Transforming Trauma Into Triumph The Life Changing Work Of Columbus Recreation And Parks

The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD) is dedicated to equitable development of parks, programming, facilities, and open spaces, with a strong commitment to community wellness, equitable access, environmental stewardship, and creativity. Beyond managing parks and trails, CRPD offers a variety of programs to support youth success, particularly through trauma-informed, community-based initiatives that provide critical support to at-risk youth and families affected by violence.

In 2023, CRPD received a National Recreation and Parks Administration (NRPA) Innovation Award for its VOICE (Violence Outreach, Intervention, Community Engagement) program. This program supports survivors of violent crime and offers resources to prevent re-injury and assist with recovery for adults aged 11-40.

With the adoption of SureImpact’s software, CRPD has optimized operations, improved data tracking, and empowered staff to focus more on serving vulnerable individuals.

Challenge

Before 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 CRPD 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:

"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.

Dawn Turnage, Assistant Director of Youth Development, said:

“Customer service is right there on point. Within 24 hours someone is responding. 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 (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, making trust and engagement critical.

Rachel Hardenbrook, Manager of the ReRoute program, noted:

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

A recent success story involves a young woman who entered the program facing domestic violence, neglect, and academic failure. With support from 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.”

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. The program’s mission is to humanize each experience and offer meaningful, empathetic care.

Thad Alexander shared:

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

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.”

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

Thad Alexander, Administrative Manager, VOICE Program, stated:

“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. 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.