Transforming Trauma into Triumph: The Life-Changing Work of Columbus Recreation and Parks

The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department strives for equitable development of parks, programming, facilities, and open space. CRPD is an ever-evolving agency committed to community wellness, equitable access, environment, and creativity. In addition to their stewardship of hundreds of parks and trails, CRPD offers a variety of programs to support youth success.

CRPD is transforming lives through trauma-informed, community-based programs. These initiatives provide critical support to at-risk youth and families affected by violence. In 2023, CRPD earned a National Recreation and Parks Administration (NRPA) Innovation Award for its VOICE (Violence Outreach, Intervention, Community Engagement) program, which supports survivors of violent crime and offers resources to prevent re-injury and assist with recovery for adults aged 11-40.

With the help of SureImpact’s intuitive software and responsive team, CRPD has optimized its operations, improved data tracking, and empowered staff to focus more on what matters most: serving these vulnerable individuals.

Challenge

Before adopting SureImpact, CRPD used Penelope, a case management system that was difficult to navigate and lacked responsive support.

According to Thad Alexander, Manager of VOICE, “We were using another software that just wasn’t user friendly. SureImpact gave us a system that’s easy to navigate, lets us access data and analytics quickly, and doesn’t require clicking through a bunch of interfaces. You can see your measures and history right away. It’s designed so our teams can document services and outcomes efficiently and get back out into the community, because that’s where the real work happens.”

Solution

SureImpact provided the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department with a user-friendly, customizable platform that transformed how staff manage and report on their work. The software allows teams to quickly document case notes, interventions, and outcomes while in the field, access real-time analytics and demographic data, and easily adapt the system to meet evolving program needs. Staff no longer have to navigate complex interfaces or spend excessive time behind a computer. Everything they need is accessible and intuitive.

Alexander shared that "SureImpact allows you to document services and outcomes so you can quickly get back to serving the community.”

SureImpact’s responsive support has also made a significant difference. Staff can make changes to their system setup with ease and receive help almost immediately.

“Customer service is right there on point. Within 24 hours someone is responding,” said Dawn Turnage, Assistant Director of Youth Development. “SureImpact was a great investment… no question about it.”

Programs in Focus

ReRoute Program

The ReRoute Program is a community-based initiative designed to provide micro-interventions and trauma-focused services for Columbus’s most vulnerable youth, those ages 12 to 21 who have experienced community and/or gun violence. The program also supports their families, recognizing that healing and transformation must happen within the broader context of family and community.

ReRoute’s approach is rooted in the understanding that at-risk behavior is often a response to trauma, not a reflection of character.

Since its launch in 2023, ReRoute has received over 400 referrals, with many coming directly from the court system, schools, and community partners. The program is entirely voluntary, which makes building trust and engagement a critical part of the process.

“SureImpact has played a key role in helping ReRoute staff track participant progress, manage caseloads, and report on high-risk zip codes and demographics,” said Rachel Hardenbrook, Manager of the ReRoute program.

One recent success story involves a young woman who entered the program facing domestic violence, neglect, and academic failure. With the support of a dedicated team—including a counselor, a community interventionist, and a care coordinator—she improved her grades, developed healthier coping strategies, and is now enrolled in college and pursuing STNA certification.

“She truly values the support she received from staff… that’s how much this program has meant to her,” said Rachel Hardenbrook.

VOICE Program

The VOICE Program is a hospital-based intervention initiative serving victims of violent crime ages 11–40. Staff meet participants at their bedside within 24 hours and provide wraparound services including mentorship, trauma support, and wellness programming. It is incredibly important to understand this population and provide transformative support for them—because if we can transform their lives, it can shift violence in cities. This belief drives the program’s mission to humanize each experience and offer meaningful, empathetic care.

“We treat our referrals not just as data or numbers, but as human beings we care about.” — Thad Alexander

A recent success story includes a former participant who overcame addiction and homelessness after being stabbed in the eye. With CRPD’s support, he completed rehabilitation and is now pursuing a degree in social work.

“He’s enrolled in college to be a social worker now… we try our best to assist someone from point A to point B,” said Alexander.

As CRPD’s use of SureImpact expands, Alexander plans to track participant progress for VOICE in a similar manner as ReRoute.

CRPD + SureImpact Results At-A-Glance

• 400+ referrals in two years for ReRoute

• National recognition for the VOICE program

• Improved reporting on high-risk zip codes and demographics

• Faster, easier documentation and real-time access to key performance metrics

• Stronger collaboration with partners like Columbus Public Health

The SureImpact Difference

“From the start, I could tell SureImpact would make implementation easier. The build-out process was excellent. They answered questions quickly and worked closely with us to shape the system around the real-life scenarios we face. Not every software team understands the complexity of our work, but SureImpact did. They helped us tell the story we needed to tell.” — Thad Alexander, Administrative Manager, VOICE Program. “We’re able to build the system to tell the story we want to tell.”

SureImpact has empowered CRPD to focus less on paperwork and more on people. By simplifying data collection and reporting, the software has become a vital tool in CRPD’s mission to build a more equitable, resilient Columbus.

Download the full case study here.