our mission
The Compton Initiative is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 with a commitment to restore the city of Compton by painting homes, schools, churches, and inspirational murals as well as conducting neighborhood clean-ups on quarterly workdays in partnership with individual volunteers and other organizations.
Starting with a small group of volunteers eager to show love and inspire hope, we’ve grown to thousands of caring workers of all ages and backgrounds in yellow shirts who serve across the city.
We offer community organizations, service groups and non-profits an opportunity to make a sustainable impact in Compton by instilling a sense of care and pride within each neighborhood.
We’ve poured over $1.3M of care into Compton since 2006.
Thanks to the support of partners and donors like you, we’re making a meaningful impact in the city of Compton.
We’ve beautified countless homes, churches, and schools since 2006.
Homes
Buildings
Murals
our calling
In 2005, Compton reached its highest murder rate in ten years and ranked among the most dangerous cities in the United States for its thirtieth year. The city epitomized a failed society and was known around the world for its images of gang violence, social disorder and urban blight.
Our initiative connected with community leaders and residents who were ready for change, knowing Compton will prosper when the community and neighboring cities join together to make a difference.
We are united with a clear, long-term commitment to paint homes, churches, schools, and inspirational murals across the city at no cost to property owners.
our impact
From monthly Bright Lights Of Compton (BLOC) events to quarterly Compton Initiative workdays, we organize residents and clean up neighborhoods, paint homes, schools, churches and murals, and remove debris and graffiti throughout the city.
To date, we’ve beautified over 799 homes, 465 buildings at 46 schools, 243 murals, 90 neighborhoods with trash removal, 59 church buildings, 68 public spaces, and 2 medical clinics.
With each beautification event, residents see their neighborhoods and homes go from dull to vibrant, and students enjoy their campuses being refreshed for a new sense of pride.
community testimonials
frequently asked questions
What is the compton initiative?
With a 40-year mission that began in 2006, the Compton Initiative seeks to restore the City of Compton by painting homes, schools, churches, and inspirational murals as well as conducting neighborhood clean-ups on quarterly workdays in partnership with individual volunteers and other organizations.
Do you build homes?
Rather than build homes, we organize volunteers to do exterior beautification projects for existing homes, schools and churches.
How are homes chosen for renovation?
We select homes after reviewing homeowner requests submitted to: JustDoGood.org/submit-a-project
Who manages the compton initiative?
The Compton Initiative is governed by a board of directors who oversee our charitable mission and the stewardship of donated funds to manage resources for beautification days, a fully-stocked warehouse and a small paid staff.
How often do beautification events occur?
We coordinate beautification events on the third Saturday of every January, April, July, and October.
How much does it cost to participate?
While volunteers are free to participate, we request a $25 donation from each volunteer who can help us with funding. Since we offer property renovation at no cost to homeowners, churches and schools, raising funds is a continual need. Each work day requires $72,000 to pay for paint, supplies and equipment, as well as breakfast and lunch for each volunteer.
How much time is involved for volunteers for each beautification event?
We arrive to our worksites at 7:30am, begin work by 8:00am, and then wrap up at 11:00am with pizza and happy, tired volunteers.
our team
Ken Korver
President
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Rafer Owens
Vice President
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Ed Robinson
Vice President
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Ruth Zymkowitz
Business Manager
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Mike DeMaster
Assistant Treasurer
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Michael Buccowich
Clerk
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Rick Jones
Director
“I love seeing the love and energy of thousands of determined volunteers, striving together…”
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Todd Boquet
Program Coordinator
“The thing that I appreciate most about participating in a workday is the opportunity to work and serve alongside my neighbors…”
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Jacob Jones
Program Coordinator
“I am inspired by the extraordinary unity, hope, and joy demonstrated by amazing people…”
Karen Harris
BLOC Coordinator
“What I like most about workdays is people of all ages coming together for one goal – to make Compton better…”
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