URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — On Friday, Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana transformed into a hub full of resources and information for families as part of Scott Bennett Family Resources Day.

This event, held in memory of the late state senator, provided families with opportunities to connect with key support organizations and services, including Crisis Nursery, Rosecrance Behavioral Health, and Family Advocacy. Legal assistance was available as well, with representatives from the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office and Circuit Clerk in attendance.

State Senator Paul Faraci, who took over Bennett’s position in the Illinois General Assembly, expressed that the event organizers aim to continue the legacy of Bennett through their efforts each year.

“Our goal is to ensure that people have access to resources they might not have known about,” Faraci stated. “This effort is precisely what we want to sustain to honor Scott Bennett’s legacy and the impactful work he did for our community.”

Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz noted that the event benefits not only the community but also the participating organizations. She observed these advantages when the initiative first launched.

“We’ve organized it in a U-shape, enabling the organizations to face each other, fostering communication and friendship as they exchange information and collaborate,” Rietz explained.

The event began with an emphasis on child support services three years ago. Now, it’s grown to include mental health support, housing utility assistance and more.