The Compton Initiative

04/21/2026

Compton, this is what unity looks like!!

This Saturday wasn’t just another event—it was a movement of people choosing to show up, serve, and stand together for something bigger than themselves.
🔥 What we witnessed:
• Hundreds of volunteers showing up to serve
• Residents stepping up—not waiting, but leading
• Churches, businesses, local government, and community members serving side by side
• Barriers broken—across denominations, cultures, and backgrounds
• Real love in action—through service, sacrifice, and unity

🙏 We give special honor to our faithful partners who continue to lock arms with us and lead the way:
• Pastor Hector and Pastor Johnny – Victory Outreach Compton
• Pastor Tim Chambers & Ricky Bible – Faith Community Church
• Kush Capers & Dr. Sheridan Ross – Compton Community Garden
• Pastor Arnoldo Escobar & Mr. Roger Leister – City Church of Compton
• Karen Harris – BLOC & Faith Inspirational Church
• Saun Hough – Crossroads UMC of Compton
• Nadine White – Pentecostals of Compton
• Aisha Woods – Margie L. Woods Foundation @ Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery
• Best Buy Volunteers of Compton
• Denise Moore – Living Water Christian Fellowship
• Isana Achernar
• Mel Depaz
• Martin Vargas – SoCal Junk Men
• Compton Public Works
• Shanice McKinley-Reed
• Emmanuel Reformed Church

💪 And to the residents of Compton—you are the heartbeat of this city. This only works because YOU are stepping in and taking ownership.

📜 In 2006, The Compton Initiative made a 40-year commitment to clean and beautify this city. 🎉 In 2026, we celebrate 20 years of keeping that promise.

This is what happens when Compton rises—together.

We’re not done. We’re just getting started.

04/10/2026

There’s something powerful about watching transformation happen right before your eyes… not just in spaces, but in people. 🎨

Today, we want to give a special shoutout to Mel Depaz, a proud Compton native whose incredible talent has helped bring multiple murals to life alongside The Compton Initiative.

Mel, your art speaks volumes—but it’s your heart that truly sets you apart. Thank you for not only sharing your gift, but for pouring into our youth volunteers… teaching them, leading them, and showing them what’s possible when creativity meets purpose. You’re not just painting walls—you’re shaping minds, building confidence, and leaving a lasting impact on the next generation.

At The Compton Initiative, our mission has always been about uplifting our city through service, unity, and opportunity—and your work aligns with that vision in such a beautiful way. Every brushstroke you lay down adds color, hope, and pride to our community.

Compton is better because of people like you.

Thank you for helping us turn vision into reality… one mural at a time. 💙



https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWeyEKKJkAV/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

02/05/2026

Join us for a Black History Month Day of Service as we come together to honor history and serve our community.!

🗓 Saturday, February 21

⏰ 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

📍 Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, Carson

Volunteers will assist with beautifying the grounds through trimming, edging, and general cleanup. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided by The Compton Initiative for approximately 50 volunteers.

Hosted by the Margie L. Woods Foundation, in partnership with The Compton Initiative – Bright Lights of Compton and Capital Group (Capital Associates of African Descent).

Come serve, connect, and help preserve a sacred community space. All are welcome.

12/04/2025

12/04/2025

THE COMPTON INITIATIVE — 2025 YEAR IN REVIEW

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a year filled with service, unity, and transformation here in the city we love. This year reminded us once again that when people show up with willing hearts and working hands, hope becomes visible.

Over the past eleven months, The Compton Initiative hosted 10 volunteer events, mobilizing more than a thousand volunteers across 25 work sites—from homes and schools to parks, churches, and neighborhoods. Together, we:

✅ Painted 9 homes, 1 church, 1 mural, and 225 feet of wrought iron fencing
✅ Beautified and maintained 2 schools, 2 cemeteries, and 3 parks
✅ Cleared a long-neglected vacant lot, removing decades of illegal dumping and preparing it for a future community garden
✅ Removed an estimated 70 tons of debris, litter, and illegal dumping from all four districts of Compton

These aren’t just statistics—they represent countless hours of labor, dedication, and heart from volunteers, churches, organizations, and partners who chose to say YES to being part of the solution.

We are especially grateful for the ongoing collaboration with Public Works, Code Enforcement, and Parks & Recreation, whose partnership continues to demonstrate what true community–city teamwork looks like.

And we honor Victory Outreach Compton, Faith Inspirational Church, and Faith Community Church for showing up month after month to serve faithfully in their neighborhoods. Your consistency is a light to this city.

THANK YOU

To every volunteer who grabbed a paintbrush, lifted a shovel, tied trash bags, prayed for us, donated resources, or simply showed up—you are the heartbeat of this mission.
Because of you, Compton is cleaner, brighter, safer, and more hopeful.

We are humbled. We are grateful. And we’re just getting started.

Thank you, Compton family.
2026, we’re coming!!!

🌟 Want to invest in this movement of hope and restoration?

Your gift helps us continue this work—one neighborhood, one family, one act of love at a time.

