The Compton Initiative

Cities don’t change because people complain about them. Cities change because people love them enough to serve them.

This July, The Compton Initiative had the privilege of leading 60 interns from the Compton Leaders Internship Program and Metro CDC in three weeks of community service throughout Compton.

Together we cleaned the Compton Creek Bike & Horse Trail, prepared two homes and Christ Lutheran Church for upcoming paint projects, and finished by serving alongside the incredible crew at the Compton Public Works Department, cleaning the Public Works yard and beneath the Rosecrans Bridge along Alameda.

Watching city employees, nonprofit leaders, and the next generation work shoulder to shoulder was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we unite around serving our community.

Throughout these weeks, I reminded our young leaders of Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” There is no insignificant work when it’s done for God’s glory—even picking up trash can become an act of worship.

A huge thank you to every intern who showed up ready to serve, to Bob Combs, Metro CDC, and the Compton Leaders Internship Program, and to the Compton Public Works Department for welcoming us as partners. It was truly an honor to labor alongside you.

Most of all, we give all glory to Jesus Christ, who gives us our purpose and reminds us that loving our neighbor begins with serving them.

This is how communities are transformed—one act of service at a time.

200+ volunteers. Three projects. One community. 💛🖤

What an incredible Saturday in Compton!

More than 200 volunteers came together for The Compton Initiative's 76th volunteer event, proving once again what can happen when people choose to serve their neighbors.

Together, we:
🎨 Painted Christ Lutheran Church (530 W. Alondra Blvd)
🏡 Painted two homes
📍 All three projects were proudly completed in Compton's District 3.

The summer heat was no joke, but our volunteers never let it slow them down. They worked hard, served with joy, and reminded us that a community is transformed one act of kindness at a time.

To every volunteer, homeowner, church member, donor, team leader, and partner—thank you. Because of you, Compton is becoming a little brighter, a little cleaner, and a little more hopeful.

📸 Check out the photos and help us celebrate the amazing people who made this day possible!

💬 If you volunteered, tell us your favorite moment from the day in the comments!
❤️ If you believe in building stronger communities through service, give this post a Like and Share it so others can see the good happening in Compton.

Just Do Good.

There are people who serve because they’re asked… and then there are people who serve because Christ has changed their hearts.

Today, I want to recognize two of those people: Isaiah and Connie Gallegos, the owners of Pit BBQ.

Their business is built on the truth of 1 Corinthians 10:31:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Those aren’t just words on their business—they’re the way they live.

Over the years, Isaiah and Connie have faithfully partnered with The Compton Initiative in countless ways. They’ve fired up the smoker and blessed hundreds of our volunteers with incredible barbecue, often sacrificing their own time and resources simply to serve others. But what many people don’t see is that after the food is served, they’re out on the worksites with paintbrushes in hand—painting homes, churches, parks, and serving shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone else.

They never seek recognition. They simply show up.

To me, Isaiah and Connie are more than community partners. They are my brother and sister in Christ. They are humble servants who quietly reflect the love of Jesus through faithful obedience.

If you’re looking for catering for your next event, family gathering, church function, or corporate luncheon, I can’t recommend Pit BBQ enough. You’ll receive amazing food, but more importantly, you’ll be supporting a family that continually pours back into our community and lives out their faith with integrity.

Isaiah and Connie, thank you for reminding us that ministry isn’t confined to a church building. Sometimes it looks like a smoker full of barbecue, a paintbrush in your hand, and a heart willing to serve wherever God calls.

We love you both, and we are deeply grateful for the countless ways you’ve invested in the people of Compton.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” — Colossians 3:23

There are moments in this work that remind me exactly why The Compton Initiative exists.

This week, I had the privilege of serving alongside nearly 40 volunteers from Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa, who returned once again to love and serve the people of Compton. Together, we completed several projects throughout the city, but one in particular will stay with me for a long time.

Ms. Annie is 101 years old.

She has spent generations building a legacy in Compton and is surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When our team arrived at her home, we weren’t treated like volunteers—we were welcomed like family.

Over the course of the week, we painted her home, built a wheelchair-accessible ramp to her front door, and beautified the garden beds in her front yard. Throughout the project, Ms. Annie sat nearby with the biggest smile on her face. Watching her joy as dozens of believers worked together to bless her home was something I won’t soon forget.

As a resident of Compton raising my own family here, moments like these mean so much. We often hear stories about what’s wrong with our communities, but this week was a reminder of what is right. It was a reminder that love still shows up. That churches still answer the call to serve. That strangers can become family. And that God’s people can cross state lines, cultural differences, and generations to demonstrate the love of Christ in a tangible way.

To our brothers and sisters from Pella: thank you for sacrificing your time, your comfort, and your resources to serve our city. Your work left more than a freshly painted home and a new ramp—it left encouragement, dignity, and hope.

And to Ms. Annie and her family: thank you for reminding all of us what a blessing it is to love our neighbors.

This is what the Church looks like.

This is what community looks like.

This is what happens when faith becomes action.

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” — Philippians 2:4

This Father's Day Month, We Celebrate Men Who Lead By Example!

One of the greatest gifts a father can give his children is not simply advice—it is an example. Children learn what matters by watching the people who go before them. They learn compassion by seeing compassion. They learn service by seeing service. They learn love for their community by watching someone invest in it.

That is why we are honored to welcome back Faith Christian Reformed Church of Pella, Iowa to Compton this June.

More than 40 high school juniors and graduating seniors will spend their week serving alongside residents, churches, and volunteers throughout our city. Together, we will paint two homes, build a fence for an elderly veteran, beautify a backyard, assist a local church, and work to be a blessing to the people of Compton.

In a world that desperately needs positive role models, these young men and women are demonstrating what it means to serve others before themselves.

As we celebrate Father's Day, we also want to encourage fathers, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, coaches, pastors, and men throughout Compton to continue leading by example. A cleaner, safer, and stronger city begins when people step forward and take ownership of their neighborhoods, their blocks, and their communities.

💡 Join us for our next Bright Lights Of Compton event on Saturday, June 20th!

We're inviting residents across Compton to spend part of their day picking up litter around their homes, streets, parks, and neighborhoods. Gather your family, invite your children, and show the next generation what community pride looks like.

📸 After your cleanup, send your photos and videos to:
justdogood.org/share

Let's fill Compton with stories of neighbors helping neighbors and fathers leading the way.

Together, we can make a difference—one block, one family, and one act of service at a time.

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. 💙



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