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

July & August 2026 FEN Workshops & Classes

Classes

Tuesday, Evening Class, NEW                                                                               RSVP 5 days prior to class starting

Crisis Response Training; 4:00-6:00pm via Zoom or in person at 1 Mustard St., in Rochester.

Class dates 7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4 & 8/11.

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.

Complete all 6 classes to obtain certificate.

Thursday- Day Class, NEW                                                                                     RSVP 5 days prior to class starting

Active Parenting: 11:00am-1:00pm via Zoom or in person at 1 Mustard St., in Rochester.

Class dates 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6 & 8/13.

This 6-week class will show you effective ways to…

• use nonviolent discipline that really works
• open up lines of communication—before they get clogged
• teach responsibility, courage, and other important character traits
• encourage school success in 7 steps
• prevent future problems with drugs, alcohol, and sex
• defuse power struggles with your children
• stimulate independence as your child grows older
• stop scolding and start smiling with your kids again!

Complete all 6 classes to obtain certificate.

Wednesday- Day Class, NEW                                                                                RSVP 5 days prior to class starting

Parenting the Love and Logic Way®: 10am – 12:30pm via zoom or in person at James Prendergast Library, 50 Cherry St, Jamestown, NY 14701

Class Dates 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5, 8/12 & 8/19

Six sessions designed to help parents equip kids with character,

This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately!

You will learn how to:

• Stay calm when your kids do incredibly upsetting things.
• Set enforceable limits.
• Avoid enabling and begin empowering.
• Help your kids learn from mistakes so they don’t repeat them.
• Raise kids who are family members rather than dictators.

Complete all 6 classes to obtain certificate.

Monday- Day Class, NEW                                                                                       RSVP 5 days prior to class starting

Parenting the Love and Logic Way®: 3:00pm – 5:00pm via zoom

Class Dates 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17 & 8/24

Six sessions designed to help parents equip kids with character,

This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately!

You will learn how to:

• Stay calm when your kids do incredibly upsetting things.
• Set enforceable limits.
• Avoid enabling and begin empowering.
• Help your kids learn from mistakes so they don’t repeat them.
• Raise kids who are family members rather than dictators.

Complete all 6 classes to obtain certificate.

July Workshops

Wednesday, July 9

Monroe County Supports 1:00pm – 2:00pm via Zoom.

Come learn about the hotlines and emergency services in Monroe county, and where to get basic needs

Tuesday, July 14

It Takes a Village: Caregiver Support Group: Building Your Social Network

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

This workshop will discuss the importance of caregivers building their social network for themselves and for their child. Attendees will learn about groups and organizations (local, state-wide and national) to support the caregiver and the child such as Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO), Kinship Navigator, Families Together in NYS, and others.

Youth Group: Giving Back to the Community

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 Living in Chautauqua county.

Youth will learn about opportunities in their communities to volunteer and the impact that volunteering and giving back has on their mental health. The facilitator will share how volunteering can increase self-confidence and can be a stepping stone for employment.

Thursday, July 16

It Takes a Village- Caregiver Support Group: Learning about Community Resources to Support My Child 5:30-7:30pm via Zoom or in person at 75 West 6^th Street Dunkirk, NY 14048.

Attendees will gain an understanding of community resources and programs to help children be successful at home and in the community. Resources will be shared to support school learning, social and emotional wellness, and independence. This will be an interactive workshop in which caregivers can share needs and concerns as well as the strengths of their child and learn what is available to support their child.

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.

Youth will learn about opportunities in their communities to volunteer and the impact that volunteering and giving back has on their mental health. The facilitator will share how volunteering can increase self-confidence and can be a stepping stone for employment.

Tuesday, July 21

Parenting from the Heart: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM via Zoom

Attendees will learn helpful techniques to maintain and support caregiving relationships in a loving way.

Wednesday, July 22

Youth Advisory Board: Volunteering 1:00pm – 2:00pm Location TBD

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

Thursday, July 23

Youth Advisory Board:

5:00-6:00pm via In-person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester.

Building Mindfulness: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM via zoom or In-person at the Family Opportunity Center, 1 Mustard St., Rochester.

Mindfulness is the practice of paying full attention in the present moment and aims to help you become more self-aware, feel calmer, less stressed, cope with difficult or unhelpful thoughts, and be kinder towards yourself. Those who come

to Mustard street will be given a Building Mindfulness journal. The journal can be sent in the mail to participants who join via zoom, before or after group depending on sign up time.

Friday, July 24

Care Overview for Families: 10:30am – 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, July 27

Men’s Connection: 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.

Tuesday, July 28

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

It takes a Village: Is a group of Caregivers who connect to provide support to each other on the issues that caregivers face when raising children. Challenges may include social/emotional, medical, developmental, education, kinship placement, etc. This group will connect through sharing experiences, resources, compassion, empowerment, and encouragement. Topic of discussion will be group lead with the support of a Credentialed Family Peer Advocate from the PEER Navigator Program

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 Living in Chautauqua county.

Youth will learn about opportunities in their communities to volunteer and the impact that volunteering and giving back has on their mental health. The facilitator will share how volunteering can increase self-confidence and can be a stepping stone for employment.

Wednesday, July 29

Building Bridges: Understanding & Supporting children in Foster and Kinship Care: 1:00pm – 2:00pm via Zoom or in person at 1 Mustard St., Rochester, Room 166.

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.

August Workshops

August Workshops

Thursday, August 6

DBT Skills: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM via Zoom or in person at 1 Mustard St., Rochester, Room 166.

Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just stuck?

Teens and Adults are welcome to come hang out in our DBT Skills Group—a safe space to learn real-life “life hacks” for handling tough emotions, stress, and relationships.

Learn ways to:

Stay calm when life gets intense

Handle anger, sadness, or anxiety without drama

Communicate better with friends and family

Make smarter choices in tricky situations

It’s not therapy—it’s a toolkit for life, with a group that’s got your back.

Tuesday, August 11

CSE/IEP/504 Support: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM via Zoom or in person at 1 Mustard St., Rochester, Room 166.

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.

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

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 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

Thursday, August 20

It Takes a Village- Caregiver Support Group: Building A Support Network 5:30-7:30pm via Zoom or in person at 75 West 6^th Street Dunkirk, NY 14048.

This workshop will discuss the importance of caregivers building their social network for themselves and for their child. Attendees will learn about groups and organizations (local, state-wide and national) to support the caregiver and the child such as Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO), Kinship Navigator, Families Together in NYS, and others.

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.

Tuesday, August 25

Back to School 5:00pm – 6:00pm in person at 1 Mustard St., Rochester, Room 166.

Back to School Supports

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

It takes a Village: Is a group of Caregivers who connect to provide support to each other on the issues that caregivers face when raising children. Challenges may include social/emotional, medical, developmental, education, kinship placement, etc. This group will connect through sharing experiences, resources, compassion, empowerment, and encouragement. Topic of discussion will be group lead with the support of a Credentialed Family Peer Advocate from the PEER Navigator Program

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 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

Thursday, August 27

Youth Advisory Board: 5:00pm – 6:00pm in person at 1 Mustard St., Rochester, Room 166.

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.