Family Empowerment Network

FEN Workshops & Classes

We happily welcome all caregivers and parents of youth who are currently or have been part of Hillside to join our classes and workshops!

Any Caregiver who resides in the following counties may also attend these groups: Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming (no affiliation to Hillside required)

Register for Workshops and Classes

by filling out the “sign up” form at the bottom of the page

or by emailing fen@hillside.com

May 2026 FEN Workshops & Classes

May Classes

Tuesdays- Morning Class, In Progress                                                                  

Parenting the Love and Logic Way 10:00am- 12:00pm via Zoom or in person at 1 Mustard St. Family Opportunity Center, Room 166. Class dates: 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12 & 5/19. 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.

Saturdays- Morning Class, NEW                                                                          RSVP 5 days prior to class starting

Crisis Response Training 9:00- 11:00am via Zoom; Class dates 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/30, 6/6 & 6/13.  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 the children in their care 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. Complete all 6 classes to obtain certificate.

May Workshops

Thursday, May 7

Lunch with the Advocates: Overview of Office of Mental Health programs and services: 12:00- 1:00pm via Zoom or in person at James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701. OMH offers a multitude of services for children, adolescent and young adults.  These services can be perplexing and unclear for parents and caregivers.  The focus of the workshop is to provide an overview of licensed and non-licensed services.  The goal of the workshop is to assist parents and caregivers to have a better understanding and knowledge of these services. Workshop presenter is Jean Sadowy, LMSW, Director of Children and Family Services, WNY OMH Field Office and Maria Flecha, WNY Regional Supervisor of Peer Support and Family Advocacy Specialist.

Coffee Chat with Dr. Faith: Oppositional Defiant Disorder: 5:30- 6:30pm via Zoom via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester.  A light dinner and coffee will be provided at Mustard street. Join us to hear from Dr. Faith about the brain biology and treatment options, including medication management. Open for teens and adults. Dr. Faith Carini is a doctorally prepared Psychiatric Nurse. In addition to working in the Hillside Y-Act and Halpern day treatment program, runs a small private practice. Faith is passionate about holistic care and psychiatric crisis management.

Tuesday, May 12

It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group: 5:30- 7:30pm 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.

Youth Group: 5:30- 7:30pm via Zoom or in person at Patterson Library, 40 S. Portage Rd. Westfield.

For youth that are 12-21 years old. Helpful for youth Facing social emotional and Behavioral Health Challenges, struggling with handling stress or Youth that have family/friendship relationship Barriers

Wednesday, May 13

Journey through Grief: Support & Education: Grief Triggers: 10:30am- 12:00pm via Zoom. (Week 2) Understanding the dynamics of grief, bereavement & mourning: We will explore how grief triggers physiological and emotional responses, as well as shifts in identity. We will be creating a “trigger toolkit” to support us through anniversaries, special dates, sensory cues and more!

Voices, Connections, and Partnerships: Building Trust Between Families and Schools: 1:00- 2:00pm via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester. A Welcoming Group for parents and caregivers to connect learn and grow together. This group helps families build trust and positive relationships with schools through open communications, shared support and practical strategies that benefit student’s families alike.

Thursday, May 14

CARE Overview for Families: 10:00am- 12:00pm via Zoom. Do you have a child in Residential Services? Do you wonder why staff respond the way they do when working with your child? Do you want to learn how to support your child at home using the CARE model to help with their transition? If so, join us to learn about the CARE model, which is the framework that guides the work in Residential Services. The six principles that form the foundation of CARE are developmentally focused, family involved, relationship based, competence centered, trauma informed, and ecologically oriented.

Monday, May 18

Residential Family Support Group: “The big D word” Discharge 6:00- 7:30pm via Zoom. Discharge is both an exciting and terrifying time for a family. You have made a lot of progress to get to this point, and yet still feel unsure if you’re ready. Join us in supporting one another through this challenging next step.

Tuesday, May 19

Building Bridges: Understanding & Supporting children in Foster and Kinship Care: 5:00- 6:30pm via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester. This workshop is designed to help caregivers create a safe and nurturing environment for foster and kinship care children.  Participants will develop practical skills to welcome them with compassion, build trust, and support their growth and healing.

Tuesday, May 21

May is Mental Health Month Chautauqua: 5:30-7:00pm via In-Person at Dunkirk High School, 75 W. Sixth St, Dunkirk NY 14048. Room –TBD. Join us and fellow caregivers to discover resources in Chautauqua County and be part of building a more informed, supportive, and accepting community around mental health.

Tuesday, May 26

It Takes a Village- Caregiver Support Group: How to find Resources 5:30-7:30pm via Zoom or in person at James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701. 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.

Youth Group: 5:30-6:45pm via Zoom or in person at James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701. For youth that are 12-21 years old. Helpful for youth Facing social emotional and Behavioral Health Challenges, struggling with handling stress or Youth that have family/friendship relationship Barriers

Wednesday, May 27

Journey through Grief- Support & Education: (Week 3) Life Chapters: 10:30am- 12:00pm via Zoom. We will be exploring identity changes connected to grief; What has shifted? What remains? What is emerging in your sense of self? We will be doing a life chapters’ activity to help us explore and ponder these questions. This group will be facilitated by grief coaches Lacey Pickard & Serenity Hellinger.

Thursday, May 28

Youth Advisory Board:  5:30-6pm via In-person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester.

