Featured
Story
Parents in Rockford attended a free legal training hosted by the Violence Prevention Coordinating Council and Illinois Legal Aid Online. The session provided families with tools to understand IEPs, 504 plans, discipline appeals, homeless enrollment rights, and fee waivers.
Demetrius Champion, founder of Champions Benchmark, shared his experience:
“I had lots of questions about the IEP and the 504, so just knowing that there is a resource through the Illinois website, I am so stoked about that. I had no idea that information was even available.”
Our
Mission
Champions Benchmark empowers youth and families through education, mentoring, counseling, and community support. Our programs strengthen families, reduce violence, and provide pathways for success.
Programs
Mentoring & Tutoring
Anger Management & Family Strengthening
Teen Pregnancy & Doula Support
Reentry & Juvenile Detention Support
Job Readiness, College Prep, and Financial Literacy
Youth & Family Support Specialist
Recent Media Highlight
WIFR: Rockford parents learn education rights through free legal training (Sept 18, 2025).
“I had lots of questions about the IEP and the 504, so just knowing that there is a resource through the Illinois website, I am so stoked about that. I had no idea that information was even available.”
— Demetrius Champion
ROCKFORD PARENTS LEARN EDUCATION RIGHTS THROUGH FREE
LEGAL TRAINING
Founded
2023.
Champions Benchmark™ is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth, families, and individuals facing systemic barriers related to housing instability, reentry, education, and workforce readiness.
Headquarters
2901 Searles Ave.
Rockford, Illinois 61101
Focus Areas
Youth Empowerment, Family Support, Violence Prevention, Education Advocacy
Founder & CEO
Demetrius Champion
