Home Page - The Strong Families and Communities Training Center

Building Stronger Communities
Empowering Families and Youth

View Upcoming Trainings
Building Stronger Communities
Empowering Families and Youth
Building Stronger Communities
Empowering Families and Youth

View Upcoming Trainings
Building Stronger Communities
Empowering Families and Youth

Partnering with the New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, The Foundling was proud to launch our Strong Families and Communities Training Center in October of 2020. The three core areas The SFC Training Center focuses on include: trainings and technical assistance for youth and family peer advocates, implementation support for evidence-based practices, and coalition building and community engagement. These areas equip, support, and train front-line social service workers and community members with best practice techniques and approaches to make an impact in the communities they serve across The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.

Our trainings with youth and family peer advocates allow for open discussion and provide a forum where questions can be answered on a diverse set of topics. No matter which service is offered by The SFC Training Center, community voices shape what we offer. We incorporate these voices through listening sessions and community feedback with trained community organizers.

Training and Technical Assistance for Youth and Family Peer Advocates

The Center’s expert Peer Advisors use their lived experiences to curate trainings and support diverse perspectives.
Trainings for the FYPS Youth and Family Peer Advocates and the Social Service workforce provide organizations with professional development opportunities and spaces to learn new trends and systems in NYC.
We provide technical assistance to FYPS Advocates to support their needs and bridge gaps of understanding.

Implementation support for evidence-based practices

Implementation Science Experts to help other child and family-serving organizations to implement these Evidence-Based Practices
Expand the scope and quality of the care to those that need it most
The Center’s approach to implementation support is collaborative, inclusive, and interactive

Coalition Building and Community Engagement

The Center’s Community Organizers uses an evidence-based community-organizing approach to make sure the work is impactful to support the community.
The Center’s use of the Communities that Care (CTC) model, elevates voices from all aspects of the community including parents, stakeholders, etc.
The Center Staff will take part in community events and meetings throughout the City to connect with community members and build out coalitions.

Family & Youth Peer Support Trainings

Check back for new trainings or join our mailing list to get notified when trainings are available.

Free

11/20/25: Emotional Abuse Awareness

Date:11/20/2025

Enroll Now

Free

12/4/25: Natural Supports

Date:12/04/2025

Enroll Now

Open Trainings

Check back for new trainings or join our mailing list to get notified when trainings are available.

Free

11/20/25: Emotional Abuse Awareness

Date:11/20/2025

Enroll Now

Free

12/4/25: Natural Supports

Date:12/04/2025

Enroll Now

View all Peer Advocate Trainings View all Parent Support Trainings

“It is our expectation that the trainings can create spaces for us and program participants to have authentic conversations and obtain tools that can be used in their everyday work lives.”

Shainek E.Youth Peer Advisor for The Strong Families and Communities Training Center

“All kids have inside them the possibility to be great. It’s our job to create a reality where children can thrive.”

Jidel De LeonCTC Coordinator

“As a team we empower and support each other.”

Corey BetancourtDirector of Advisory Programs

“The SFC is more than just a training center with advisors” they are the advocates for the advocates”

Cathy KentYouth Peer Advocate

“I want to say I appreciate you so much and to know that there is a program out there that has people who advocate for us (Peer Advocates) is amazing. I enjoyed meeting you at the conference and I really wish there were more advisors in this workforce shout out to the SFC Center for making it happen to spread love and positivity!”

Debra Hamilton

“I would like to thank Ms. Dianna Jimenez for all of her time, help, patience, professional experience, knowledge, and technical skill in guiding me to launch my zoom Circle of Security Parenting group. My group includes clients from both New Ground and Emerson Residence at The Institute for Community Living in Brooklyn, NY. Ms. Jimenez helped me to become ready to facilitate my zoom Circle of Security Parenting group with greater confidence, knowledge, and insight. My clients are enjoying participating in this group, and they are growing in their parenting skills.”

Jocelyn Launer

“My goal as a Family Peer Advisor is to make sure I’m utilizing the knowledge I have gained to be able to help Family Peer Advocates through our trainings to develop skills and strategies to empower and support other families”.

Erika RuizFamily Peer Advisor

“Here at the SFC center, we demonstrate our passion for advocacy through our trainings and community engagement. Advocacy at this current capacity is about empowerment, and showing people that they already have the skills within them to promote change. I have the privilege of serving as the Advisor Supervisor to the Peer Advisors, and with this, I am able build relationships, aid in creating change, and promote healthy dialogue on various topics we encounter as an advocate/community.”

Olubukola AdebayoSupervisor for Advisory Programs

“As a three-tiered community based program, the SFC Center strives to fill the gap of support and resources in the areas of New York city that need it most”

Jorwell PerezDirector of Communication and Outreach

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