Coffee Chat with Dr. Faith: Reactive Attachment Disorder: 5:30- 6:30pm via Zoom via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester. A light dinner and coffee will be provided at Mustard Street. Join Dr. Faith to learn about this often stigmatized and misunderstood disorder. Participants will learn about biology, contributing factors, and treatment options available. Teens, adults, and caregivers welcome! Dr. Faith Carini is a doctorally prepared Psychiatric Nurse. In addition to working in the Hillside Y-Act and Halpern day treatment program, runs a small private practice. Faith is passionate about holistic care and psychiatric crisis management.

Friday, May 29

CSE/IEP Support: 11:00am- 12:00pm via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester. Informational group regarding CSE/IEP meetings. In this workshop parents will learn how to prepare for their child CSE/IEP meeting- covering qualification for an IEP- and more.

Saturday, May 30

May is Mental Health – Self-care workshop: 11:00am- 4:00pm, In-person only at 1 Al-Lorenz Park Mt. Morris NY 14510. In person event to celebrate May is Mental Health. This interactive workshop is designed to bring awareness to the importance of self-care in managing one’s mental health. Participants will work through a variety of stations that educate on different ways you can integrate self-care to your daily lives. Stations will be set up and participants can work at a pace comfortable to them. Materials for activities will be provided on site.

June 2026 FEN Workshops & Classes

June Classes

Saturdays- Morning Class, In Progress                                                            

Crisis Response Training 9:00- 11:00am via Zoom; Class dates 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/30, 6/6 & 6/13.  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 the children in their care 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. Complete all 6 classes to obtain certificate.

June Workshops

Tuesday, June 9

It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group: Activities to keep kids busy (off line) and or Appropriate Age Expectations 5:30- 7:30pm 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.

Youth Group: 5:30- 7:00pm via Zoom or in person at Patterson Library, 40 S. Portage Rd. Westfield.

For youth that are 12-21 years old. Helpful for youth Facing social emotional and Behavioral Health Challenges, struggling with handling stress or Youth that have family/friendship relationship barriers.

Wednesday, June 10

Journey through Grief: Support & Education: (Week 4) Grieving Unique Losses & Grief Resources: 10:30am- 12:00pm via Zoom. Not all grief is caused by death, this week we explore the grief that comes with the loss of relationships, health, career, identity, etc. We also provide the group with resources in our communities for grief supports. This group will be facilitated by grief coaches Lacey Pickard & Serenity Hellinger.

Thursday, June 11

Lunch with the Advocates: Inclusive Social and Recreational Resources for Children: 12:00- 1:00pm via Zoom or in person at James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701. Join advocates for a discussion on the Parent Centers throughout New York State, Center of Parent Information and Resources CPIR, as a resource of inclusive programs for children of all abilities. Attendees will learn of social and recreational programs for children.

Learning Loss Prevention for Kids: 5:00- 6:00pm via Zoom via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester. Connecting with parents to ensure children are engaged, safe, and learning educational play during summer vacation. Parents will learn fun and engaging activities to prevent educational gaps.

Monday, June 15

Residential Family Support Group: “I’m still the parent”: 6:00- 7:30pm via Zoom. Having a child live outside our home and depending on others to meet our child’s day-to-day needs can leave us feeling uncertain and disempowered as parents. Whether you are Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt or Uncle, you are still the parent. Join us in supporting one another as we explore ways to remember “I’m still the parent”.

Thursday, June 18

Youth Advisory Board: 5:30- 7:00pm via Zoom or in person (Location TBD). For youth that are 12-21 years old Living in Chautauqua county. Helpful for youth Facing social emotional and Behavioral Health Challenges, struggling with handling stress or Youth that have family/friendship relationship barriers.

Coffee Chat with Dr. Faith: Trauma Informed Parenting: 5:30- 6:30pm via Zoom via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester.  A light dinner and coffee will be provided at Mustard street. Join Dr. Faith as she discusses how hard it is to be a parent/guardian of a youth who has experienced trauma. This will be discussion around how to navigate the social dynamics associated with being the parent of a child who has trauma or PTSD. Education on biology and treatment options will be shared. This discussion will serve as a good reminder that we are not alone in our journey through trauma. Dr. Faith Carini is a doctorally prepared Psychiatric Nurse. In addition to working in the Hillside Y-Act and Halpern day treatment program, runs a small private practice. Faith is passionate about holistic care and psychiatric crisis management.

Monday, June 22

CSE/IEP Support: 11:00am- 12:00pm via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester. Informational group regarding CSE/IEP meetings. In this workshop parents will learn how to prepare for their child CSE/IEP meeting- covering qualification for an IEP- and more.

Tuesday, June 23

It Takes a Village- Caregiver Support Group: Activities to keep kids busy (off line) and or Appropriate Age Expectations 5:30-7:30pm via Zoom or in person at James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701. 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.

Youth Group: 5:30- 7:00pm via Zoom or in person at Patterson Library, 40 S. Portage Rd. Westfield.

For youth that are 12-21 years old. Helpful for youth Facing social emotional and Behavioral Health Challenges, struggling with handling stress or Youth that have family/friendship relationship barriers.

Thursday, June 25

Youth Advisory Board: 5:00- 6:00pm via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester. For youth that are 12-21 years old. Helpful for youth Facing social emotional and Behavioral Health Challenges, struggling with handling stress or Youth that have family/friendship relationship Barriers

Monday, June 29

Men’s Connection Group: 1:00pm- 2:30pm via Zoom or in person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester. This monthly men’s group provides a safe and supportive space for men to come together, build meaningful connections, and engage in open discussions on a variety of topics.  The group focuses on personal growth, skill development, and shared learning while fostering fellowship, mutual support, and accountability among men in a respectful and welcoming environment.

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.