Proper

“The heart of the PROPER organization’s mission lies in empowering a community to utilize its own internal resources to create positive development and economic growth.”

PROPER was founded in 1994 by Apostle E. D. Mondainé as a community enhancement organization in Portland, Oregon. It has since expanded to St. Louis, Missouri as well and directly effects an estimated 7,500 people annually. Within the next 5 years PROPER will continue to expand its time-tested model of internal community involvement into other cities throughout the United States.

Mission
People Reaching Oppressed People Expecting Restoration (PROPER) seeks to improve communities through pro-active communication and greater awareness by generating open dialogues and lasting relationships between local businesses, organizations, churches and individual people.

Research the Community & Define Goals
Research includes both statistical and empirical data. We develop a demographic profile of the neighborhood based on US Census Data and any other relevant and proven statistics that are available. Then we compile a database of all businesses, churches, organizations and other groups which are active in the community. Finally we go out to these organizations and into the neighborhood itself to hear directly from the residents as to what their vision for the future of their community is. Depending upon the neighborhood we also hold public forums and discussions to collect accurate information.

We then define the goals and overall vision for that community using all the data we have collected. By doing so we are able to bring a focus to the real desires of the community – based not on external predisposition but rather internally - from people who are personally invested in the neighborhood. We do not judge between opposing views within the community, but we are used as a catalyst to help the community generate a healthy dialogue between it’s members.

The PROPER community goals are then made available to the public. Whenever necessary, we will also conduct follow up forums and research.

Create & Implement Outreach Plans
Once the research has been finalized, we develop outreach plans that clearly define how we can reach and involve the local businesses, churches, organizations and residents. Outreach plans are based around the PROPER festival – see below for more information.

During subsequent years PROPER also develops other programs as is necessary for the community but does so through outreach and involvement – thereby creating venues operated by and for the residents of the neighborhood.

The PROPER Festival
The PROPER festival operates as a fulcrum that helps unify the various parties together under a single goal. The festival is comprised of and ultimately organized by local artists, associations, businesses and invested residents. It serves to show case local talent, provides a means through which organizations can connect with residents, and helps give the overall community a sense of identity and unity.

Most PROPER festivals include: booths from local businesses, churches and organizations, free food, family entertainment, local talent and local speakers.