Furniture Bank

I am delighted to emcee Furniture Bank’s 7th Annual Chair Affair. This is an exciting opportunity to help others start a new section in their lives while also sharing in the delights of top designer creations, music, food and fun.

Three years ago, my online platform, lhe Italianista altered course and morphed into RO on the GO – a unique medium recognizing and supporting charitable organizations, businesses and community events throughout Vaughan and the Greater Toronto Area. After spending an incredible amount of time out in the community I have come to realize that strength is in numbers and that people have one common goal – to work together to build a stronger and healthier community. RO on the GO has also inspired me to overcome fears and obstacles such as public speaking and sitting on business boards – situations that in the past, would have intimidated me.

My story is typical of many Canadians. Although I am originally from Italy, immigrating to this country as a child, I take great pride in being Canadian and living in a nation that embraces diversity. My intrigue with Italian-Canadian culture escalated to new heights when I met my husband Tony Monaco, radio broadcaster and personality at Z103.5FM Toronto. Although born and raised in Toronto, his values echo that of Calabrian tradition. Our backgrounds, Alpine and Mediterranean, are so different and I am amazed that our families originate from the same country.

Although the Italianista was born of my love for culture, my greatest passion is my community and the people within it. Through RO on the GO I will do what I can to assist those working tirelessly at making a difference in the community and beyond. This medium is truly what ignites my soul and gives me a sense of purpose!

* Romina Monaco is a columnist and writer for Panoram Italia Magazine, Fredi Magazine and Snapd Vaughan East/
Woodbridge/Caledon. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association (CIBPA) and is also a member of its Ladies’ Auxiliary. She is a committee member for the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce ‘Business Achievement Awards’ and holds an advisory position on the board of Waves of Changes for Autism.

VCC Women to Women

Kids Help Phone is a Canadian and world leader known for our expertise and continuous innovation as Canadas only 24/7 counselling and information service for young people.

Since 1989, our trained, professional counsellors have been listening to kids, often when no one else can or will. We are always there – supporting young people wherever and whenever they need us most.

“I don ‘t know what’s going to happen in my life, but I wanted to call and thank you for listening. You were the only ones who did,”
– 14-year-old caller

Our free and anonymous service supports young people as they build the skills and abilities they’ll need to improve their emotional health and well-being. In addition to an array of counselling options, we offer young people a wide range of online resources and we work tirelessly to share young people’s perspectives on a societal level – locally, nationally, and globally.

We could not do this important, life-changing work without the generous support of our donors and sponsors. Kids Help Phone raises the majority of our revenue from foundational, corporate, and individual donations. Thanks to our generous donors We can always be there, proudly supporting the 6.5 million young people in Canada between the ages of five and 20 in both English and French.

As a contributing writer for Fredi Magazine, Panoram Italia Magazine and Snapd Nevvspapers, Romina can be spotted regularly out in the community covering a wide range of events and stories of human interest. Her love of writing, storytelling as well as of people and their accounts of personal adversity inspired her to launch the online medium, RO On The GO, four years ago with the mission to give voice, as well as provide an additional platform for those making a difference in the lives of others, the community and beyond. A recognized face in Vaughan, Romina, vvith the support of her husband, Toronto radio personality Tony Monaco, hosts several charitable events such as Hats On For Awareness and the Joey Conte Foundation Gala. In addition to charity, her passions and interests extend to Vaughan’s rapid cultural, developmental and economic transformation, becoming involved with Scotiabanks “Branching Out”
Program, VCC Business Achievement Awards, Vaughan Film Festival and other initiatives.