Betty Bothell holds a proclamation presented to her at a recent F&CS board meeting.
On a typical day at Family & Children’s Services Central office, Betty Bothell sits quietly behind the desk, smiling, watching and waiting for the next young client and the parents to come in the lobby.
“Can I help you?” she says in a warm soothing voice. The parent proceeds to ask a question as the child stands by shyly. As she often does, Betty asks the child, “I think I have a stuffed animal. Would you like to hold one?”
The child’s eyes light up, and after a nod from the parent, proceeds to look at the options Betty pulls out of the basket.
Betty brings joy to many Child Abuse and Trauma Services (CATS) clients as well as FCS employees who frequent the front lobby. Bothell is retiring after 17 years of service at the agency.
“Betty has always gone above and beyond to serve our clients, whether in person or over the phone,” said Central Front Desk Supervisor Julie Harris. “If you see the need, do the deed” seems to be her personal mantra. Coming to therapy can be a scary experience for young children who don’t know what to expect, but Betty sets them at ease from the moment they walk through the door, with her warm smile and welcoming spirit. Betty’s presence will be sorely missed by all who were blessed enough to cross paths with her over these past 17 years.”
Bothell also has worked at the East Office and for the Human Resources Department. She said that the best part of her job is the children and participating in the special employee events.
“It’s so exciting to see how much Family & Children’s Services has grown,” Betty said. “I’m proud to be a part of an organization respected in the community for improving the lives of our clients. It has been a job to see employees helping other employees who were experiencing hard times.
Bothell said one of the most important lessons she learned at FCS is to understand the client and what it takes for them to get help.
“There are many who have no income, no support system and no transportation,” she said. “That is why FCS is so important – we meet those needs.”
Her parting advice to new employees? “Please know that whatever job you are doing here is an important part in making this organization great.”
City of Tulsa
Mayor GT Bynum
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Betty Bothell is retiring after 17 years of devoted life changing work at Family and Children’s Services (F&CS) and its clients in need,
WHEREAS, Betty has facilitated enrolling thousands of parents into classes to strength their families,
WHEREAS, Betty is kindly considered among her peers “the patron saint of children” bringing joy and smiles to countless of traumatized and abused children over the years,
WHEREAS, Betty’s selfless acts of kindness as well as her smiles bring healing and hope to victims of abuse,
WHEREAS, Betty is the heart, face and voice of the F&CS Central Office to the thousands upon thousands in need who enter our doors or call seeking help at F&CS; and
WHEREAS, Betty always goes above and beyond to help someone in need, and has been known to give up her own lunch to a homeless client needing a meal,
WHEREAS, Betty provides the F&CS children used treasures in the form of toys, books, trinkets and dolls, as they exit their counseling appointments, bringing hope for them to continue on,
Now, Therefore I, GT Bynum, Mayor of the City of Tulsa, do hereby proclaim November 22nd, 2019 as
BETTY BOETHELL DAY
IN THE CITY OF TULSA
