Clínica Esperanza /Hope Clinic

What Clínica Esperanza /Hope Clinic does

Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic (CEHC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 in Providence, Rhode Island, that delivers free, multilingual, and culturally attuned primary and preventive healthcare to uninsured adults — predominantly Spanish-speaking and immigrant populations. The organization operates a CHEER walk-in clinic for non-emergency acute care (open Monday–Thursday afternoons), a Continuity of Care Clinic for longitudinal primary care, and specialty clinics in cardiology, dermatology, gynecology, neurology, ophthalmology, ENT, and behavioral health. Patient records run on the eClinicalWorks EMR system, and the clinic is staffed by 11–50 core staff plus 200+ annual volunteers, including 100+ volunteer medical providers.

CEHC's operating model is anchored on the Navegantes program, a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) pipeline that combines case management, medical interpretation, and health education in a single multilingual role. The Advanced Navegante Training Program (ANTP) is a 10-week curriculum with an 80-hour internship that has trained over 160 community members for healthcare careers. Complementary programs include Vida Sana (chronic disease/metabolic syndrome education), the VAMOS! Adelante pop-up vaccination initiative, and Niños Sanos (a URI partnership for child nutrition). The Neighborhood Health Station at 85 Eagle St. operates the first federally funded COVID-19 Test to Treat site in the country under FEMA designation.

The organization is entirely donation-funded, with no billing to patients. Revenue derives from individual donations, foundation and corporate grants (Rhode Island Foundation, Direct Relief, Pfizer Foundation, TD Bank, BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island, CVS Health Foundation, Champlin Foundation, Textron, Tufts Health Foundation), and government contracts (FEMA, RIDOH, RI Department of Labor and Training). Cumulative fundraising is approximately $3 million across individual donors, corporate sponsors, and state agency contracts. CEHC has served more than 40,000 patients since 2010, currently serves 6,000+ active patients, and reports measurable impact including $34 saved per $1 invested in preventive services and 60% fewer ER visits among Bridging the Gap participants compared to Medicaid patients.

Name

Clínica Esperanza /Hope Clinic

Legal name

Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic

Website

https://aplacetobehealthy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic is a Providence, RI-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that provides free, multilingual primary, specialty, and preventive healthcare to uninsured Rhode Island adults, anchored on its CHEER walk-in clinic and Navegantes community health worker program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Free Community Healthcare Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (62111), Other Ambulatory Health Care Services (6219), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Community-Based Preventive & Health Promotion Clinics (HLAFAGAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-Hours & Walk-In Primary Care Clinics (HLAFADAH), Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA), Retail & Walk-In Primary Care Clinics (HLAFAGAC)

Keywords

• Free clinic services
• Community health navigation
• Uninsured adult care
• Multilingual primary care
• Preventive health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the clinic's mission. EIN: 26-1714340. Fundraiser events such as the 2025 event that raised over $28,000.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Grants from organizations including Rhode Island Foundation, Direct Relief, Pfizer Foundation, TD Bank, BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island, CVS Health Foundation, Champlin Foundation, Textron Charitable Trust, and many others. Awarded Barbara Colt Perseverance Award and other recognition.
3. Government Contracts: Contracted work for state agencies. FEMA funding for Test to Treat operations. Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training's RealJobs RI program support for ANTP.
4. Volunteer Provider Services (In-Kind): Over 100 volunteer providers donate healthcare services. 200+ outstanding volunteers donate time and expertise annually. FTCA coverage for volunteer providers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic is a nonprofit free clinic that delivers primary care, specialty consultations, vaccinations, chronic disease management, and health education to uninsured adults living in Rhode Island. Services are provided at no cost through volunteer medical providers, multilingual Navegantes community health workers, and core staff, supported by donations, foundation and corporate grants, and government contracts.

Product overview

Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic is a free healthcare clinic providing high-quality, linguistically appropriate, and culturally attuned healthcare to uninsured Rhode Island adults. The clinic operates as a unified service model centered on the CHEER Walk-In Clinic as its core product for walk-in primary care, supported by specialty clinics and wrap-around services. Key programs include the Vida Sana chronic disease management program and the Navegantes community health worker program, both of which provide patient education and navigation support. The clinic also operates Medical and PA Student Clinics, COVID-19 testing and vaccination services, and was the first federally funded Test to Treat site in the country. The Advanced Navegante Training Program trains community members for healthcare jobs as certified CHWs. Services are delivered at the main clinic at 60 Valley St. and the Neighborhood Health Station at 85 Eagle St.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CHEER Clinic: Walk-in clinic providing non-emergency primary care to uninsured adults, operating Monday–Thursday 1–4pm. Also referred to as the Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic Emergency Room Diversion Project.
• Vida Sana
• Navegantes
• Continuity of Care Clinic (CCC)
• Niños Sanos