👉 Donate here: https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/37075

Every contribution makes a real impact. Let’s keep going—together.

10/23/2025

🔥 REVIVAL IN COMPTON! – Fall Volunteer Day Recap 🔥

This past Saturday, the Spirit of God MOVED through the streets of Compton! 🙌

Over 150 volunteers — families, students, church members, and local residents — came together with one heart, one mission, and one message: LOVE YOUR CITY. SERVE YOUR NEIGHBOR. JUST DO GOOD. ❤️

Together, we removed an estimated 20 TONS of illegal dumping, litter, and green waste from our streets! We revived the “Just Do Good” mural on Alameda St., painted a home on N. Poplar, repaired a fence in Sunny Cove, and continued transforming a once-vacant lot at Faith Community Church into what will soon bloom as a community garden — a symbol of new life and restoration in the heart of Compton! 🌱

💛 Volunteer Groups Who Served Boldly:
-Vintage Church LA
-Gateway Leadership Academy
-Nehemiah Project
-Gamma Zeta Alpha, UCLA Volunteer Center
-Isana Achernar Academy
-Faith Community Church
-Faith Inspirational Church
-City Church Compton
-Emmanuel Reformed Church …
+and the Compton residents who rolled up their sleeves to bless the city they call home! 💪

🙏 Special Thanks To:
• Councilwoman Lillie P. Darden (District 4) – for donating two 40-yard dumpsters and championing our community garden vision.
• Councilman Spicer (District 2) – for supporting our Alameda cleanup with resources and encouragement.
• Compton Public Works Department – for showing up with trucks, loaders, and willing hearts.
• Republic Services - For continuously partnering with The Compton Initiative in our efforts to restore cleanliness to the City Of Compton!!
• Martin Vargas – local business owner of SoCal Junk Men Junk Removal Service, whose faith and service continue to shine. Socal Junkmen - South bay Junk removal ✨ https://socal-junkmen.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23048704771&gbraid=0AAAABBQpHRnUHK0WShrVhrU55cBmO7BAq&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2KujvcC7kAMVRwitBh3aNh1ZEAAYASAAEgKGAPD_BwE&fbclid=IwVERDUANnnZdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgoCAv3-ktmOBquoHVj9vQ0NlbshwZBUxfRnFflAGFe0STn6fDHCFOqOIIhH_aem_VqzbfcVp82pnlBuECs74yg

What happened this weekend was more than a cleanup — it was a rebuilding. A move of God echoing the spirit of Nehemiah 2:18:

“They replied, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for this good work.”

Just as Nehemiah led the people of Jerusalem to rebuild their city walls, we are rebuilding hope, unity, and beauty in Compton — one block, one brushstroke, one act of love at a time.

This is revival through service. This is faith in action. This is The Compton Initiative. If your heart is stirred… JOIN US. If you want to make a difference… STAND WITH US. If you believe God can transform cities through love… SUPPORT US.

👉 Visit www.justdogood.org to donate, volunteer, or learn more. Let’s keep shining the light of Christ and transforming Compton — one act of love at a time. 💛

10/18/2025

Today is a sacred day of service. As the sun rises over Compton, we’re reminded that we are not just painting walls or cleaning streets—we are declaring the glory of God in a city He deeply loves.

For nearly 20 years, The Compton Initiative has been a living testimony of Emmanuel Reformed Church’s heart for the Gospel—a ministry of restoration, reconciliation, and radical love. And now, as our church family celebrates 100 years of ministry, we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us—faithful servants who believed that following Jesus means showing up, rolling up our sleeves, and shining His light in dark places.

In Philippians 3, Paul reminds us to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. That’s what today is about—pressing on! Not looking back at what’s behind, but pressing forward together with renewed purpose, joy, and gratitude.

And in Isaiah 60, God says: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” As you lead your teams today, remember—you are carriers of that light. Every smile, every brushstroke, every act of kindness is a reflection of His Kingdom breaking through.

To our longtime leaders who have labored faithfully for years—you are the backbone of this movement. To those serving for the first time—welcome to something eternal. And to all of you, thank you for letting me serve alongside you.

May the Lord fill you with strength, patience, and joy as you lead with humility and courage today. Let’s make this day one that heaven rejoices over, as Compton sees a glimpse of what God’s Kingdom looks like on earth.

Let’s press on, arise, and shine—for the glory of the Lord has risen upon us!

With deep gratitude and faith,
Todd Boquet
Director, The Compton Initiative

10/09/2025

🌟 Volunteer Highlight: Mr. Ricky Bible — A Bright Light in Compton 🌟

Meet Mr. Ricky Bible from Faith Community Church in Compton — a true example of what it means to be “the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” Ricky’s heart to serve shines through every project he leads. He is stepping up once again, as he’s done in the past, to lead volunteers on October 18th — continuing his mission to clean and beautify his community, and proving that faith in action can change a city!

His zeal to serve and his commitment to leading by example remind us all that a bright light cannot be hidden.

