Washington, DC – Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Yvonne Gilchrist announced that she has resigned and will leave her position effective March 3, 2006. Gilchrist stated that submitting her resignation was a tough decision she made due to her strong desire to pursue other interests after 35 years in the field of human social services.

“As the director of the Department of Human Services, Yvonne Gilchrist helped to uplift the lives of many District residents who needed basic and emergency social services,” said Mayor Anthony A. Williams. “She demonstrated dedication in providing shelter and wrap-around social services for homeless individuals and families, and she showed creativity in partnering with faith-based organizations. I also applaud her success in rapidly creating an emergency shelter for Gulf Coast evacuees after Hurricane Katrina devastated that region.”   

“I believe that the District’s Department of Human Services is one of the best in the country and that District residents are well-served by its programs and staff. I am very proud of the Department’s many achievements under my leadership and am pleased that its management team is strong and very committed to serving the needs of poor and low-income residents,” said DHS Director Yvonne Gilchrist.