Coastal
Post Online
December,
2003
Carolyn Brown Passes
Carolyn L. Brown, Ph.D., a nationally
recognized advocate for children, lost a long battle with cancer on November 4,
2003. She was surrounded by her loving
family and friends.
During more
than 35 years of work with at-risk children and young adults, Dr. Brown helped
many hundreds of children and families toward better lives.
Born in Spokane, Washington on November 17,
1937, Carolyn was an only child and led an adventurous and independent
childhood. As a young woman she attended Whitworth College where her
adventuresome spirit led her to India for a year of study abroad.
In 1971, Carolyn founded The Growing Mind,
a pioneering school in Berkeley, California for learning-disabled children. The
Growing Mind later came to be known as Full Circle Treatment Center, a center
for boys with emotional, neurological and learning challenges. She served as
Director and later on the Board for many years. Her spirit will always reside
with the school.
In 1975, she
co-founded Commonweal, a health and environmental research institute in
Bolinas, California. She served as
Chair of the Board for 10 years and then as a Board Member for 28 years. Her true passion was her position as
Director of the Children and Young Adults Program at Commonweal. She was the person people called when they
had exhausted all possibilities of help for their children. Her greatest gift was her ability to focus
on the strengths in every person regardless of their difficulties. She believed in people when no one else
did.
In later years, Carolyn
created the Roundhouse, a residential program for young adults. With her
guidance students would pursue schooling, job skills and healing through
artistic expression. Many young adults and families lives have been touched by
her grace and compassion.
Carolyn received national recognition for her work. She received the Albert Elias Award from the
National Council on Crime and Delinquency, the Jenifer Altman Foundation Award
for her services to families and children, and she served as Chair of the
California Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Advisory Council under
Governor Jerry Brown.
Carolyn is
survived by her loving family Charlie, Cameron, Chris, Meloni, Stephanie,
Anita, Ed, Houston, Casey, Lily, Quinn and Nancy. She also leaves behind many close friends who will be forever
touched by her generosity, strength, love and kindness.
A memorial service to celebrate Carolyn's
life was held on November 22nd, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Cathedral located at
1100 California St., San Francisco.
Contributions to Carolyn's memory can be made to Hospice of Petaluma at
416 Payran St., Petaluma, Ca. 94952 or the Children and Young Adults Program of
Commonweal at P. O. Box 316 Bolinas, Ca. 94924.