professional instructors virtually via apps such as ZOOM, Facetime or Skype. For scheduling and availability visit our website today!
 
Take Your Art to the Next Level with our Virtual Landscape Painting Classes
Don’t miss the opportunity to hone your painting prowess! With a focus on landscape studies, this 11-week class will explore principles such as tone, colour, form, texture, brush techniques, mixing, contrast and composition. Virtual classes are offered at limited capacity, which provides for enhanced one-on-one instruction. Suitable for adults of all levels and experience. To learn more, visit our website today!
The Italian Cultural Centre Celebrates Parole Libere: Festival of Italian Poetry in Canada
Parole Libere is a Festival of Italian Poetry in Canada organized by the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, BC from January 28 - May 15. It is open to all those who love the Italian language: from children to elders, from beginner students to native speakers. This event will be a meeting point for amateur and professional writers, language instructors and anyone who loves Italian poetry and culture. To learn more and to register for their series of virtual events visit the page below.