The longtime leader of one of Stamford's most prominent chairitable and community organizations is retiring. The Reverand Richard L. Shuster has been leading St. Lukes Lifeworks since 1987. He originally brought in as a consultant and ended up staying for 22 years. The Advocate reports Shuster built the then troubled non-profit charity, beginning with fewer than 50 clients, into a vibrant, positive thinking organization providing education programs and emergency and temporary housing for those with low incomes, victims of abuse and those living with mental illness and AIDS. Shuster's colleagues are lauding his tenure. The chief learning officer of St Luke's says that for those the Rev. helped, the organization, provided a real home and not just a brick and mortar shelter. St Luke's helps at least 400 people annually and has an operating budget of $4 million dollars.