C&W couple help fund children's mental health facility.

A new patient playground facility at the Children's Psychiatric Inpatient Unit at Yale-New Haven Hospital will be officially unveiled as a result of fundraising efforts by former Cushman & Wakefield senior brokerage professional Owen "Terry" Brown and his wife Nancy, also a C&W employee, whose vision and commitment to the project made the renovation possible.

Terry Brown, a former Cushman & Wakefield real estate services professional who passed away last November after a long battle with cancer, founded the organization that bears his name. Terry and Nancy were inspired to launch the fundraising drive in the fall of 2002, after their son Bobby spent 10 months in treatment at the unit. Securing the support of Cushman & Wakefield, Terry and his colleagues solicited support from the firm's offices across the country.

Soon after his fundraising efforts began to gain momentum, however, Terry was diagnosed with terminal esophageal cancer. During his fight with the illness, he continued to unselfishly focus his efforts on raising the funds necessary to build the new playground. Terry's friends, family, neighbors, and former colleagues also joined the effort. All were committed to helping Terry realize his dream before he died.

Terry Brown passed away in November 2003, but not before raising approximately $300,000 to ensure the playground's completion.

"Because of so much generosity and support for Terry in his efforts to raise these contributions, 'Terry's Dream' playground is now a reality," said Nancy Brown.

"We are thrilled and honored to celebrate this incredible effort to give so many children afflicted with devastating mental illnesses a fabulous place of joy," said Ken Krasnow, executive managing director and the New York Area leader for Cushman & Wakefield.

Hundreds of children will benefit from this wonderful new resource each year. The Children's Psychiatric Inpatient Service is a 15-bed unit, which is always full and where there is always a waiting list. Children from ages of four to 14 who suffer from abuse, anxiety, depression, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive disorders, childhood schizophrenia or a range of conditions typically spend a minimum of two weeks and an average of 30 days in the expertly staffed unit that is nationally known for its care of this vulnerable group of young patients.

"Our program is unique because we approach care as an orchestrated multidisciplinary team to understand and intervene on behalf of each child," said Dr. Andres Martin, medical director of the service.

Because budget cuts have forced the closure of pediatric mental health beds in Connecticut and across the nation, there are fewer and fewer places for sick children to go. Despite the financial situation, Yale-New Haven continues its commitment to caring for Connecticut's severely mentally ill children.

Terry--and all of the donors whose support made the playground possible--were honored with a tribute on Sept. 23 at at Yale-New Haven Hospital.