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
RSVP required 5 days prior to group
September & October 2025 FEN Workshops & Classes
Classes
Thursdays- Evening Class, NEW
Active Parenting: 4:30-6:30 pm via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse (215 Wyoming St). Classes start 9/11 through 10/16. Sharpen your parenting skills and tackle today’s world’s problems with strategies that work. Participants completing all 6 sessions will receive a certificate.
Thursdays- Evening Class, NEW
Parenting the Love and Logic Way: 05:30-07:30pm via Zoom or in-person at 2 East Avenue Falconer, NY (Falconer school district) Classes start 10/01 through 11/05. This class is six sessions 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.
Tuesdays- Day Class- NEW
Crisis Response Training; 12:00-02:00pm via Zoom or in person at our Warsaw (96 West Buffalo St) office. Dates 10/07, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, 11/11. Gain practical tools to support your child during challenging moments. Learn how to prevent escalation, respond effectively when it happens, and stay calm under pressure. This interactive series is designed to empower families with real-world strategies and support.
September Workshops
Wednesday, September 3
Caregiver’s Guide to Digital Safety (Internet Safety) 5:30- 7:00pm via Zoom. This 90-minute interactive Zoom training 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.
Tuesday, September 9
It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group 5:30-7pm 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, September 17
No One Left Behind: 11:00-12:00pm via Zoom or In-person at Family Opportunity Center Rm 166, 1 Mustard St. Rochester. Participants will discuss and learn strategies to maintain connection with family members/resources who are incarcerated or in rehab. They will discuss personal experiences and barriers so that the group can problem solve to overcome them.
Tuesday, September 23
It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group: 5:30-6:45pm 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.
Friday, September 26
Spanish Support Group: 12-1:00 via Zoom or in person at our Rochester (1 Mustard St) office.
Únase a nuestro Grupo de Apoyo en Español, que se lleva a cabo cada dos meses, el último viernes del mes. Este grupo ofrece un espacio acogedor y de apoyo para que las personas hispanohablantes se conecten, compartan experiencias y accedan a recursos en su comunidad. Juntos, discutiremos temas como la dinámica familiar, el manejo del estrés y los recursos comunitarios, todo en un entorno culturalmente sensible e inclusivo. Se ofrecerán refrigerios ligeros. Este grupo está abierto a todas las personas hispanohablantes que busquen apoyo y conexión. ¡Esperamos contar con su presencia!
Join us for our bi-monthly Spanish Support Group, held on the last Friday of every other month. This group provides a welcoming and supportive space for Spanish-speaking individuals to connect, share experiences, and access resources in their community. Together, we will discuss topics such as family dynamics, stress management, and community resources, all in a culturally sensitive and inclusive environment. Light refreshments will be provided.
This group is open to all Spanish-speaking individuals seeking support and connection. We look forward to seeing you there!
October Workshops
Thursday, October 2
Education Series: What is Special Education? 10:00-12:00pm via Zoom or-In Person at Hillside Office, 305 E Fairmont Ave. Lakewood, NY. This workshop will provide an overview of special education, the process of requesting testing and evaluations from the school to determine eligibility for special education services and define the differences between a 504 and IEP. Participants are encouraged to come with questions that will be answered in this workshop and throughout the series.
Wednesday, October 8
Preparing for the Holidays Group: 6:00-7:30pm via Zoom or In-Person at 2 locations! Hillside Office – 305 E Fairmont Ave. Lakewood or 50 Batavia City Center, Batavia. This group will assist you to prepare your youth for the upcoming Holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. This Group will meet the Second Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday, October 14
It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group: 5:30-7:00pm via Zoom or-In Person at Hillside Office – Lakewood, NY (Domino’s Plaza) 305 E Fairmont Ave. Lakewood. 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.
Friday, October 17
Relaxation and Mindfulness: 01:00-02:00pm via Zoom or In-person at Family Opportunity Center Rm 166, 1 Mustard St. Rochester. Come learn effective techniques to reduce stress, improve focus, and nurture your mind.
Wednesday, October 21
Caregiver’s Guide to Digital Safety (Internet Safety) 5:30- 7:00pm via Zoom. This 90-minute interactive Zoom training 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.
Wednesday, October 22
Self-Care: 01:00-02:00pm via Zoom or In-person at Family Opportunity Center Rm 166, 1 Mustard St. Rochester. Come learn self-care and personal hygiene skills important to maintaining your health, confidence, and social well-being.
Tuesday, October 28
It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group: 05:30-07:00pm 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 sessions on this page. A Hillside team member will contact you and help you register. Please note that RSVPs are required five days before any group session.
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.