Meet the

Lasallian Service Award

Honorees

Lauren Dyer

For more than forty years, Lauren has exemplified what it eans to live a life of service. Nearly all of her distinguished career was spent with the Rhode Island Department for Children, Youth, and Families, where she worked tirelessly to support young people and their families with compassion, professionalism, and grace. Known for her steady presence and unwavering commitment to doing what’s right, Lauren has been a mentor to colleagues, a trusted advocate for those in need, and a true pillar of her community.

Her dedication extended beyond her professional life – through her faith, she found new ways to serve others, including annual mission trips that deepened her connection to those most in need. Her kindness, humility, and belief in the dignity of every person reflect the very heart of the Lasallian mission. Lauren’s legacy is one of service, compassion, and faith in action – an example to all who have had the privilege of knowing her.

Eric Griswold

For more than three decades, Eric Griswold devoted his career to guiding and supporting young people in our community. Through his work at Ocean Tides, Tides Family Services, and the Rhode Island Training School, Eric helped countless young men find structure, stability, and hope for their futures.

At Ocean Tides, he led the Narragansett residences with compassion and dedication, ensuring that each resident received the care and guidance needed to grow and succeed. At Tides Family Services, he oversaw outreach and treatment programs that strengthened families and connected youth to vital community supports. At the Rhode Island Training School, Eric served as a Juvenile Program Worker, providing daily supervision, mentorship, and crisis intervention while helping residents build the skills and confidence to move forward in positive ways.

Eric’s lifelong commitment to helping young men reach their full potential embodies the heart of our mission and the spirit of service that strengthens our entire community.

Br. John McGann, FSC

Brother John has been a guiding force within the Ocean Tides community for many years, through his work as a social service
counselor, serving as Ocean Tides’ Court Liaison, and now as a valued member of the Board of Trustees. His career has spanned decades of commitment to helping young people and families, both at Ocean Tides as well as Tides Family Services where, as Director of the Latino Outreach Project, he helped expand access to critical programs for at-risk youth and their families. During his time at Tides, Brother John played a vital role in strengthening community relationships, supporting family reunification efforts, and ensuring that services reached those most in need.

A Rhode Island native, Brother John holds advanced degrees in counseling, Spanish, and theology, with additional studies in
family therapy, psychology, and spirituality. His work has taken him from Central Falls to Bolivia, and from the classroom to
family court, always grounded in his belief in human dignity, faith, and the transformative power of education.

Brother John’s enduring spirit of service, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment to young people embody the very heart of the Lasallian mission.

Deb Buffi

Over the course of more than four decades in public service, Deb devoted her career to strengthening programs and systems that protect and empower the state’s most vulnerable populations. Most recently serving as Associate Director with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), Deb played a pivotal role in shaping and overseeing vital services for children and families. She led major procurements, fostered strong and trusting relationships with community providers, and worked tirelessly to ensure that every child and family received the support they deserved.

Earlier in her career, Deb served in multiple leadership roles with the Department of Human Services and the Executive Office of Human Services, where she championed initiatives that expanded access to assistance and stability for families in need. Her work on the RI Works Legislation and her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic stand as lasting testaments to her compassion, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to service.

Throughout her career, Deb has been guided by a simple but powerful belief: that every child and family deserves dignity, opportunity, and hope.

A Message from Our President and CEO

Dear Friends of Ocean Tides,

Please join us for our annual Autumn Fest at Ocean Tides School Narragansett. Our annual Fall event recognizes outstanding members of our community for their service to children and families. This year, we’re thrilled to honor four individual with our Lasallian Service Award; Lauren Dyer, Deb Buffi, Eric Griswold, and Br. John McGann, FSC. Each of these individuals have spent their careers in service to young people, ensuring the possibility of a brighter future for all who have been entrusted to their care.

Please join us on Friday, October 24th, to recognize these incredible individuals for their contributions to our community as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary. If you are unable to make it, please consider donating either directly on our website or with raffle prizes such as gift cards, merchandise or services.

We look forward to another successful occasion, and we truly thank you for your contribution to Ocean Tides and our mission.

With gratitude this Autumn season,

Brian Sullivan
President & CEO