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
July 2025 FEN Workshops & Classes
7/8/25
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.
7/9/25
Safe Side Suicide Prevention Part 1 12-1:30 pm via Zoom. 7/9/25 Part 2 12-1:30pm via Zoom 7/16/25. This two-part workshop is designed to help families support youth who struggling with suicide risk or substance abuse.
Stages of Change; 2:00-3:00 pm via Zoom. Caregivers will learn the different stages of change, how to recognize each stage, how to provide support to yield lasting positive change.
7/11
Making the Internet Safer: 12:00-2:00 pm via Zoom. Hosted by Operation Parent: Discover how to protect your family from your biggest technology concerns like malware, inappropriate content, and the time spent on technology.
7/14
Sun-Sensational Summer: Adding Structure to Unstructured Time: 6:00-8:00 pm via Zoom. During this twice a month workshop caregivers will learn a variety of ways to add fun and educational structure during the unstructured summer months. Learn tips to manage transitions, behavior management, find fun family resources and enjoy the summer.
7/15
What’s Driving My Emotions: Pt.1 12-2:00 pm via Zoom or in-person at our Rochester (1 Mustard St) office. Caregiver will learn a multidisciplinary approach based on three distinct brain and body states in adults that drive behavior, and gain skills to help guide youth in managing their own emotions.
7/16
Safe Side Suicide Prevention Part 2 12-1:30pm via Zoom 7/16/25. This two-part workshop is designed to help families support youth who struggling with suicide risk or substance abuse.
7/18
Effective Strategies for Balancing Family Screen Time: 12:00-2:00 pm via Zoom. Hosted by Operation Parent: Caregivers will learn practical strategies to overcome challenges while highlighting what really works when it comes to fostering healthy tech habits. This workshop will spotlight valuable resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics, giving caregiver evidence-based guidance to make your home a healthy digital environment.
7/22
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.
7/25
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!
7/28
Sun-Sensational Summer: Adding Structure to Unstructured Time: 6:00-8:00 pm via Zoom. During this twice a month workshop caregivers will learn a variety of ways to add fun and educational structure during the unstructured summer months. Learn tips to manage transitions, behavior management, find fun family resources and enjoy the summer.
Classes
Active Parenting Continued; 12:30-2:30 via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse (215 Wyoming St) and Rochester (1 Mustard St) offices. 7/1. Sharpen your parenting skills and tackle today’s world’s problems with strategies that work. Participants completing all 6 sessions will receive a certificate.
Active Parenting; 12:30-2:30 via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse (215 Wyoming St) and Rochester (1 Mustard St) offices. Dates 7/15,7/22,7/29,8/5,8/12,8/19 Sharpen your parenting skills and tackle today’s world’s problems with strategies that work. Participants completing all 6 sessions will receive a certificate.
Active Parenting; 5:00-7:00 pm via Zoom. Dates 7/8,7/15,7/22,7/29,8/5, and 8/12. 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; 10-12pm via Zoom or in person at our Rochester (1 Mustard St) office. Dates 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7,8/14. A workshop on Behavior Support Techniques. Caregivers will learn how to respond when the children in our care become escalated. Join us to learn and practice some support techniques to better equip you in handling these challenging moments
Parenting the Love and Logic Way; 10:00-12:00 pm via Zoom or at Prendergast Library 509 Cherry St Jamestown NY. Dates: 7/16,7/23,7/30,8/6, 8/13, and 8/20. 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.
Anger Management: 9:30- 11am via Zoom. Dates:7/8, 7/15,7/22,and 7/29. This class will teach Parents and Caregivers how to better anger and understand the causes of anger
August 2025 FEN Workshops & Classes
Classes
Tuesdays- Evening Class, continued
Active Parenting Continued; 5:00-7:00 pm via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse (215 Wyoming St) and Rochester (1 Mustard St) offices. 8/5 and 8/12. Sharpen your parenting skills and tackle today’s world’s problems with strategies that work. Participants completing all 6 sessions will receive a certificate.
Active Parenting Continued; 11:30-1:30 via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse (215 Wyoming St). Dates 8/5,8/12,8/19 Sharpen your parenting skills and tackle today’s world’s problems with strategies that work. Participants completing all 6 sessions will receive a certificate.
Thursdays- Day class, continued
Crisis Response Training Continued; 10-12pm via Zoom or in person at our Rochester (1 Mustard St) office. Dates 8/7,8/14. A workshop on Behavior Support Techniques. Caregivers will learn how to respond when the children in our care become escalated. Join us to learn and practice some support techniques to better equip you in handling these challenging moments
Wednesdays- Day class, continued
Parenting the Love and Logic Way Continued; 10:00-12:00 pm via Zoom or at Prendergast Library 509 Cherry St Jamestown NY. Dates: 8/6, 8/13, and 8/20. 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, continued
Anger Management Continued: 9:30- 11am via Zoom. Date 8/5. This class will teach Parents and Caregivers how to better anger and understand the causes of anger
Workshops
Wednesday, August 6
SafeSide Prevention for Families 01:00-02:00 via Zoom. Course to designed to help families support someone struggling with suicide risk or substance abuse. Online Module that each participant will be assisted to enroll.
Tuesday, August 12
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, August 13
Parenting From the Heart 01:45-03:15 via Zoom.
Tuesday, August 26
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.
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.