History
A Brief History of The Vitanova Foundation
Founded in 1987 by Franca Damiani Carella, its first president, Vitanova – Latin for “New Life”– was chartered by the Province of Ontario in 1988. Vitanova was awarded charitable status by Revenue Canada (now Canada Customs & Revenue Agency, with registration number 124239054 RR0001) in 1989.
Since 1991, its core program has been funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and augmented by extensive fundraising activities.
Since 1992 its core program---day/evening/outpatient treatment and rehabilitation---had been funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, but currently by the Central LHIN. With time, Vitanova provides its services to the diverse population of the Central LHIN area.
In 1995 Vitanova relocated to its present home, a former private residence of some 1350 square meters (15, 000 sq ft) located on 3.2 hectares (8 acres) of rural land on the outskirts of Woodbridge (in Vaughan, Ontario), now converted to institutional use. At this site, Vitanova operates its day-treatment program as well as a shelter for homeless individuals whose condition relates to substance abuse (i.e., substance abuse has resulted in homelessness, or vice versa). In turn Vitanova is also supported in part by the United Way of York Region, Local 183 of the Labourers' International Union of North America, the Carpenter’s Union (United Brotherhood of Carpenter and Joiners of America) Local 27, and supplemented by the proceeds of fundraising activities and donations.
