Members of Building Healthy Community's youth engagement team scrubbed buildings near Roosevelt High School trying to rid the area of graffiti.
Other buildings in the area got a fresh coat of paint.
Volunteers say they wanted to do something in the neighborhood because the school lost a student in a tagging related death.
They're also trying to set an example for other youth.
"We can do something about it. We can make a positive difference as long as we stick together, we can make a huge impact," Pedro Gomez said.
"We want to make a good impression on the community and the school and show the community that we live in a decent community. This is not a ghetto neighborhood, we're just as civilized as any other neighborhood," Maricela Hernandez said.
The building healthy community's initiative is funded by the California endowment.
It's investing millions of dollars in neighborhoods around Edison, Roosevelt, and Sunnyside high schools to make life better for youth.
