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 Virtual Groups
Each month, Hillside’s Family Empowerment Network hosts groups that are facilitated by Hillside Family Peer Advocates. Any Caregiver/Parent of a youth currently or previously served by Hillside is welcome to join.
January 2025 Groups
Who can attend:
*All Caregivers whose youth currently are receiving or have received Hillside services
*Any Caregiver who resides in the following counties may also attend these groups: Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming (no affiliation to Hillside req.)
Register at fen@hillside.com, by calling Carrie at (716) 220-6850, or your Hillside Family Peer Advocate
RSVP required 5 days prior to group
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Tuesdays
Active Parenting; 11:30am-1:30pm via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse (215 Wyoming St) and Rochester (1 Mustard St) offices. 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, and 2/11. Sharpen your parenting skills and tackle today’s world’s problems with strategies that work. Participants completing all 6 sessions will receive a certificate.
Crisis Response Training: 5-7 pm via ZOOM or in person at our Rochester (1 Mustard) office. 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, and 1/28. Crisis response training offer caregivers support with preventing crises from occurring, de-escalating crisis, remaining calm in crisis situations, and using crisis as an opportunity for growth. A light dinner will be served.
Wednesdays
Parenting the Love and Logic Way; 6-8 pm via Zoom This course is six sessions: 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, and 2/5. Designed to help parents equip kids with character, this parenting program will give you practical skills that can be used immediately! Certificates available for caregivers completing all 6 classes.
Wednesday January 8
How to Start the IEP Process: 9-11 am via Zoom. Learn the ways to start the Individualized Education Process (IEP), learn what the school’s obligations are and what to do if you encounter barriers.
Thursday, January 9
The Man Cave: 6-7pm via Zoom and in person at our Rochester office, (1 Mustard St). Come together as a group/male identifying folx to be heard, build community, engage in good conversation and good therapeutic discussions, explore and learn about helpful resources for men and their families, prepare for job readiness, learn how to make money and keep it, grow, rest, have fun, and heal.
Friday January 10
Goal Setting: 12-1:30 pm via Zoom and in person at our Syracuse office (215 Wyoming St.). This group will focus on goal setting and following through on personal plans in the new year.
Tuesdays
Parenting the Love and Logic Way-Adults Supporting Youth with Challenging Past: 10-12pm Via Zoom or in person at Patterson Library 40 S Portage Street Westfield 1/14,1/21,1/28,2/4,2/11,2/18. This 6-week class is designed to learn how trauma affects the brain, how it relates to behaviors, foundations for healing and how to apply Love and Logic Skills. Participants who complete the class will receive a certificate.
Tuesday, January 14
It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group 5:30-7:30pm via Zoom or in Person at Patterson Library 40 S Portage Street Westfield. A group of caregivers who connect to provide support to each other on the issues that caregivers face when raising children.
Wednesday, January 15
Parenting from the Heart: 1-2pm via Zoom: Learn useful parenting techniques that help to maintain positive and supportive relationships while still enforcing structure in a loving way.
Residential Mix & Mingle- Virtual 6:00-7:30pm The Residential Mix & Mingle is a place to meet with other
caregivers who have children in residential care. There will be a topic of discussion each
month and a time to connect with each other.
Thursday, January 16
Caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids (CONK) Group: The Importance of Routines 5:30-7pm via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse office, 215 Wyoming St. Join us as we explore strategies and share experiences parenting children who experience autism, ADHD, fetal alcohol spectrum, and more. Understand how routines play a role in providing consistency, stability, and independence for our children.
Wednesday, January 22
IEP vs 504: 9-11am Via Zoom. Join us to learn the differences between a IEP and a 504 plan, and how each can benefit your child’s education.
Thursday, January 23
The Man Cave: 6-7pm via Zoom and in person at our Rochester office (1 Mustard St). Come together as a group/male identifying folx to be heard, build community, engage in good conversation and good therapeutic discussions, explore and learn about helpful resources for men and their families, prepare for job readiness, learn how to make money and keep it, grow, rest, have fun, and heal.
Tuesday, January 28
It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group: 5:30-7:30pm via Zoom or-In Person at Prendergast Library 509 Cherry St Jamestown NY. A group of caregivers who connect to provide support to each other on the issues that caregivers face when raising children.
Friday, January 31
Spanish Support Group: 12-1 via Zoom Charla abierta para apoyar a los padres hispanohablantes
Únase a nosotros en una sesión breve y para compartir y reflexionar sobre el “Sentimiento del día”. Esta es una oportunidad para conectarse, fomentar la empatía y construir conexiones. Todos son bienvenidos a participar.
To join one or more of the sessions on this page, click the link above or email FEN@hillside.com.
Please provide your phone number and you’ll be connected with a Hillside team member who can answer your questions and help you register.
Please note: RSVPs are required five days prior to any group.
Do you have ideas for a Group? Please send them to fen@hillside.com!
If you’re interested in learning more about FEN and joining the conversation, contact Hillside at fen@hillside.com or 585-256-7500.