GRAVELBOURG BON AMI, INC.
Driving Into The Future
The acquisition of a vehicle for our Agency is not only a logistical improvement; it is a significant step towards enhancing accessibility and mobility for our community. With your support, we can ensure that individuals have the transportation they need to participate fully in programs, activities and access to medical care.
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Financial Wellbeing
We are funded by the Ministry of Social Services and Saskatchewan Housing Authority. These funders offer us financial stability and the opportunity to provide quality care to our participants. We are extremely grateful to our funders for their support.
In the budget received from the Government of Saskatchewan, we are funded for operating costs and wages. As you can see in the diagram below, over 90% of our funding is allocated specifically to wages and benefits for our employees.
In our operating budget, we are responsible for budgeting the remaining 9.3% to cover the cost of office supplies, utilities, education, food supplies, programming supplies and more. With a strict budget, and our need to prioritize important monthly operating costs, we have zero funding allocated to cover the purchase of an Agency vehicle.
Currently, we allocate funds for mileage reimbursement, which has become a significant expense to both the Agency and the participants at the Agency. By transitioning to an Agency vehicle, we will reallocate these funds to cover the expenses associated with the vehicle, including gas and maintenance.
Notably, the cost of gas for a vehicle is significantly less than what we currently pay for mileage. This shift not only allows us to streamline our budgeting, but also ensures a reliable means of transportation. A vehicle will enable us to operate more efficiently, reduce wear and tear on personal vehicles, and ultimately lead to cost savings in the long run.
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Impact
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All of the participants at our Agency find themselves attending appointments in the larger cities in the area (Moose Jaw, Assiniboia, Regina and Saskatoon). When participants attend an appointment out-of-town, they are spending money on mileage. When a participant goes to Regina for an appointment, they pay $223.00 and they are only reimbursed $175. This means that each time they go to Regina for an appointment, they are spending $48.00 out-of-pocket.
Many participants are funded by Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability. This fund ensures that participants are able to pay for their rent and utilities, but often does not allow for excess funds. Many people with intellectual disabilities in Saskatchewan live below the poverty line.
Gravelbourg Bon Ami, Inc. is supportive of aging-in-place. This refers to the ability of older adults to live comfortably in their own home, regardless of age or ability level. This allows participants to maintain their quality of life while receiving the necessary supports. As more individuals are choosing to age in place, the demand for out-of-town appointments may rise as they seek treatments and specialists to manage their health.
In the past 3 years, participants at Gravelbourg Bon Ami, Inc. have spent $3916.04 for mileage costs out of pocket. Along with this expense, employees have put 15,060 km onto their personal vehicles since 2022 - only for medical travel.
For other travel expenses, such as staff members attending training, taking participants to activities, etc. the Agency has spent $7507.21 on mileage expenses, and the employees have put an additional 11,333 km onto their personal vehicles.
From 2022 - 2024 employees have put a collective 26,400 km onto their personal vehicles.
From 2022- 2024 participants have spent $3916.04 out of their personal accounts to access necessary healthcare.
2022 Medical Travel: 6825 km
Participants spent: $3465.74
Reimbursed: $1842.75
Clients spent $1622.99 on medical travel in 2022 after being reimbursed.
2023 Medical Travel: 3900 km
Participants spent: $2137.98
Reimbursed: $1057.00
Clients spent $1080.98 on medical travel in 2023 after being reimbursed.
2024 Medical Travel: 4335 km
Participants spent: $2382.52
Reimbursed: $1170.45
Clients spent $1212.07 on medical travel in 2024 after being reimbursed.
The cost of mileage continues to rise each year, costing participants more money for their out of town appointments.
2022 Bon Ami Mileage
KM's: 4522 km
Cost: $2582.86
2023 Bon Ami Mileage
KM's: 4658 km
Cost: $3032.29
2024 Bon Ami Mileage:
KM's: 2153 km
Cost: $1892.06
Benefits of an Agency Vehicle
As we strive to enhance the quality of care and support for individuals at Gravelbourg Bon Ami, Inc. acquiring a vehicle has become the top priority at Gravelbourg Bon Ami, Inc.
Benefits of an Agency Vehicle:
1. Safety and Reliability: Relying on our employees personal vehicles for transporting individuals can lead to safety concerns and liability issues. A dedicated van will meet safety standards and be specifically designed for transporting participants, reducing risks associated with using a personal vehicle.
2. Consistency in Care: Having a designated van allows for consistent transportation arrangements, ensuring employees can focus on the needs of the participants, rather than the logistical challenges. This consistency helps us to create a more stable environment for our residents.
3. Accessibility for Activities: A 7-passenger van will enable individuals to participate in community activities and out-of-town appointments easily. This promotes social interaction and engagement, which is vital for the well-being of our participants.
4. Cost Effectiveness: Over time, using a dedicated vehicle can be more cost-effective than reimbursing staff for mileage or managing multiple personal vehicles. This promotes social interaction and engagement, which is vital for the well-being of participants.
5. Enhanced Staff Support: With a van, employees can work more efficiently and collaboratively, knowing they have reliable transportation at their disposal. This can lead to improved job satisfaction and retention.
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