Products and services

• CHEER Walk-In Clinic Walk-in non-emergency primary care clinic for uninsured Rhode Island adults, operating Monday through Thursday from 1-4pm without requiring an appointment; functions as an emergency room diversion model.
• Continuity of Care Clinic (CCC) Follow-up primary care clinic where uninsured patients build long-term relationships with medical providers after initial CHEER visits.
• Vida Sana Program Community health education program supporting patients with metabolic syndrome at risk for diabetes through nutrition education, exercise support, and cooking classes in small group settings.
• Navegantes Program Community health worker program where multilingual, multicultural members are trained in case management, outreach, health education, advocacy, and medical interpreting to help uninsured patients navigate the health system, apply for free care and insurance, and find community resources.
• Medical Student Specialty Clinic Weekly clinic staffed by medical students from Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School providing free clinical care under physician supervision across gynecology, neurology, ophthalmology, primary care, and psychiatry.
• Physician Assistant Student Clinic Monthly clinic hosted by PA students dedicated to diabetes care, providing culturally sensitive care to underserved patients.
• Specialty Care Services Specialty consultations including cardiology, dermatology, ENT, gynecology, neurology, ophthalmology, primary care, and medication management consultations with a pharmacist, provided by volunteer medical providers.
• COVID-19 Test to Treat COVID-19 testing, oral antiviral medication (Paxlovid), and telemedicine consultations for uninsured individuals at the Neighborhood Health Station.
• COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination COVID-19 testing and vaccination services for uninsured individuals at the clinic and pop-up community sites.
• VAMOS! Adelante Pop-Up Vaccine Clinics Pop-up vaccine clinics delivering routine immunizations directly to Providence neighborhoods as part of community outreach.
• Advanced Navegante Training Program (ANTP) 10-week certified Community Health Worker training program including CHW training classes, Vida Sana instructor training, and medical interpreter training with an 80-hour internship component.
• Bridging the Gap (BTG) Program Program enrolling uninsured individuals to support healthcare access, reported to reduce emergency room visits by 60% compared to Medicaid patients in Rhode Island.

Quantifiable outcome

• Preventive services saved $1.28 million in healthcare costs during 5-month pilot ($34 saved per $1 invested)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Brown University Warren Alpert Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical students from Brown's Alpert Medical School provide weekly clinics in gynecology, neurology, ophthalmology, primary care, and psychiatry. Students gain experience in culturally sensitive care to underserved communities. Clinics are overseen by licensed physicians.
• Physician Assistant ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPA student clinics hosted one Saturday per month dedicated to diabetes care. Students gain experience providing culturally sensitive care to diabetic patients in an underserved community.
• Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for COVID-19 response including testing, vaccination, and Test to Treat operations. Also partner for community health initiatives.
• Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RI EMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in COVID-19 response and Test to Treat site implementation.
• Community Health Worker Association of Rhode Island (CHWARI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNavegantes are certified Community Health Workers through CHWARI. Partnership for workforce development and CHW certification.
• EpiVax, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Dr. Annie De Groot. Company co-founder also serves as clinic founder. Logo appears on donors page.
• Venture for AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite donated by Venture for America.
• University of Rhode IslandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Niños Sanos program (2015) teaching parents skills to improve nutrition and exercise habits of children.
• AIDS Care Ocean StateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTemporary clinic opened at AIDS Care Ocean State Office in Providence (November 2009) to expand services.
• Open Table of ChristminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary home during founding years (2007-2010) when clinic operated out of church basements and meeting spaces.
• Providence Community Health Center (PCHC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for patients needing services not offered at CEHC (e.g., PCHC Express Clinic for insured patients, pediatric care referrals).

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rhode Island Free Clinic: Volunteer-staffed free clinic in Providence, RI providing free primary and specialty care to uninsured adults. Directly comparable to CEHC on geography, target population, and free-clinic model.
• CrossOver Healthcare Ministry: Richmond, VA-based nonprofit free clinic providing free primary, specialty, dental, and mental health care to uninsured patients. Comparable volunteer-driven model, multilingual services, and walk-in clinic structure.
• Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC): Federally qualified health center serving the same Providence geography with primary, behavioral, and specialty care for underserved populations. Comparable mission and patient base, though PCHC uses a sliding-fee FQHC model rather than a free clinic model.

Regional players

• The Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland: Free clinic in Cleveland, OH providing free healthcare to uninsured adults via volunteer providers. Comparable care model, target population, and walk-in/primary care delivery, but serving a different region.
• Open Door Health Center: Free clinic in Florida serving uninsured and underinsured patients with primary care, specialty referrals, and chronic disease management. Comparable free-care model and population-focused mission.
• HealthNet Inc. (Indianapolis): Indianapolis-based nonprofit FQHC providing free and sliding-scale primary care to uninsured and underserved populations. Comparable primary care delivery to vulnerable populations, though operates as an FQHC network.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers in Medicine (national network): National nonprofit supporting a network of free clinics staffed by retired and volunteer medical professionals. Operationally similar to CEHC's volunteer provider model and free-care mission.
• National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC): National membership and standards body for free and charitable clinics. Comparable as the industry body representing CEHC's category, providing the Gold Standards Seal referenced in CEHC's credentials.

Others

• Direct Relief: International humanitarian aid organization providing medical resources and grants to free clinics including CEHC. Comparable as a funding and supply chain partner for free-clinic operations.
• Rhode Island Foundation: Major philanthropic grantmaker that funds CEHC and many other Rhode Island safety-net providers. Comparable as a key funding ecosystem partner and lens into the regional nonprofit health funding landscape.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/clinicesperanza
• Facebookfacebook.com/ClinicaEsperanzaHopeClinic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clinica-esperanza-hope-clinic
• Instagraminstagram.com/clinicaesperanzahopeclinic

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Clínica Esperanza /Hope Clinic