Portuguese Cultural Club of Vaughan
| Founding Date: | March 28, 2011 |
| Address: | 2943 Major Mackenzie Drive PO Box 96784 Maple, ON. L6A 0A2 |
| Contact: | 416-319-7545 |
REFLECTING THE EXPANSION OF OUR COMMUNITY
Audio Version:
Vaughan has been known as an Italian stronghold, but the Portuguese have recently occupied the area in large numbers. Most relocate from Toronto looking for larger properties and a more relaxing lifestyle. Given the current size of the Luso-Canadian population in the region, it is no surprise that a formal association was formed in March of 2011.
It all started on a friday evening, in 2011, when friends were having coffee at a local popular place. Milene, Teresa Paula, Valter, Fernando, Ana and Tony came up with the idea of forming a Portuguese Club in Vaughan. It took them only a few weeks to finalize the plans and, on March 28th of that same year, the Portuguese Cultural Club of Vaughan was officially founded.
Most of its founders already had experience with other community organizations. For example, Milene and Valter Ferreira were once in charge of the folk-dance group at Peniche Club, in Toronto. This experience helped the new association grow substantially and thrive in a city that was in dire need of proper official representation from our community.
The formation of a folk-dance group was, indeed, one of the first projects undertaken by the newly formed executive. However, the interest was such that two groups were immediately formed: Os Antigos, an adult group, and As Estrelas for the younger members. Most of the groups’ members reside in Vaughan.
As is tradition in most Portuguese associations across the country, soccer always finds its way into the fold. It was no exception here. The PCCV Panthers started with an adult group that competed in local leagues, but, due to high demand from its members, it grew into a large soccer school where youth from all ages and genders learned and perfected their skills.
On February 20, 2016, the Portuguese language school officially opened to the organization’s members and larger community. This was made possible due to a partnership with Instituto Camões, which was represented by Fátima Barros. The school serves children from the ages of four to fourteen years old. The first set of classes took place at the Maple Library, situated on 10190 Keele Street. Parents were asked to pay a symbolic fee of two hundred and twenty dollars for a six-month term.
The organization’s mission, as it is stated on its website, is to offer a place where one can socialize and maintain our heritage, and offer the younger generation with the opportunity to learn the Portuguese language.
The Portuguese Cultural Club of Vaughan also awards annual scholarships to members registered with post-secondary educational institutions.
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