On Thursday, May 30, Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc., received the 2024 Community Building Award, presented by the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario Canada (ICCO Canada). This prestigious award honours individuals who have made a significant contribution to the fabric of Canadian life through their social engagement, volunteerism and/or philanthropy. The annual Business Excellence Awards recognizes outstanding leaders across various fields in the Italian Canadian business community.

Congratulations to Marco for this well-deserved honour in recognition of his contributions to the Italian Canadian community through his leadership, dedication, and exemplary service. We also extend our congratulations to all the 2024 Business Excellence Awards Winners!

At the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, May 23, 2024, Villa Charities voted in the Directors to serve on the Villa Charities Inc. and Affiliate Boards for the 2024/2025 term. We would like to acknowledge their service and dedication to the organization and thank them for all that they do for the communities we serve. We also shared highlights from the past year.

View our 2023 VCI Consolidated Annual Report

Watch our 2023 Highlights Video

Villa Charities invites you to a celebration of “Here & Now - Volume 2” with the editor and contributors, tonight at 7:00pm. “Here & Now - Volume 2: An Anthology of Queer Italian-Canadian Writing” is the most comprehensive volume yet of queer Italian-Canadian writing and a milestone in Italian-Canadian studies and Canadian literature. The book includes short stories, poems, memoirs, excerpts of novels and interviews in English from 50 established and emerging writers.

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Artistic Director Daniele Colle leads the acclaimed Coro San Marco in an extraordinary concert featuring a repertoire of inspirational classic and contemporary music to express the universal longing for peace and harmony in the world. During the concert, the choir will award scholarships to young musicians who will pursue their music studies in a Canadian University. Join us for a memorable night on Monday, June 10. Tickets are only $15.00!

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One of the most important opera composers of the nineteenth century, Giuseppe Verdi was Italy’s best dramatist as the successor to Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini. His powerful operas and famous arias became almost like anthems for a united nation. On Wednesday, June 12, four esteemed operatic soloists present an exciting concert of Verdi’s most famous arias and duets. Featuring: Sara Papini, soprano, Julie Nesrallah, mezzo soprano, Romulo Delgado, tenor, and Andrey Andreychik, baritone.

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All aboard “The Love Boat…It’s Shirley Happening!”, brought to you by Sal Figliomeni, a third-generation Italian actor, director and producer. Step aboard to meet cruise director Shirley Happening, your drag ‘hostess with the mostess.’ She’s set a course for adventure to ‘Shirley’ find the meaning of love. Don’t miss this fun-for-all live, singing, campy cabaret on Friday, June 14 at 8:00pm

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On Tuesday, June 18, the Columbus Concert Band under the direction of Annamaria Mazzaferro, celebrates Italian Heritage Month with a repertoire of folk and popular music from Italy, as well as music from Italian composers. Enjoy all that Bella Italia has to offer with a performance by this award-winning band, now in its 13^th season! Buy tickets at the door!

Italian-Canadians Beatrice Carpino (singer) and Adolfo De Santis (pianist) return to perform live at the Columbus Centre on Wednesday, June 19. This classically trained duo will be performing selections from opera, Broadway, Neapolitan songs, and Italian and English favourites. Enjoy Beatrice’s rich, sultry vocals, and Adolfo’s expressive, virtuosic piano skills as they take you on a musical journey through their lives, sharing with you the music that influenced and inspired them.

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Villa Charities is proud to be a sponsor of the “Italy at Home” Film Festival on TLN TV, featuring a hand-picked selection of captivating contemporary hits and never-before-seen on Canadian TV Italian film gems with English Subtitles. Join us for a month-long Italian film festival TV event starting June 1 to June 30, Mondays to Fridays at 9:30pm and weekends at 9:00pm.

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Villa Charities is proud to be a Spotlight Sponsor of Serata, bringing Italian nightlife once again to the heart of Toronto's Little Italy on June 15 at Revival Club. Part aperitivo, part Italian discoteca, Serata delivers a “dolce vita” party filled with fun activations, complimentary treats, an interactive art installation, and an all-Italian DJ set filled with classic and modern chart-topping Italian hits. For further information and tickets follow @serata.to or click on the link below.

