HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2009-038 Recognizing Gretchen Aylsworth 05-14-2009-#1ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Recognizing Gretchen Aylsworth
WHEREAS, Gretchen Uzzle Aylsworth is retiring after seventeen years of tireless and
talented service to the children of Orange County as Director of the Guardian ad Litem
Program for Judicial District 15-B; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program across the State of
North Carolina since 1983 has been to recruit and train men and women from amazingly
diverse backgrounds to serve in court proceedings as the SOLE NEUTRAL ADVOCATE
FOR THE CHILD involving alleged abuse or neglect or other child custody issues; and
WHEREAS, the GAL program has served the best interests of thousands of children
over the years, in cases allowing many to return home, others to live with family
members, and still others to be adopted, with some 4,767 trained volunteers serving
17,189 children this past fiscal year alone -always with the goal that each child
represented by each GAL remain safe and in a permanent home; and
WHEREAS, the challenge for each GAL volunteer is to become totally involved in
investigating each case, requiring persistence and dedication in winning the child's trust
and interviewing parents, teachers, doctors, social workers and other significant
participants in the child's life; and
WHEREAS, each GAL must then be prepared not only to report information gleaned
from his or her investigation to the presiding judge in court, but more importantly to
advocate strongly and courageously for what the GAL has come to determine is in the
BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD -even when the GAL's conclusions in the matter
differ from those of the parents, the Department of Social Services, or even the judge;
and
WHEREAS, when Gretchen Aylsworth assumed the directorship of the important GAL
program in Orange and Chatham counties in 1992, she was the only staff member, had
only nine volunteers, had no office and no training facility, had to perform work and
training from her own home, and found most open court cases unassigned; and
WHEREAS, under Gretchen Aylsworth's superb leadership, the GAL Program in District
15-8 has achieved a reputation as one of the finest in North Carolina, having expanded
to encompass some eighty-three (83) active volunteers serving two hundred fifty-two
(252) children, including eighty-nine (89) families and one hundred forty-five (145)
children in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, the impact of the Guardian ad Litem Program in Orange County is beyond
measure in every juvenile court proceeding involving abused, neglected and needy
children where the presiding judge is fortunate to have the advocacy of an informed GAL
to weigh in deciding the best interest of each child;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of
Commissioners, are honored to recognize Gretchen Uzzle Aylsworth and the
extraordinary Guardian ad Litem Program and extend heartfelt thanks to Ms. Ayslworth
for every day of her seventeen years of labors on behalf of Orange Crnty's children.
This the 14th day of May, 2009. ~~~
.,
Valerie P. Foushee, air
Orange County Board of Commissioners