Hillside Family of Agencies

Often, youth in foster care may be scared and unsure of what to expect – especially when they’ve experienced multiple moves. The young man known as J knew those feelings all too well, but once he was placed with Nicole Baker, the two felt a connection that eventually led to his adoption. Now, at 20 years old, J offers a few words of advice to foster youth: you will be loved and well supported with Hillside and your foster parents. Learn more about becoming a Hillside foster parent at https://lnkd.in/grwSvQaq.

Later today, our team in Binghamton will honor that district's high school seniors for their commitment to Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection — and the upcoming graduations that will mark a turning point in their lives! Today's Binghamton event is the last in this year's series of HWSC Senior Celebrations that have recognized scholars in Greater Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Prince George's County, Maryland. We congratulate each and every senior for their incredible achievements — and for their amazing future successes yet to come.

We're teed up and ready to go! Hillside's 2026 Charity Golf Tournament is set for Monday, June 8, and our golfers, sponsors and friends are looking forward to a great day at Monroe Golf Club. (Even the weather forecast is optimistic — fingers crossed!) We're so grateful to EMCOR Services Betlem, Upstate Pharmacy Ltd., JK Executive Strategies, LLC, fairlife, LLC and our other amazing sponsors for their commitment to this annual fundraising event. Community support keeps #HillsideStrong!

Congratulations to Hillside’s Lori Lippa, who's being honored today at a Rochester Business Journal ceremony honoring Financial Leaders! Lori makes a critical contribution every day as Hillside's Manager of Budget and Financial Analytics, and we can’t thank her enough for her commitment to our agency's mission of service for youth, adults and families. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Lori! #RBJEvents

Each year, the Hillside community gathers to celebrate the staff, families and partners who give so much to our mission and those we serve. Tonight's Annual Meeting featured a tribute to this year's winner of the Hillside Chair's Award, Kathy Holmes, our Director of Family-Driven Care. Take a look at the video produced for tonight's event, and please join us in congratulating Kathy on her well-deserved honor! https://lnkd.in/gkJmHCDi

Today, we celebrated our student athletes from Hillside’s five schools at the Second Annual Sports Banquet on our Monroe Campus! Each athlete received medals and certificates to honor their sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth. Their fantastic coaches were shown appreciation with special thank-you gifts. We can’t wait for the fun and excitement of next season. Congratulations to everyone!

Pride Month is a celebration that reminds us of the importance of inclusion and acceptance within our communities. We're excited to participate in local Pride Parades in Buffalo (June 7), Syracuse (June 13) and Rochester (July 18). We hope to see you there! #hillsidepride

Foster parents Jillian Sylvis and her husband Aaron already knew 5-year-old “K” before the child came to live with their family. In fact, that familiarity—and the open hearts of the Sylvises—helped make the placement a success. In May 2023, Jillian and Aaron first met “K” when her cousin, the Sylvises’ babysitter, would occasionally bring her to their home. They began to bond with the child trough those initial visits, and when “K’s” changing family circumstances required a new foster care placement, “I offered to have her come and live with us … our lives were changed forever,” Jillian said. This type of placement, known as Kinship Care, is a particular area of focus in Hillside’s array of foster parenting services. Kinship Care involves securing placements for children in need with caring adults who may know the child through a wide range of pre-existing relationships – this can include a biological relative; a family friend; or another adult who knows, cares for and is trusted by the child. While every foster family plays a critical role, these pre-existing connections, when available, can play a significant role in helping the child feel comfortable in their new home environment. The Sylvises understand that “K’s” placement with them is technically temporary—all involved are still hoping for the child to be reunited with her biological family in the future—but she’s still a much-loved member of this happy blended family. Learn more about becoming a Hillside foster parent at https://lnkd.in/grwSvQaq.

Hillside’s Finger Lakes Campus came alive with sparkle, music, and unforgettable memories as youth, families, and staff gathered to celebrate this year’s Annual Prom. This year’s theme was Disco, and the campus truly embraced the energy, color, and fun of the era. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our generous community partners who helped make the evening so meaningful. Smiley’s Florist donated beautiful corsages and boutonnieres, while Big D’s Limo donated two hours of limo service. The 2026 Disco Prom was a night to remember.

The annual Hillside Track Meet brought youth from all our residential sites (including young people from Bath, Auburn, and Chili, NY) to the Monroe Campus in Rochester for a day of track-and-field events! Youth showcased their dedication and sportsmanship, creating unforgettable memories and connection #hillsidestrong