Unione Ticinese , mutual aid society

The Unione Ticinese was originally founded as a mutual aid society by Ticinesi immigrants mainly form the Alpine valleys of Blenio and Leventina in Switzerland's Italian speaking area of Ticino.

In June 1939 the Ladies section was formed, and in 1954 these two sections merged, creating the basis of today's continuing society.

The Unione Ticinese's aims and objectives are:

• To foster among members of the society and particularly among its younger ones, the spirit of Ticinese character and strengthen the bonds of friendship and fellowship.
• To promote and encourage social cultural and educational activities of a general nature which embrace common values and traditions of the Ticino and of its neighbouring regions.
• To encourage the development of youth activities and to enable new arrivals from Italian speaking Switzerland to integrate easily into the English way of life.
• To maintain close ties with the 'Pro-Ticino' movement, with the 'Organisation of the Swiss Abroad' in Bern and with other Swiss and European organisations whose overall aims are in the interest to the membership of the society.
• To celebrate each year and in an appropriate manner, the anniversary of the foundation of the organisation.
• To assist members in case of grave need.