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Villa Charities Earns 2024
Great Place To Work Certification™
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Villa Charities is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the second year in a row. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Villa Charities. This year, 87% of employees said it’s a great place to work, an increase of 14% from last year's Trust Index score.
“We are thrilled to be recertified as a Great Place To Work® as we consider employee experience a top priority every day,” said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. “We owe our continued success to our team of dedicated employees at Villa Charities. We celebrate and thank them for all they do to earn this incredible recognition.”
Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviours proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.
"Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Villa Charities stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees."
Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified™ or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List.
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Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute | |
#TributeThursday – Donor Spotlight | |
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As we reflect on family and our heritage this #TributeThursday, we shine a light on Saverio Betro and Teresa (Sisa) Betro, whose legacy of hard work, sacrifice and love lives on through their family.
“In 1962, in search of a better life, they moved to Toronto. Saverio was a master carpenter in Italy so he started a successful carpentry business that he continued until his retirement in 1995. Sisa worked sewing pearls and sequins on couture wedding gowns until the birth of her 3rd child in 1967. In 1964, Saverio and Sisa built their dream house and lived there the rest of their lives, raising 3 daughters: Marianna, Raffaela and Rita. Mom and Dad always believed in education and they were extremely proud that all 3 of us graduated from University.”
Read more of their story on the Immigrant Map.
Saverio and Teresa (Sisa) Betro’s legacy will shine on for future generations as part of the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute installation. You too can honour your own family’s immigrant experience with the purchase of a plaque and be part of this heritage installation - now under construction!
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Bring Your Dancing Shoes to Ballo Liscio! | |
Ballo Liscio nights are back, now on the Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard all summer long! Join us every Wednesday at 6:30pm through August 28 on the beautiful grounds of the Columbus Centre, with lively musical performances. Funded by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program.
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Final FREE Salsa Lessons for Seniors | |
Villa Charities is proud to support ‘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 Wednesday, July 10 from 5:15 to 6:15pm, then stay afterwards for Ballo Liscio and show off your newly acquired skills! Lessons are for seniors of all ages, no experience needed. In partnership with TLN.
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Summer Solstice Festa –
This Weekend!
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Join us on Saturday, July 6 at 11:30am for our summer community event to enjoy some delicious food, dancing and live music by Fortunato Gratta. Tickets are only $5.00 and available at the event on a first-come, first served basis.
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Kalàscima and Andrea Ramolo at the Columbus Centre | |
Enjoy an evening of music and dancing on August 13, where you’ll learn the ‘pizzica’, a popular ancestral dance from the region of Puglia, and hear about the ancient instruments of Salento. The internationally acclaimed Salentino band Kalàscima and Italian-Canadian alternative folk performer Andrea Ramolo come together to bring the music, dance, and culture of the Salento to Canada.
Buy Tickets
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Final Opera è Vita Concert: Music of the World | |
Gear up for “Music of the World”, our final concert of the Opera è Vita musical series. An exciting concert featuring some of the most famous melodies from around the world with a talented live band and Romulo Delgado, acclaimed as “one of Canada’s most unique performing artists.” (The Globe & Mail). Join us on Thursday, September 26 at 7:30pm.
Buy Tickets
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Book Your 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 available Friday Chat is scheduled for Friday, July 12. Contact us today to schedule your in-person or 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 in our general and specialty camps including arts & crafts, tennis and cooking. 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.
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Personal Training Summer Sale | |
Get ready for a sizzling summer with our Personal Training Summer Sale! Achieve your fitness and health goals with one-on-one guidance from our certified professional Personal Trainers. Sign up for any 13-week Personal Training package and enjoy up to 50% OFF your Columbus Centre Athletic Club membership! This exclusive offer is available to new Personal Training Members only and ends on August 15, 2024.
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New Tennis Clinics this Summer | |
Whether you want to learn the fundamentals of tennis or improve your game, we have a Tennis Clinic that’s right for you. Register now for one of our Adult ‘Learn To Play’ programs for ages 14+ that focus on strokes, footwork, grips and play strategy. For more information, email fitness@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 ext. 213.
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It’s Time to Register for our Premium Fitness Programs | |
Registration for our summer 2024 Premium Fitness Programs is now open for Members and Non-Members. See our wide selection of premium fitness programs for all interests and abilities, such as TRX®, Judo, Non-Contact Boxing, Pilates and Yoga. Register online, via email at fitness@villacharities.com, in-person at our Membership Office during office hours or call 416-789-7011 ext. 231.
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Register for Summer Aquafit Classes | |
Registration for our Aquafit Classes is now open for Members and Non-Members. Deep End Aquafit, Water Dance and Arthritic Aqua Training classes are available this summer, beginning the week of July 8th. Members and Non-Members can register online, via email fitness@villacharities.com, or in-person at our Membership Office. Registration for Group Swimming Lessons is ongoing.
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Registration for DanzArts Toronto Begins this Monday | |
DanzArts Toronto at the Columbus Centre provides exceptional programming in an inspiring and fun environment. Recreational and Competitive programs offer training for all levels, from the beginner dancer to pre-professional. Registration for the 2024/2025 season begins Monday, July 8. Or join us for our 2024 Summer Series and dance with us all summer long!
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Learn a New Instrument this Fall | |
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) if you book by September 30, 2024.
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Columbus Centre is Looking for Board Members! | |
Are you interested in getting involved in your local community and making an impact on a community centre that has played a vital role since 1980? For more than four decades, the Columbus Centre has served as a social, recreational, cultural and athletic complex, and a popular destination for the Italian-Canadian community. We are looking for accomplished leaders that can take their places on the Board and make an impact. Deadline for applications is July 15, 2024.
Learn More and Apply Today
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Messages From Valued Arts Partners | | |
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IdentITÀ Vol.5 Book Launch
A Conversation with Hon. Frank Iacobucci
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Join us at the Columbus Centre on Tuesday, July 9 at 10am for the book launch of the fifth "IdentITÀ" pocketbook that focuses on Hon. Frank Iacobucci, a distinguished Canadian with a multifaceted career. Born to Italian immigrants, Iacobucci excelled in academia and law. He transitioned from corporate law practice to becoming a law professor and university leader. Iacobucci's public service included roles as Deputy Minister of Justice, Chief Justice of the Federal Court, and Supreme Court Justice.
RSVP Here
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Watch in Theatres:
“My Soul Summer”
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TLN Media Group is proud to continue to bring you never-before-seen Italian cinematic films (with English subtitles) in Cineplex theatres across Canada!
This July 14 & 15 don’t miss “My Soul Summer”, starring the incredible talents of Tommaso Ragno, soulful singer-songwriter Casadilego, Luka Zunic, Agnese Claisse, Anna Ferzetti, and Timothy Martin. This enchanting coming-of-age film tells the story of a shy 17-year-old girl who embarks on a transformative summer filled with love and music as she discovers the power of soul music through an unexpected and heartwarming friendship with an old rocker.
Buy Tickets
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Book a Tour for Leonardo Da Vinci Academy | |
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!
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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