Hillside Strong: Stories of Hillside
Honoring the Family Voice: Ten years ago, Amanda Marie’s 12-year-old daughter Emma faced serious emotional issues that profoundly impacted both of them in different ways. “She was hurting. And I was terrified for her,” Amanda recalls. While Hillside’s services made a crucial difference for Emma, Amanda also received vital support from a Peer Advocate—a compassionate professional who, informed by first-hand experience, provided empathy and understanding for Amanda’s struggles as a concerned caregiver.
Today, Amanda and her daughter have both emerged stronger from their journey—and as a Hillside Family Peer Advocate, Amanda uses her own lived experience to support other families of youth in care. As a partner to Hillside clinicians and direct-care teams, she helps parents like Annette Adamczak navigate the care pathways that are established for their loved ones.
“There have been times when I don’t know what we would have done without Amanda,” Annette says. “She really understands what we’re going through, because she’s been there.”
Stronger Futures Together: How You Can Help
The successes behind these Stories of Hillside are the result of partnerships—among youth, families and staff; community partners committing time, expertise and resources; and donors whose support empowers key programs and drives our innovation. Your support for our work can take many forms, and will help countless young people and adults achieve the stronger futures they deserve.
Become a Foster Parent at Hillside
The need for stable, loving foster homes has never been greater. Hillside provides training and support to ensure your success.
Work at Hillside
As a member of the Hillside team, you’ll advance your career while making a difference every day.
Donate to Hillside
Your generosity ensures the strength of our programs today, and helps us reach more youth, adults and families tomorrow.
Stronger Futures Together: How You Can Help
The successes behind these Stories of Hillside are the result of partnerships—among youth, families and staff; community partners committing time, expertise and resources; and donors whose support empowers key programs and drives our innovation. Your support for our work can take many forms, and will help countless young people and adults achieve the stronger futures they deserve.
Become a Foster Parent at Hillside
The need for stable, loving foster homes has never been greater. Hillside provides training and support to ensure your success.
Donate to Hillside
Your generosity ensures the strength of our programs today, and helps us reach more youth, adults and families tomorrow.
Work at Hillside
As a member of the Hillside team, you’ll advance your career while making a difference every day.
About Peer Advocacy at Hillside
When a youth or family needs support during challenging times, there’s no substitute for the perspective of an individual with lived experience.
Peer Support Services are a vital part of Hillside’s care community. Youth Peer Advocates are young adults who faced their own past challenges with help from Hillside or another agency, while Family Peer Advocates have had loved ones who needed professional support. All Peer Advocates empower youth and families by helping them connect to the right services, build life skills, and cultivate resiliency.
Following training and certification, Advocates join integrated Hillside care teams alongside other providers who work with youth and families in need. They work closely with clinicians and direct care providers to answer questions, offer a nonjudgmental ear, and build trust.
LEARN MORE
- Peer Advocacy is just one example of Hillside’s commitment to honoring the family voice. Click here to learn more about Family-Driven Care initiatives that support family involvement throughout our system of care.
- Hillside’s Family Empowerment Network provides free classes and supports that are open to caregivers and parents of a youth who are or have been served by Hillside. Click here to find out more about FEN.
- Hillside is hiring Family and Youth Peer Advocates to support programs throughout our New York State regions. Click here to review current openings, and apply today.