On April 20, early morning volunteers gathered at 212 West Cypress Street in Compton. Individuals of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, companies, churches along with Pastors came out for the Compton Initiative’s Bright Lights of Compton Lighthouse Event held to clean and beautify Compton.
The Bright Light event takes place every third Saturday with members of the non-profit organization transforming Compton by cleaning, painting, picking up trash, or mowing lawns or at schools, homes, and churches. The group even paints murals.
Mayor Emma Sharif, Councilwoman Lillie Darden, and State Senate candidate Laura Richardson came out to see the beautification of Compton.
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“The Compton Initiative’s Bright Lights of Compton Lighthouse Event highlighted the remarkable unity and commitment of the Compton Community,” said Sharif.
“I’m deeply inspired by our residents’ dedication to enhancing our neighborhoods and prioritizing environmental sustainability.”
Explaining more about the Compton Initiative, Ken Korver said, “I have served as president of the Compton Initiative board since it was founded in 2006. The initiative started when my church served the people of Paramount with its Looking Good community restoration program from 1988-91.
“We began looking westward to Compton with the same vision, trying to inspire the movement just do good by painting, raking leaves, cleaning in the Compton community. We agreed to commit to Compton for 40 years,” Krover said.
Todd Boquet, block coordinator for the Bright Lights of Compton, said, “I attend the Emmanel Reformed Church where Rev. Korver is the pastor, and as a church member I volunteered to help with the initiative clean up. I did that for six months before getting offered the chance to be a coordinator.
“For me personally, the work is important because I believe in the commandment of love ‘thy neighbor as yourself.’ This effort brings neighbors together in a place that sometimes sees division,” said Boquet.
Describing how he became engaged with the Compton Initiative, Pastor Ed Robinson recalled, “My church had been involved, at the time, for seven years with the Compton Initiative.
“The Compton Initiative is important for me it allows people to see the best of humanity, you have people of all ethnic backgrounds who look forward to these workdays. I was raised in Compton. When people ask can anything good come out of Compton, yes it can,” said Robinson who is the interim pastor at Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church in Watts.
Wilkensley Thervil, a volunteer from the organization Capital Group, came all the way from Santa Anna to help with the clean-up.
“I have been coming out for a while and I see firsthand how the beautification affects the people in Compton,” he said as he scraped a gate that would later be painted.
Michael Buccowich, who serves on the Compton Initiative board and works with the Capital Group, also volunteered for the clean-up.
“In 1980-1981, the city of Paramount was declared an urban disaster zone. The Looking Good Community Restoration Program provided the materials and volunteers rehabilitated the city. Several years later, Paramount was named an All-American City,” said Buccowich.
“I grew up in Paramount and wanted to help the people of Compton and wanted to help the city see change,” he said.
To donate funds or materials or volunteer with the Compton Initiative, visit justdogood.org.
