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McClelland gone from Ruth Ellis Center

Jason A. Michael

HIGHLAND PARK – Last month, she received a leadership award from the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Addiction Professionals for her work. Last week, she was let go from the agency she helped build. Executive Director Grace McClelland is gone from Highland Park's Ruth Ellis Center.
Little is known about her departure, as few are willing to speak about it on the record. Jack VanHeck, who handles public relations for the agency, directed Between The Lines to speak with board members John Allen and Bill Greene. Allen, currently treasurer and a founding member of the board who has spoken on behalf of the agency for many years, deferred comment to Greene.
In response to Between The Lines' request for a comment, Greene hastily released the following statement.
"Grace McClelland submitted a written letter of resignation on Sept. 26," it read. "The board and the staff are engaged in a united effort to operate the center, and the needs of the young people we serve are being met without interruption."

What the statement fails to mention is that McClelland's letter allegedly said she was resigning effective Oct. 31. Instead, she was locked out of the agency's offices just days after submitting the letter to the board.
As of yet, there has been no interim executive director named. Greene's statement went on to say that a nationwide search would be conducted to find McClelland's successor. It was as the result of a nationwide search that McClelland was hired to lead the agency five years ago. She relocated from Pennsylvania to take the job.
For her part, McClelland said she could not speak on the advice of her lawyer, implying that litigation may be forthcoming.

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