Family Empowerment Network
Staying Connected and Growing Together
At Hillside, families are at the heart of everything we do. We formed the Family Empowerment Network (FEN) as another way to bring families together—to offer support, share perspectives, and provide invaluable guidance that strengthens the entire Hillside community.
In-person and virtual FEN workshops and parent education classes are offered multiple times each month, and are free of charge to attend. The meetings are open to all current or former Hillside parents, caregivers and family members, as well as family and youth peer advocates, and interested staff. FEN groups include:
- Discussions that empower parents and caregivers
- Opportunities to meet other families, staff, leadership and community and state partners
- Educational opportunities to keep you in-the-know about beneficial information and resources
- Opportunities for parents and caregivers to build leadership and advocacy skills
Whether you’re currently a parent or caregiver looking for support, or you’re simply looking to stay connected with other like-minded individuals, you don’t have to go through your situation alone.
FEN Workshops & Classes
Each month, Hillside’s Family Empowerment Network
hosts workshops and classes. Any Caregiver/Parent of a youth currently
or previously served by Hillside is welcome to join.
Register for Workshops and Classes
by filling out the “sign up” form at the bottom of the page
or by emailing fen@hillside.com
January 2026 FEN Workshops & Classes
Classes
Tuesdays- Evening Class, In Progress
Active Parenting: 4:30-6:30 pm via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse (215 Wyoming St). Classes start 12/2 through 1/06/26. Sharpen your parenting skills and tackle today’s world’s problems with strategies that work. Participants completing all 6 sessions will receive a certificate.
Tuesdays- Day Class, NEW, RSVP 5 days prior to class starting
Active Parenting:4:30-6:30 pm via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse (215 Wyoming St). Classes start 1/15 through 2/19. Sharpen your parenting skills and tackle today’s world’s problems with strategies that work. Participants completing all 6 sessions will receive a certificate.
January Workshops
Wednesday, January 7
Coffee Hour: 11:00am-12:30pm via Zoom or in person at the Syracuse Family Opportunity Center (215 Wyoming St). This workshop occurs every Wednesday. What’s stressing you out? Come talk about it over Coffee. This group is an opportunity for reflective discussion, personal improvement, to strengthen one’s resilience & to connect with peers in a safe space to explore whatever is concerning or bothering you. Have your coffee & snacks ready if you are on zoom, if you’re in person in Syracuse then come enjoy a warm drink and snacks.
Crisis Response: 11:00am-2:00pm via Zoom. When crisis occurs, we need more than instincts; we need tools! This workshop is designed to help caregivers stay calm, respond with confidence, and support themselves and their children through moments of crisis. You will learn practical strategies to de-escalate intense situations, effectively communicate during emotional overload, and guide your child back to safety and connection.
How to Access Resources in Your Community: 1:00pm-3:00pm via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center Rm 166, 1 Mustard St. in Rochester. This session helps families identify and connect with local supports and services that meet their specific needs. Participants will learn practical ways to navigate community systems, understand eligibility requirements, and build confidence in seeking assistance for housing, education, employment, and mental health supports.
Tuesday, January 13
It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group: 5:30-7:00pm via Zoom or in Person at Patterson Library, 40 S. Portage Rd. Westfield. A group of caregivers who connect to provide support to each other on the issues that caregivers face when raising children. This group will connect through sharing experiences, resources, compassion, empowerment, and encouragement.
Wednesday, January 14
Family First: Communication and Connection: 5:30pm-7:00pm via Zoom or in person at the. 305 E. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY. Strengthen your family’s connection through active listening, effective communicating, and family relationships. In this first session participants will learn active listening skills and strategies and the importance of active listening to our kids to build a better relationship. We will role play, and give examples of how to use active listening skills with our children.
Thursday, January 15
Internet Safety: 10:00-11:30am via Zoom or In-person at 305 E Fairmount, Lakewood, NY. Equips caregivers with the knowledge and tools to help children navigate the online world safely. Participants will learn how to set healthy boundaries, recognize online risks, encourage open communication, and use parental controls effectively. The session will include practical demonstrations, real-world scenarios, and trusted resources caregivers can access after the training.
Monday, January 19
Residential Family Support Group: Communicating with my child’s team 6:00- 7:30pm via Zoom. Why is communication important? How can I get my child’s team to hear me? Join us in discussing this important topic and overcoming barriers to communication!
Tuesday, January 20
Self-Care for Caregivers: 4:00- 6:00pm via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center Rm 166, 1 Mustard St. Rochester; This group focuses on the importance of self-care for those who dedicate their time and energy to caring for others. Participants will explore practical strategies to maintain their own well-being while supporting loved ones. The session will include a reflective activity — writing a letter to yourself — to encourage self-compassion, personal insight, and renewal. Self-care bingo too.
Wednesday, January 21
Coffee Hour: 11:00am-12:30pm via Zoom or in person at the Syracuse Family Opportunity Center (215 Wyoming St). This workshop occurs every Wednesday. What’s stressing you out? Come talk about it over Coffee. This group is an opportunity for reflective discussion, personal improvement, to strengthen one’s resilience & to connect with peers in a safe space to explore whatever is concerning or bothering you. Have your coffee & snacks ready if you are on zoom, if you’re in person in Syracuse then come enjoy a warm drink and snacks.
Thursday, January 22
Men’s Connections: 5:30-6:30pm via Zoom or in person at 1 Mustard St. in Rochester. This group provides a safe and supportive space for men to openly share their experiences, challenges, and successes. Through guided discussions and peer connection, participants will explore healthy ways to manage stress, strengthen relationships, and build positive coping strategies. The goal is to foster connection, understanding, and empowerment among men in our community.
Friday, January 23
Spanish Support Group: 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom or in person at 1 Mustard St. Room 166–Family Opportunity Center in Rochester.
La Clave para una comunicación efectiva con sus hijos. Confianza con Tu Hijo: La Clave para una Comunicación Efectiva. Construir confianza con tu hijo es fundamental para fomentar una relación sana entre padres e hijos. Destaca la importancia de la confianza en la comunicación y el entendimiento mutuo.
Tuesday, January 27
It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group: 5:30-7:30pm via Zoom or-In Person at Hillside Office – Lakewood, NY (Domino’s Plaza) 305 E Fairmont Ave. Lakewood, NY. A group of caregivers who connect to provide support to each other on the issues that caregivers face when raising children. This group will connect through sharing experiences, resources, compassion, empowerment, and encouragement.
Class & Workshop Sign Up
Please fill out this form to join one or more Workshops or Classes on this page. A Hillside team member will contact you and help you register. Please note that RSVP is required five days before for Classes only! This is to ensure you receive the class materials.
If you’re interested in learning more about FEN, have an idea for a group, or have questions, contact Hillside at fen@hillside.com or 585-256-7500.