Category Archives: News

As part of Hillside’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and in the communities we serve, our agency is proudly joining the United Way’s 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge this month. As its name suggests. the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge is a three-week campaign designed to increase participants’ understanding and willful resistance to racism, bias and other social inequities. Participants receive a new email every weekday for 21 days, featuring links to recommended articles, videos, podcasts and reflections. Hillside’s Syracuse-area teams began participating in the UW Central New York region’s event on October 1, and employees in…

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If you have a 3- or 4-year-old ready to enroll in pre-kindergarten, Hillside’s Family Resource Center is offering free full-day pre-K classes at Rochester’s Peter Castle School—easy walking distance for most families in northeast 14621 neighborhoods. Classrooms are part of a family-friendly environment where a range of services are available to families to enhance the pre-K experience. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Children must be three or four years old by December 1, 2020 to be eligible. To register or learn more, call Tracy Ashline at 585-339-3200.

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All of Hillside congratulates Augustin Melendez, Chief Human Resources & Organizational Development Officer, for earning recognition as a 2020 HR Executive of the Year by the Rochester Affiliate of the National Human Resources Association (NHRA). Melendez joined Hillside in 2013 as President of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, and took on his current role four years later. He has a long history of HR leadership at other leading organizations, including Eastman Kodak Company, Paychex and the Rochester City School District. Melendez was among the honorees recognized in the Large Employer category of the annual competition from NHRA, which provides an active forum…

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Hillside is committed to the health, safety and wellness of our students and staff. As such, Hillside has engaged Administrators, Executive Directors, and agency staff in developing our opening plan that adheres to the guidelines and mandates from the Department of Health (DOH), New York State Education Department (NYSED), and Center for Disease Control (CDC). We worked together to address safety and health concerns as well as academic learning and the social emotional well-being of students and staff. The 2020-21 school year will look remarkably different from previous years. Nevertheless, Hillside maintains a commitment to learning in a welcoming and…

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Free Summer Meal Sites across New York and around the country Learning and good nutrition do not end when school lets out. The USDA Summer Food Service Program helps provide nutritious meals to children so they are better fueled with healthy food to learn and grow.  This summer, youth ages 18 years and younger can receive FREE breakfast, lunch, or snack served at community recreation centers, summer school locations and other neighborhood sites around New York State, Maryland and throughout the country. Find the location and meal times that work best for you Text Option: Text “Summer Meals” to 97779…

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Each year at this time, Hillside traditionally salutes the soon-to-graduate high school seniors whose paths to success have been supported by the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program. In regions throughout New York State and in Prince George’s County, MD, hundreds of students would cross the stage in local HW-SC Senior Celebration ceremonies featuring their friends, families and local dignitaries. COVID-19 disrupted that tradition this year, but our teams have been working to honor the class of 2020 all the same. Commemorative senior gifts and stoles – the customary sashes worn by many students during their graduation ceremonies – are being awarded…

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Inspired by the nationwide unrest concerning systemic racism and violence in America, dozens of youth receiving residential treatment services on Hillside’s Monroe Campus in Rochester came together to create a Black Lives Matter art exhibit that was presented to youth and staff on June 11. Nearly three dozen hand-drawn and mixed-media pieces were created for the event. “We wanted to create an opportunity for our youth to share their voices,” said Damaris Attanasio, a Hillside clinician who was one of several staff members to help organize the effort. Youth from the Monroe Campus toured the temporary exhibit based on a…

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Again, and again, and again. The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and far too many people of color have put yet another grim spotlight on the racial and economic inequalities that continue to define life in America. This ugly tradition can’t possibly be reversed as long as any one of us continues to sit down. Hillside stands. We stand with black and brown people in a shared sense of urgency. We stand against racism and discrimination, and against the violence that comes with them. We know that Black Lives Matter. The children and families we serve are…

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An open letter to Hillside’s nurses from Ann Cott, Hillside’s Executive Director of Health Care Services: It’s National Nurses Day and the start of National Nurses Month! The theme this year is You Make a Difference. The global COVID-19 pandemic makes it even more important this year that we support and recognize all of our nurses who work with courage and compassion and under extremely challenging circumstances. Whether it is a national health emergency or routine daily care, nurses’ vital contributions impact the health and well-being of our communities, which is why the American Nurses Association selected the theme for…

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