When Maria Ursini, former Director of the Benjamin Church Senior Center, decided to step back to devote more time to her family, finding a replacement was seamless. Her Assistant Director, Donna Coroa Wilson, has long been the smiling face welcoming Bristol’s seniors through the doors at 1020 Hope Street.

And though Wilson has been on the job there for years, initially as a volunteer, the foundation of her work was laid long ago.

“I love the elderly, that has always been my thing,” said Wilson. “It was fun doing volunteer work here, and then when the (assistant) position came open…I think I was just destined to this to this job.”

Wilson’s family emigrated the the U.S. from Sao Miguel; her generation was the first born in this country. While her parents and aunts and uncles all worked, her grandmother, Mary Jo Pacheco, took care of her grandchildren at her home on Mt. Hope Avenue.

All 15 of them.

“She was literally taking care of 15 grandchildren at the same time,” said Wilson. “It was a madhouse but she and my grandfather kept us in line. And we created an amazing bond.”

It is in memory of her beloved grandmother that Wilson created the Foster-a-Senior program, her annual gathering and delivery of gifts and necessities for seniors every holiday season. “My grandmother would take care of a lot of the elderly people around her, and we would go deliver ingredients for bread and sometimes give them a little money — five or ten dollars would go a long way — so I think that's where my love for the elderly began. I love taking care of them because I saw my grandmother doing it.”

Wilson did not even know that the Senior Center was a thing until Ursini, a friend going back to when they both had children at the Colt Andrews School, asked her if she wanted to volunteer. Ursini’s departure is bittersweet for Wilson, who, though excited to step into the leadership role, will miss her longtime collaborator.

“Maria is a phone call away, so if I need her, I can call her and she’ll be right here helping me out,” she said.

Though they will eventually advertise to fill the assistant position, Wilson is currently focused on fully learning her new role so she can be comfortable before she trains a new assistant. She has plenty of support from the rest of the veteran staff at the Center.

Wilson doesn’t plan to make any drastic changes, but she is hoping to host more community events, especially when the weather allows everyone to gather outside. The Center just hosted a very successful Christmas in July event, which had Gerry and Mickie MacNeill reprised their roles as Santa and Mrs. Claus for some 75 guests on the front lawn.

A lot of these events are dependent on the generosity of the community — Gil’s has donated a Weber grill to the Center, and Reliable Pest Control donated hamburgers and hot dogs for a recent cookout, to name just two examples of the way local businesses have stepped up. “I look to the community to help,” said Wilson. “Without them we couldn't do what we do here.”

Though the Benjamin Church Senior Center is adjacent to the Benjamin Church Manor residences, they are separate entities with shared clientele. The Senior Center services are available to all Bristol residents over the age of 50 (yes, 50) including those who live in other housing communities as well as on their own.

The senior center serves as a central point of assistance and information, with everything from tax preparation help to transportation services.

“We're the hub of senior services for the whole community,” said Wilson.
Looking forward, she would like younger people in the community to think of ways they could engage with the Senior Center. Wilson’s own mother and aunt came to the Christmas in July event, and had a great time. “We had a lot of fun, and I think it’s a great opportunity for people to come with their older family members and have a good time, together.”

“I’m excited to grow these events,” she said. “I am looking forward to the challenge.”