The Compton Initiative

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. 💙



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

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.

🔥 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. 💛

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

🌟 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.

✨ 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.

💛🖤