The Compton Initiative

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.