Imaginary Budget Assignment

1. Imaginary Budget Assignment Michael Pearce (Assignment #1)

2. Parameters 2 million “imaginary” dollars to allocate towards 3 community organizations in Red Deer and Area. Description of amount of funds that will be donated to each of the 3 organizations. Description of the allocation of funds directed towards each of the 3 organizations. Description of the services they provide to the community. Reasoning behind choices and allocations of funds.

3. Loaves and Fishes Service Provided to Community: Loaves and Fishes is a charity that has grown from initially feeding the hungry of Red Deer and Central Alberta to a full fledged support centre for the homeless, abused, malnourished and addicted people of this area. Along with providing hot meals throughout the day, Loaves and Fishes also supports a school lunch program for disadvantaged kids, offers shelter for the displaced, spiritual support through a full-time pastor and tools for helping recovering addicts.

4. Loaves and Fishes (cont.) Allocation in Budget: $1,000,000 Reasoning: Loaves and Fishes is a growing organization that initially relied heavy on donations and support from the community. By providing this organization with the money necessary to begin sustaining itself, it can both increase the amount of people it can serve and the length at which they can continue to receive support. This charity is well deserving because of the immense amount of growth and extension of services it has undergone.

5. Loaves and Fishes (cont.) • Budget Breakdown • $500,000 in staff salaries. Half will be used to extend current employees contracts, and hire new staff to increase the productiveness of the centre. The other half will be invested in a long term portfolio with the money earned in interest to be used to sustain the budget over the years. • $250,00 in food products and kitchen improvements. Industrial meat grinders, ovens and other appliances along with purchasing bulk food contracts from producers will ensure stability and increase food production. • $250,000 in construction and renovations. This money will be used to increase the amount of space and beds the shelter will have to house the poor, as well as add in necessary office space for administrators and larger dining areas for the hungry.

6. Red Deer Hospice Society Service Provided to Community: The Red Deer Hospice Society provides palliative care in a warm, supportive and natural setting for the ailing and their families. This incredible charity turns away no one because of financial reasons, and is very accommodating to the families of the dying. They provide spiritual support, guidance and assistance through grieving and ensure the dignity of all who pass through their community. They truly strive to make death as comfortable and peaceful as possible to those who may not otherwise have been able to attain it.

7. Red Deer Hospice Society (cont.) Allocation in Budget : $500,00 Reasoning: Because this charity provides a very intensive, hands on and 24/7 service, they have a high cost per person ratio. Money granted to them will allow to hire more dedicated staff for the round the clock work they do, and expand their ability to take more ailing people. At the Red Deer Hospice they truly aim to help people in the most difficult part of their life -- both passing on and dealing with the loss of a loved one. With the growing need for palliative care and the rising increase in cost for it, this charity provides an essential service with a huge amount of care.

8. Red Deer Hospice Society (cont.) • Budget Breakdown • $250,000 in staff salaries. This money will be used to hire new people to bolster the staff of the hospice centre, improving the quality of care for patients and the quality of life for the staff who have to work already long hours. This amount of money will ensure longstanding stability of employment and financial safety for the hospice. • $200,000 for renovations. This money will be used to increase the capacity of the centre, and allow for more beds while maintaining the same amount of room per person. As well, upgrades to technology, recreational services and décor will boost the overall atmosphere. • $50,000 for food and entertainment. This money will be used to increase the quality of life for the palliative in the centre, and spice up the routine. Entertainment acts will be brought in and the food quality increased, to ensure full satisfaction and variation.

9. Street Ties Youth Outreach Service Provided to Community: Street Ties Youth Outreach is a program run by Parkland Youth Homes that is focused on taking at risk youth off the streets and away from negative influences such as drugs and alcohol, and give them support as well as healthy means to express themselves. They operate a drop in centre that offers guidance, counseling, laundry facilities, food, clothing, resume builders, job referrals and computers to help get youth back on their feet. A staff of compassionate adults look to make positive connections with these youth and help them initiate more healthy life choices.

10. Street Ties Youth Outreach (cont.) Allocation in Budget: $500,000 Reasoning: This amazing charity is aiming to combat some very prominent problems in our society these days, and ones that are growing immensely—drug addiction and sexual exploitation. More youth than ever need a guiding force in their life, and positive tools to turn to, instead of substances or prostitution. This charity provides both a necessary physical and psychological service to these at risk teens, and need to be supported because of the ever growing challenges our youth are facing.

11. Street Ties Youth Outreach (cont.) • Budget Breakdown • $250,000 in staff salaries. Just like the other charities I selected, the devoted staff make the biggest difference, especially in youth outreach. This money will be used to ensure stability into the future, and attract new highly qualified and dedicated staff. • $150,000 in renovations. The youth drop in centre would be increased in size, to allow larger shower facilities, more offices and private space for counseling and a better administrative environment for staff. • $100,000 in new supplies and appliances. This will ensure that at risk youth visiting the facility get the opportunity to receive true, good quality clothing, otherwise expensive hygiene products and use new computers as well as washers and driers.