✨ Let’s follow Ricky’s lead, Compton!
When we each take responsibility for our block, our street, and our neighborhood — together, we make Compton shine.

08/18/2025

✨ This past Saturday, we witnessed the beauty of unity—both in spirit and in action—right here in Compton! ✨

A huge thank you goes out to:

🙏 Bettie Gillyard Griggs and the Sunny Cove Block Club – for hosting this event, welcoming volunteers into your neighborhood, and championing the “just do good” model.

🚛 The City of Compton Public Works Department – for joining volunteers bright and early in the citywide cleaning and beautification efforts!

🏍️ Hub City Riders M.C. – for showing up in force and assisting with trash removal and street clean-up for two months in a row!

🎨 Councilman Jonathan Bowers – for joining volunteers in painting over graffiti and for your continued support of the Clean and Beautify movement in District 3.

🌳 Karen Harris and Faith Inspirational Church – for your work in and around Wilson Park, and for showing up month after month on the third Saturday to lead by example.

💪 Pastor Arnoldo Escobar of City Church of Compton and Compton Proud Studios – for joining Roger and Linda in their bulk item pick-up efforts in District 2!

🏡 Rene’ and Gabriella Campos – for welcoming volunteers to your home over the past few months. Serving you has been a joy!

🤝 Sione Laufou and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Long Beach – for years of faithful partnership, humble service, and for helping paint the Campos home this weekend.

♻️ Republic Services – for your ongoing partnership in our common mission to clean the city.

🍕 Pizza King – for fueling our volunteer workers with food and love.

🛠️ Compton Initiative Team Leaders Michael Quinn, John Cobian, and Matthew Cobian – for your dedication, servant hearts, and tireless work in leading these efforts.

🔥 Friends, what we are witnessing is nothing short of extraordinary. Different churches, neighbors, city leaders, community groups, and organizations—coming together on a united front to love and serve Compton. This kind of unity is rare. You don’t often hear of it, and you don’t often see it. But here, it’s happening.

And it’s beautiful. ✨ Even more powerful is being part of it. Shoulder to shoulder, we are proving that change is possible when people put aside differences and move together with one heart, one purpose, and one vision.

Now is the time. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to get involved, to make a difference, to be part of something bigger than yourself—this is your invitation. Join the movement. Let’s continue to clean, beautify, and transform Compton—together.

💛🖤

08/13/2025

🌟 Compton, We Have a Moment 🌟

Over the past year, we’ve been watching something incredible happen in our city! Pastors, faith leaders, and neighbors are coming together—not just to talk, but to work!

Through the Pastors For Compton coalition, churches across the city are stepping up to lead beautification projects right where they serve. Mayor Emma Sharif’s Clean and Beautify Compton initiative is building momentum. And together, we’re discovering that when we unite around something tangible—when we roll up our sleeves and do the work—hope begins to take root in places it once seemed impossible.

Seth Kaplan, in his book Fragile Neighborhoods, writes that the strength of a city is found in the strength of its relationships, not just its resources. That’s exactly what we’re seeing: neighbors building trust, churches building bridges, and leaders building a shared vision for the future of Compton.

But this is just the beginning.
Imagine what could happen if every pastor in Compton united around Clean and Beautify—if every congregation took ownership of a block, a street, or a park!

This is our opportunity! It’s not about one organization, one church, or one leader—it’s about all of us, together!

Let’s unite! Let’s work! Let’s build something beautiful!

If you’re a pastor or faith leader in Compton, we invite you to join the Pastors For Compton movement. Reach out, pick up a shovel, paintbrush, or trash bag, and let’s show our city what unity looks like in action.

📅 Our next Clean and Beautify event is coming soon—message us at [email protected] to get involved!

What if . . . ?. . . we united to achieve one goal together: no trash in Compton.And "What If . . ." became . . .

05/16/2025

🌎💛 Join Our Bright Lights Family This Saturday!

This Saturday, May 17th, let's come together as one big family for our BLOC Lighthouse! We'll be cleaning and beautifying the home of a beloved neighbor and veteran, Mr. White.

📍 Location: 1412 W. Caldwell St., Compton, CA, 90220
🕒 Time: 8:45 AM – 11:30 AM

More than just a cleanup—it's about community, connection, and celebrating the spirit of family right here in Compton. Bring your friends, your kids, and your neighbors—everyone's welcome!

🫶 Let's make a difference, one house at a time.

🌎💛 ¡Únete a nuestra familia de Bright Lights este sábado!

Este sábado 17 de mayo, ¡unámonos como una gran familia para nuestro Faro BLOC! Estaremos limpiando y embelleciendo la casa de un querido vecino y veterano, el Sr. White.

📍 Ubicación: 1412 W. Caldwell St., Compton, CA, 90220
🕒 Hora: 8:45 AM - 11:30 AM

Más que una limpieza - se trata de la comunidad, la conexión, y la celebración del espíritu de la familia aquí en Compton. Trae a tus amigos, tus hijos y tus vecinos, ¡todos son bienvenidos!

Hagamos la diferencia, una casa a la vez.



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