Category: Press Releases

Beloved Toronto Italian cultural organization celebrates 50 years Villa Charities Inc. honours half a century of supporting the Italian community and advancing the appreciation and promotion of Italian culture. Villa Colombo Toronto Rooftop Ceremony (1975) TORONTO – April 12, 2021 – This week, the Italian-Canadian community across the GTA celebrates the 50th year of their beloved cultural hub – Villa Charities Inc. (VCI). Since 1971, VCI has been instrumental in connecting lives through intergenerational experiences and services that honour and celebrate all things Italian. The organization began as the Italian Canadian Benevolent Corporation (ICBC) with a mission to raise funds…

  TORONTO, January 7, 2020 – Giulio Recchioni has been appointed to the position of Executive Director of Cultural Programming for Villa Charities Inc. Giulio brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Villa Charities with a history of success in the culture and arts sectors. “Giulio’s extensive experience and innovative thinking will truly complement the Villa Charities family – he has a broad vision, a profound understanding and a passion for leading and developing our cultural vision,” said Anthony DiCaita, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc. “He has spent his whole career in the cultural and arts sector…

TORONTO, October 30, 2020 – Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) today announced its partnership with the Toronto-based food services company, The Food Dudes. Effective immediately, The Food Dudes will become the exclusive provider of all retail and catering food operations on the Villa Charities campus. This partnership provides an opportunity to enhance and expand food services through the development of exciting and creative new food offerings with an Italian focus. For almost 50 years, Villa Charities has been a destination for the Italian Canadian community in the GTA. Working with The Food Dudes allows Villa Charities to continue strengthening its partnerships…

VAUGHAN (October 22, 2020) – Accomplished lawyer and inspirational leader Quinto Annibale has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors of Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre (Villa Colombo Vaughan), at their 2019 Annual General Meeting. Opened in 2004, Villa Colombo Vaughan, part of the Villa Charities Inc. group of organizations, prides itself on offering culturally sensitive long-term care and services to maximize meaningful living, dignity and independence for the 160 residents who call the accredited facility home. “Villa Colombo Vaughan is a remarkable organization that I have been honoured to be a part of over…

The milestone anniversary will be commemorated with two special exhibitions in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. TORONTO, September 29, 2020 – In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Columbus Centre, Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) presents two special art exhibitions in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. These exhibitions will highlight the history of the Columbus Centre as well as showcase artists who represent the present day and future of the visual arts community. Both exhibitions will be on display from October 1 to November 21, 2020. “40 Under Forty” is an exhibition of 40 artists under the age…

Villa Charities introduces scholarship program to honour Italian culture and heritage TORONTO – September 22, 2020 – Villa Charities is excited to announce the winners of its inaugural national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students. The Villa Charities Scholarship Program was launched in April and is available to students of all backgrounds and faiths, who will help further Villa Charities’ mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. “Each of the inaugural award recipients submitted impactful and heartwarming essays that clearly articulated the importance of their Italian culture and heritage and how it…

Daniele Bartolini, VCI’s long-time Artist in Residence to premiere new interactive performance “The Right Way” TORONTO – August 18, 2020 – Villa Charities is proud to announce its Artist in Residence and Artistic Director of DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) Daniele Bartolini has been invited to the upcoming Venice Biennale 48th International Theatre Festival. La Biennale di Venezia was founded in 1895 and is now one of the most prestigious and renowned cultural organizations in the world. La Biennale, which stands at the forefront of research and promotion of new contemporary art trends, organizes exhibitions and research in all its departments: Arts…

Villa Charities introduces scholarship program to honour Italian culture and heritage TORONTO – April 28, 2020 – Villa Charities is excited to announce it is launching a new national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students. The Villa Charities Scholarship Program will be available to students of all backgrounds and faiths, who believe in and will help further Villa Charities’ mission to enrich lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. The new Villa Charities Scholarship Program will award a total of 16 scholarships valued at $60,000.  There are four scholarship programs, with two programs offered…

TORONTO – April 27, 2020 – For almost 50 years, Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) has been a destination and cultural leader for the Italian-Canadian community in the GTA, with support for senior care the pillar on which it was founded. During the current COVID-19 public health crisis, its top priorities are to keep employees safe, ensure service to patrons, residents and partners, and to do its part in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Although on-site operations at Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre are currently suspended, Villa Charities wants to ensure it is keeping everyone in the VCI…

March 10, 2020 – Villa Charities Inc. is proud to announce its partnership with Eataly, the largest Italian retail and dining experience in the world, as one of its official charities of choice. This partnership provides the two prominent Italian organizations with an opportunity to collaborate on initiatives bringing unique cultural programming and events curated by Villa Charities to Eataly’s customer base and the GTA at large. Eataly will also support fundraising initiatives on-site and off-site to help raise money for Villa Charities. For almost 50 years, Villa Charities has been a destination and cultural leader for the ItalianCanadian community…