De La Salle Christian Brothers Continue 150-Year Witness to RI Youth
by Lauren Clem, Staff Reporter
Narragansett, RI – Most Rhode Island residents have, at some point, taken a drive down Ocean Road, enjoying the calm sea breezes and winding curves on the way to a day of sun tanning at Narragansett Beach, munching on Iggy’s Doughboys or taking in the sunset at Point Judith Lighthouse. And, just before the turnoff for Scarborough Beach, most travelers have passed by an unassuming driveway with barely a look at the gold-lettered sign that reads, “De La Salle Christian Brothers Center,” and beneath that, “Ocean Tides School.”
But, for the 13 religious brothers and 30-or-so students who call the property home, the Christian Brothers Center and accompanying Ocean Tides School — for male youth certified by the R.I. Dept. of Education for general and special education programming — are havens of calm exemplifying the values of the De La Salle Christian Brothers who came to Rhode Island nearly 150 years ago.
Brother Edmond Precourt, executive director of the center, spoke about the mission of the brothers during an interview at the Christian Brothers Center last Thursday. “We were founded to teach the poor over 300 years ago in France,” he said. “It’s important, the type of work that we became exposed to. That’s what Christianity’s all about — reaching out to help.”