Here 4 U RI

Initial Costs:

Initial Costs (Updated 12/2/2025)

1. Bus Acquisition: ✅ Completed — Here 4 U RI has purchased its first therapy bus.
2. Customization & Construction: $20,000
   • Interior build‑out for therapy space, privacy partitions, ADA accessibility, and safety equipment.
3. Insurance: $1,500 – $2,500 per year
4. Gas: $2,000 – $2,500 per year (assuming ~10,000 miles/year at $3/gallon)
5. Therapist Salary: $100,000 per year for the first LICSW clinician, ensuring competitive wages to attract and retain talent.
6. Marketing & Outreach: $5,000 – $7,500 per year for website, community events, flyers, and awareness campaigns.
7. Ongoing Costs:
8. Maintenance & Repairs: $1,000 – $1,500 per year
9. Miscellaneous Expenses: $3,000 – $5,000 per year (office supplies, technology, permits, internet, etc.)

Total One‑Year Cost for One Bus (Updated):

1. Used Bus (already acquired): $3,900
2. Customization: $20,000
3. Therapist Salary: $100,000
4. Insurance: $2,000
5. Gas: $2,500
6. Maintenance: $1,500
7. Marketing & Miscellaneous: $7,500
8. Total: ~$135,400

Ongoing Costs:

1. Maintenance and Repairs:
   • Estimated at $2000 per year per bus
2. Miscellaneous Expenses:
   • Office supplies, marketing, internet, technology, permits, etc.: $2,000 – $6,000 per year per bus

Total One-Year Cost for One Bus:

• $135,400 – $200,000

Five-Year Plan for Expanding to More Cities in Rhode Island

Estimated Costs:

1. Bus Cost:
   • $250,000 – $700,000 (5-7 buses or shuttle vans)
2. Customization:
   • $25,000 – $140,000 (5-7 buses or shuttle vans)
3. Insurance:
   • $5,000 – $17,500 per year
4. Gas:
   • $5,000 – $17,500 per year
5. Therapist Salaries:
   • $350,000 – $630,000 per year (5-7 therapists, at competitive wages to help retention)
6. Maintenance and Repairs:
   • $2,500 – $10,500 per year
7. Miscellaneous Expenses:
   • Office supplies, marketing, internet, technology, permits, etc.: $10,000 – $28,000 per year

Total Five-Year Cost:

• New Buses or Shuttle Vans & Customization: $287,500 – $840,000
• Annual Ongoing Costs: $372,500 – $693,500

Total Donations Needed:

• One-Year Plan for One Bus: $135,400 – $200,000
• Five-Year Plan for 5-7 Buses: $1,142,500 – $3,242,500

Revenue:

As a nonprofit organization, Here 4 U RI can still bill insurance for clients who have mental health coverage, generating revenue to help sustain operations and fund additional buses and services. Importantly, we will not turn away anyone based on insurance status. Our mission is to serve everyone who wants our services, eliminating every barrier to accessing therapy. With sufficient donation funding, we will implement a sliding scale fee structure, making therapy services free for many, thanks to the generosity of our donors.

No CDL or Special Driving License Required:

Our small buses and shuttle vans are designed for therapy services only and will not be used to transport anyone. Therapy sessions will take place while the bus or van is parked in a safe space, which eliminates any liability to patients or families and ensures we do not require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate these vehicles. Additionally, because we are not transporting clients, we do not need extensive insurance coverage—only enough to cover the bus or van and driver. Anyone who can drive an SUV can Drive the bus or vans. The hope is that the therapist can drive themselves to and from appointment.

Competitive Salaries and Flexible Hours:

Our salary rates for therapists are higher than most mental health jobs in Rhode Island, making us an attractive employer for mental health professionals. Additionally, our therapists have the flexibility to work hours that meet the needs of our families, including evenings and weekends. This flexibility ensures that we can provide therapy services when families need them the most, opening opportunities for all working families.

Referral Process:

Here 4 U RI partners with a diverse range of organizations and stakeholders throughout Rhode Island to maximize our impact and reach. These partnerships enable us to reach those with the highest need for day, afternoon, or after-work hours and weekend therapy. Everyone can refer clients directly to us, ensuring that individuals in need can receive timely and convenient access to mental health support.

Confidence in Meeting the Need:

Our CEO, Kimberly Martinez, LICSW, has seen firsthand the significant need for accessible mental health services through her work as a therapist in Rhode Island. We are confident that Here 4 U RI will meet this critical need and make a profound impact on the community. This initiative has the potential to be life-changing for everyone involved and will address mental health care across the state of Rhode Island.

Data Collection and Impact:

Extensive data will be collected to demonstrate the need for Here 4 U RI and the effectiveness of our services. By tracking outcomes and gathering comprehensive data, we will provide clear evidence of the demand for mobile therapy units and the positive impact they have on the community.

Waitlist and First-Year Impact:

We already have a waitlist of over 100 individuals and families of different income levels eager for Here 4 U RI to receive funding and start providing services. We have individuals and families living in shelters, hotel, and cars who want services themselves or their children just as badly as families of low, medium, and high income. Therapy is beneficial for everyone, so we are confident that in our first year, we will serve over 200 individuals with just one bus, making a significant difference in their lives. With this data and outcomes we are sure we can double our reach and receive more donations to get more buses and reach more people.

Sustainable Funding:

While initial donations are crucial for launching our services, the need for donations will decrease after the first year as we generate revenue through billing insurance for covered mental health services. This ongoing revenue will help sustain our operations and support our mission to provide accessible therapy for all.

By securing adequate funding, Here 4 U RI aims to eliminate barriers to mental health care by bringing our services directly to those in need of them, regardless of their insurance status or living circumstances. Our mobile therapy units are designed to reach all communities and ensure that mental health services are available to all, regardless of insurance status or socioeconomic background. By fulfilling this mission, Here 4 U RI aims to create a significant, positive impact on the mental health and well-being of the communities we serve, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and the stigmas behind mental health services and therapy are addressed and diminished.