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Villa Leonardo Gambin
Decades in the making – Decades more of caring
The establishment of
Villa Leonardo Gambin – FLTC Charity would not have been possible
without the presence of the Famee Furlane Toronto. The founding of the
Famee Furlane Toronto in 1932 is a story, as Laurence B. Mussio states
in his book, Three Generations Strong, A History of the Famče Furlane
Club of Toronto, of a people coming together to share in a common
purpose, to preserve a distinct social, linguistic and cultural life,
and to translate, adapt, expand and reinvent the Italian and Furlan
experience. The organization filled a void that was lacking in
Depression era Canada by assisting members in circumstances of
illness, unemployment and general misfortune.
Over the course of
time, the purpose of the organization was expanded to include a
conscious effort to contribute to the social, cultural and economic
life of Canada and in particular Toronto. In its modern incarnation,
the Famee Furlane Toronto leadership and membership have taken a
proactive role in the unique needs of seniors and dedicated themselves
to their interests and well-being.
Friuli Long Term Care
(the precursor of Villa Leonardo Gambin – FLTC Charity) was
established by the Famee Furlane Toronto in November 2000 in response
to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care announcement of
the 2001 Bed Allocations process, requesting applicants to submit
proposals for the issuance of long term care bed allotments.
In May 2001 Friuli
Long Term Care entered into a formal agreement with the Ministry to
develop a one hundred and sixty-eight bed long term care residence on
the Famee Furlane Toronto campus (7065 Islington Avenue in Vaughan,
Ontario). In August of the same year, Friuli Long Term Care structured
itself as a registered charity.
Between 2001 and 2003,
the Charity’s Board of Directors undertook three broad initiatives:
architectural / construction planning; project financing; and capital
campaign fundraising. The Honourable Frank Iacobucci, then a Justice
of the Supreme Court of Canada, was named the Honorary Chair of the
Charity. The $3 million Building a Mosaic of Care Capital Fundraising
Campaign was publicly launched at the Charity’s inaugural gala held in
October 2002.
Construction of the
long-term care residence began in early 2003 and was officially
celebrated at a groundbreaking ceremony in May. Exterior construction
(i.e., roof topping) was completed by October 2003. Construction at
this point was directed towards interior rough-in and culminated in
the FF&E (furniture, fixture and equipment) installation.
Simultaneously, the pre-occupancy training process (i.e., hiring and
training of staff) commenced to ensure that the care delivery function
was fully operational by opening day.
In April 2004 the Charity announced that Luigi and Sergina Gambin
would become its capital campaign major benefactors. Henceforth the
seven floor, one hundred and sixty-eight bed long term care residence
would be referred to as Villa Leonardo Gambin, in honour of Mr.
Gambin’s late father.
On Friday, October 22,
2004, Angela Orlando became Villa Leonardo Gambin’s first resident.
The official opening of the residence, attended by over 500 guests
including many dignitaries, was held on Saturday, October 30, 2004.
Centrally located in
Woodbridge, Villa Leonardo Gambin was created to provide an atmosphere
of warmth and comfort for residents as well as visitors. Six unique
residential home areas provide an attractive, casual, home-like
setting and are designed to meet the diverse needs and preferences of
residents. Each neighbourhood has been designed to celebrate life with
its own lounge / living area and dining area with family-friendly
mini-kitchen serving meals that are Italian inspired. Compassionate
staff and respect for the individual preferences of residents and
families further make Villa Leonardo Gambin a community of caring.
Professional nursing staff available twenty-four hours a day enables
the residence to provide comprehensive long-term care services,
dementia care and palliative services.
There
is no denying the importance of the Famee Furlane Toronto as well as
the dedicated work of the Villa Leonardo Gambin – FLTC Charity’s Board
of Directors in making a dream of providing healthcare services to
seniors and adults with special needs a reality. But the $21 million
long term care residence would not have been possible without the
support of individual and corporate donors (the province did not fund
the construction of the long term care residence; rather it was built
via the generosity of donors and long term financing). The partnership
that is developed between the donor community and the Charity is
important since it helps to ensure that the highest quality care is
provided to the residents of Villa Leonardo Gambin.
Villa Leonardo Gambin – FLTC Charity
Board of Directors:
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Matthew Melchior
(Chair)
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Jerry Buligan (Vice
Chair)
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Clara Astolfo
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Gianni Ceschia
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Ralph Chiodo
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Luigi Gambin
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Armand Scaini
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Rose Simone
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Michael Volpatti
Executive
Director
Residence
Administrator
Contact
Information
Charity Office:
7065
Islington Avenue,
Woodbridge, ON L4L 1V9
T.
905-856-7619
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F. 905-851-6863
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E.
friuliltc@on.aibn.com
Residence Office:
40
Friuli Court,
Woodbridge, ON L4L 9T3
T.
905-856-3939
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F. 905-856-1882
E.
annette.zuccaro-vanin@speciality-care.com
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