About Romina Monaco

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND "RO ON THE GO"

Three years ago my online platform, The Italianista altered course and morphed into 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.

I was born on Lake Maggiore, in the northern Italian Alpine Lake District. I arrived in Canada in 1972 when I was just a year old and resided in the predominantly Italian Finch-Islington area of North York. At the age of ten I moved to the outskirts of the city where I tried desperately to fit in with my Anglo peers. In the process I began to disassociate myself from my ethnicity. Everything changed when I took a three month holiday to Europe, spending an extended period of time in the Italian Alps as well as southern France. I returned home a changed person. No longer embarrassed by my heritage I continued to travel back to Europe in order to satiate this hunger for culture.

My intrigue with Italian 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.

Contact - theitalianista@yahoo.ca