Sister Jean Orsuto is retiring after 20 years as director of the Emmanuel Care Center in Girard. She handled a variety of duties as director. Staff photo by Bob Coupland

GIRARD — After more than 20 years as director of the Emmanuel Community Care Center, Sister Jean Orsuto is stepping down.

Orsuto, of Mineral Ridge, became the director in February 2003 after Sister Lucille Conley retired. Orsuto’s last day is June 30.

“What I enjoyed the most was being able to help people who did not have that many resources. We do a lot here to help people with their food and clothing needs. We have a grant that is used to help house homeless people and also provide housing for homeless people with disabilities in the apartments here,” she said.

She said when people are faced with not having a lot of resources, she and the center staff reach out and help them get what they need.

When Orsuto, 77, started at the center, she worked with Conley for a few months during a transition period.

“When I knew Sister Lucille was going to retire I knew this was something I wanted to do. I was in nursing before this. I had an administrative background, so I knew how to organize. I soon learned about outreach to the poor and homeless and how to help them,” she said.

She lived in Ashtabula for many years and attended St. John School there.

Orsuto received her bachelor’s degree as a registered nurse from the University of Akron and her master’s degree in pediatric nursing from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing.

“A lot of the outreach that we do is helping people in Girard, Liberty, Mineral Ridge and McDonald with holiday assistance, school supplies and other needs. I think it is important to be able to help people who are your neighbors. None of us know what the person next door is struggling with,” she said.

Orsuto, a member of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary order, said many things are expensive and people’s resources have been cut, causing them to struggle.

“If we can do a little to help those who struggle, it is what we are here for,” she said.

With more available time, Orsuto said she will spend more time at the order’s motherhouse in Villa Maria, Pa., which is just over the Pennsylvania border from Coitsville Township in Mahoning County.

“I will be helping out more there. I also will be doing some development work, grant applications and fundraising opportunities for Humility of Mary Housing and the Emmanuel Center,” she said.

She said she will help with summer programs at the Villa Maria Spirituality Center and helping the other sisters get to doctor’s appointments and other places.

While she may be retiring from the center, Orsuto will stay active as a nun and do other jobs.

“Sisters do not really retire, they always find jobs to do,” she said.

Orsuto said she always has enjoyed the center staff who had a great sense of humor and the many volunteers.

“Everyone worked hard and had a great sense of humor and enjoyed what they did. Everyone was able to adapt and take care of different situations,” she said.

She said when the pandemic occurred in 2020, the volunteers could not come to the center. But the center stayed open and provided assistance with housing, food and clothing.

“Every day was different here. There is always something going on,” Orsuto said.

The agency helps between 300 and 400 active households.

“The work the Emmanuel Center has been doing will continue. We get a lot of support from churches, individuals and organizations,” she said.

She said the need to help people is constant. Orsuto said during the pandemic when extra resources were being provided at the state and federal levels, they did not come to the center as often.

“We are starting to see people coming that we have not seen in a few years,” she said.

“I am very grateful for all the support people have given to the Emmanuel Center over the years. We continue to exist because people continue to support us,” Orsuto said.

The new center director will be Ruthann Mathews, who will start July 1.

Orsuto said the center is in good hands and will continue to do well.