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The Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra perform a selection of music, al fresco in the Columbus Centre Courtyard on Saturday, July 20. Under the baton of Maestro David Fallis, the performance features a music selection from their popular “Dances & Overtures” program including Italian opera overtures by Verdi, Bellini, and Rossini, and popular orchestra music by Bizet, Brahms, Elgar and more.

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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 available Friday Chat is scheduled for Friday, June 14. Contact us today to schedule your in-person or virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.

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Don't miss your chance to apply to the 2024 Villa Charities Scholarship Program! Applications are being accepted until June 30, 2024.

Four awards of $1,000 are available to Undergraduate students and four awards of $2,000 are available to Graduate level students!

The Villa Charities Scholarship Program provides financial support to students who aim to enrich lives through services that honour Italian culture and heritage. This includes experiences as part of their program of study, such as through a co-op, internship, and/or an applied research project.

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We were so glad to welcome many familiar and new faces at the 17^th Villa Charities Giro Cycling Fundraiser, presented by LiUNA OPDC! As a result of incredible support and generosity, this year’s Giro ride had over 200 participants and raised more than $130,000!

Save the Date for next year’s Giro on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors!

View Photo Gallery

Give your child a summer to remember and save 15%* with our special offer for Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre! From general camps to specialty camps in tennis, art, soccer, and more, we offer high-quality programming in an inclusive and inspiring environment. Click on the link below and learn more about our half-day and full-day camps for ages 4 – 13.

*Offer available to new camp families only.

Conditions apply.

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If your 11 to 13-year-old is enthusiastic about sports, register them now for our Ultimate Sports Senior Camp! The Ultimate Sports Camp offers recreational sports for all skill levels, giving kids the chance to try their hand at a variety of sports and activities under the supervision of expert coaches. Campers will participate in dodgeball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, flag football, floor hockey, recreational swimming, and much more. Camps run from July 2 to August 23, 2024.

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The Columbus Centre School of Music is happy to welcome returning and new students for our fall term of music classes beginning September 16, 2024. Check out our selection of instruments and music programs and save10% if you book for a full season of classes (September 2024 to June 2025). Registration begins on Monday, June 10.

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Discover Small Group Personal Training — group fitness with personalized attention at a fraction of the cost. Stay motivated and accountable with expert trainers guiding you towards your fitness goals. Join our specialized multi-week clinics for tailored training. Limited spots available—book your demo session now! Please contact fitness@villacharities.com to learn more.

DanzArts Toronto provides professional-level training to students of all ages and skill levels. Registration is now open for our 2024 Summer Series. Please visit our website to view our full Summer Series Program or contact dance@danzartstoronto.com, if you have any questions. Don't miss your chance to dance with us this Summer!

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Registration for summer term Swimming Lessons begins on Saturday, June 15 at 9:00am. We provide a range of lessons tailored to children of all ages and abilities. Whether it's their first splash or they're seeking to refine advanced aquatic skills, our expert instructors are ready to guide them. Register in-person at our Membership Office during office hours.

For more information, email fitness@villacharities.com or call

416-789-7011 ext. 215.

Book a tour today! Meet with a member of our administrative team to learn more about our Casa Montessori & Scuola Materna Preschools, our Lower Elementary Montessori and our Upper Elementary programs while visiting our newly renovated campus. We look forward to meeting you!

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"Italians on the Move" is a series of environmental portraits and research made by Italian photographer Olmo Fattorini, based on the young Italians who moved to Toronto, Canada. This project is a meaningful initiative that celebrates the journeys through their experiences and serves as a catalyst for comm unity engagement and cultural preservation. Each portrait captures the split that propels them forward in a foreign land. Join the grand opening and reception on Thursday, June 13 at 7:00pm at the Parish Hall of St. Francis of Assisi Church, in Little Italy.

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