It's all about family.

After committing nearly two decades to assisting people with developmental disabilities, mental health illnesses and those recovering from chemical dependencies, Unity House Executive Director Joyce Williams submitted her resignation from the agency Tuesday so she can be closer to her family.

"I have informed Unity House's board of directors and our entire Unity House staff of my decision to resign from this wonderful agency in order for my husband and me to follow through with our plans to relocate to North Carolina and be closer to family," she said in a news release.

"Although we are very, very excited about moving to North Carolina and starting that next phase of our lives, deciding to leave Unity House and the best employees and consumers and families in the world was the hardest choice I have ever made," she continued.

Her resignation is effective April 3, 2009.

Williams joined Unity House of Cayuga County Inc. in 1989, assumed the position of assistant executive director in May 1993 and ascended to the top role of executive director in November 1997.