CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A Champaign apartment complex that saw a violent first half of the year got a makeover to help brighten its future.

On Saturday, community members met at the Oakwood Trace apartments and focused on cooking, cleaning and having fun with neighbors.

Marlon Mitchell, the executive director of FirstFollowers, believes that by tidying up the property for tenants, they can uplift the community’s spirits as they work to recover from two shootings that happened earlier this year.

“We realized that it was essential for the community to unite and lend a helping hand,” Mitchell remarked. “We focused on removing debris and trash around the area, and also did some landscaping work.”

Oakwood Trace residents came together on Saturday to demonstrate that a brighter future is possible after the two shootings that shook the complex. One incident happened in March, resulting in the death of 31-year-old Anthony Miller, and another occurred last month, injuring a teenager.

“Just to see us all come together,” Mitchell said. “And wrap our hands around an issue which is prevalent in our community.” 

He said his organization was already revamping units in the buildings before last month’s shooting.

“So far, we’ve managed to refurbish about six units,” Mitchell explained. “There is another contract underway, and I’ve been inspecting more units in need of renovation. Today, we checked out one unit in particular.”

Mitchell then realized the community’s potential to do even more for its residents. On Saturday, in addition to cleaning up the area, they offered games for children, provided food, and distributed school supplies. He noted that this effort also benefits his re-entry program, where former prisoners can apply their newfound skills.

“We have several guys eager to learn and work. They gain new skills by transforming these units, seeing the before and after. It boosts their confidence to contribute to such an initiative,” Mitchell remarked.

FirstFollowers is part of the H3 Coalition, a group of stakeholders who volunteered last weekend. This includes the Champaign County Housing Authority, CU Reparations and the Champaign Police Department. But for Mitchell, it’s also a personal matter.

“I care about my community… I grew up on the north end of, Champaign. And so I’m familiar with the community,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said they’re not stopping with Oakwood Trace. While they plan on renovating more apartments there, they want to clean up three or four more properties in the area while the weather is nice.