Senator Jack Reed receives Humanitarian Award from Tides Family Services
July 7th was an evening to remember at the Dunes Club. The annual gala is a way for people to learn more and recognize the great work Tides Family Services has been doing to help at risk families throughout Rhode Island. Brother Michael Reis, the CEO of Tides Family Services started Tides in 1983. He was formerly the CEO and Co-Founder of Ocean Tides, a residential treatment facility in Narragansett, but realized the need was to work with at risk families in their homes. “We have to meet kids in their own environment. This is why I started Tides Family Services. It is a different nonprofit than Ocean Tides and people often get us confused.” Both are under the LaSallian Christian Brothers Ministry but they are different organizations.
Tides Family Services serves over 500 families a day. Typically they are youth between 7-18, who struggle with school attendance in public school, who may not have been successful in other programs and have experienced trauma. The approach is to work with the entire family. “What makes Tides unique is that we never give up on a kid, never. We will not reject or eject a kid when they are struggling” stated Brother Michael. Locations are in Providence, West Warwick, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Woonsocket where family’s needs are great.
Joselys Candelario spoke to the crowd of over 220 people sharing how Tides staff saved her life. Jocelys shared her trauma and brought insight to the entire crowd when she simply stated “ I was not trying to run away or be difficult, I just didn’t want to be an adult at the age of 12. I lost my childhood when others abused me. Today, I am a perfect example of how Tides kept me out of the system, which is less costly to taxpayers. They followed me everywhere and kept me safe. Today, I am a graduate and I work full time at CVS. Tides helped me over come the obstacles while allowing me to have fun and be a kid. I owe them my life.”
Senator Reed was given the Brother John Norton Humanitarian Award by Board Chairwoman Linda D’Amario Rossi and Brother Michael Reis. He was honored because of his unwavering support and advocacy to those in need in Rhode Island. He is a role model across the country. He frequently returns to Rhode Island and visits the programs he champions to hear the realities of our work and to realize the impact it has on the people we serve.
Senator Reed stayed for the entire evening festivities, signed the Congressional Cookbook and took pictures with his supporters. He enjoyed a lively event with guests bidding on silent and live auction items. The fundraiser was a big success raising over $60,000 in revenue, their best event to date. “We need people to support solid nonprofits. Every dollar raised will impact the lives of those who need it most,” stated Senator Reed. “Tides is a high quality agency and I am honored to receive this award.”
