Transforming Lives and Amplifying Missions with Rest Stop Ministries
Rest Stop Ministries (RSM), based in Wilson County, Tennessee, offers long-term residential care in a faith-based, trauma-informed setting to survivors of sex trafficking. Their housing-first model prioritizes safety, healing, and reintegration, providing comprehensive services such as case management, rehabilitation programs, advocacy, and workforce empowerment initiatives like Good Hope Farms.
Rest Stop Ministries’ mission is one of hope and empowerment, though significant problems in their previous Salesforce system were impeding their ability to deliver on this mission effectively. Our team at High Tide, with financial support from The Giving Circle Nashville, partnered with RSM to transform their fragmented systems, optimize processes, and empower their team to focus on what truly matters–driving impact.
The Problem
Rest Stop Ministries initially implemented Salesforce to centralize operations, though their legacy system that was configured for them left them scrambling to operate efficiently.
Key challenges included:
Fragmented System Setup: Their legacy Salesforce system included several non-functional features, restricting their ability to take notes, track services, and store information.
User Experience: Survivors frequently experienced system crashes and data losses while filling out intake and application forms, blocking them from receiving the help they needed.
Resident Management Struggles: Poorly configured systems made managing resident data and services frustrating and error-prone.
Reliance on paper: Due to frequent system failures, staff were forced to revert to paper-based methods, losing time and potential for reporting and data analysis.
Scaling Challenges: Without a seamless way to track progress, goals, and resource allocation, RSM could not determine an effective way to scale their impact.
With nothing working the way the system was intended to, RSM was left devastated. For an organization dedicated to delivering life-saving services, these inefficiencies were roadblocks standing in the way of their ability to serve survivors at their highest capacity.
High Tide’s Approach
We partnered with RSM to address their core system challenges using a phased, collaborative approach. Our process included:
Salesforce Optimization
Configured forms to save progress and resume editing, eliminating the need for paper backups.
Improved forms with tab-based navigation for ease.
Created structured frameworks for resident applications, case management, and service tracking.
Data and Program Tracking Enhancements
Configured standardized goal tracking for program phases. This allowed caseworkers to monitor progress meaningfully and justify program results with accurate data.
Improved reporting capabilities so the leadership team could identify where time and resources were going.
Staff Training and Support
Delivered tailored training sessions to ensure every team member was confident using the upgraded Salesforce system.
Provided post-deployment support to answer questions and adjust configurations as needed.
Clear Governance and Timelines
Held weekly meetings to maintain open communication and align priorities between High Tide and RSM.
Established a clear 11-week timeline to keep the project on track and on budget.
“Early on, I felt very heard by you all. I felt like you really wanted to know what we wanted. I remember sitting here feeling like “wow, this is refreshing,” because I did not feel that in the first experience”
– Jill Woicik, Director of Clinical Programs at Rest Stop Ministries
“Loved the detailed scripts and reporting process! Very few consulting firms are so organized and helpful! In years of managing IT projects with a multitude of vendors, it is rare for me to say “I was impressed!"
– Patty Sargent, Senior Director of Finance and Administration, Rest Stop Ministries
Results That Make an Impact
The results of our partnership with Rest Stop Ministries were both measurable and meaningful:
Enhanced Operational Efficiency: By automating manual data entry and streamlining workflows, staff gained hours back each week to focus on survivor care.
“I think it was taking 30-45 minutes for us to type in an application, but now it’s zero, cause we don’t have to enter them” – Patty Sargent, Senior Director of Finance and Administration, Rest Stop Ministries
Simplified Resident and Case Management: Intake, case handling, and service tracking are now centralized and seamless, enabling better service delivery.
Comprehensive Reporting Capabilities: RSM is equipped to generate reports which provide real-time insights on impact measures and support their ability to make data-driven decisions.
Empowered Staff: Training sessions and ongoing support empowered their team to fully utilize Salesforce without frustration.
Mission-Centric Focus: With fewer system-related roadblocks, RSM now spends more time and resources on supporting survivor programs.
“I have rarely ever seen an organization have a QA team member go through things before it was released to us and I think that that made a difference. It was nice. It was a reassurance to me.”
– Patty Sargent, Senior Director of Finance and Administration, Rest Stop Ministries
Unique Nonprofit Challenges
Many nonprofits, including RSM, struggle with investing in technology due to perceived costs. It’s often hard to see how the right digital tools can result in tangible improvements until the transformation begins. For RSM, showing their staff members and donors the powerful outcome of a robust technology solution meant everything.
“I feel like you all really wanted to get it to be what it was that we wanted and needed it to be”
– Jill Woicik, Director of Clinical Programs, Rest Stop Ministries
A New Chapter for Nonprofits
Today, Rest Stop Ministries operates with greater confidence. Their team can track progress, allocate resources effectively, and showcase their results to supporters with data-backed confidence. Most importantly, they can focus on achieving their mission of restoring survivors.
For nonprofits hesitant to invest in technology, Rest Stop Ministries’ story is a testament to the power of getting it right. Tools like Salesforce, when properly implemented, save time, reduce costs, and amplify your impact. High Tide is here to guide you every step of the way.
“A big thank you to your team for getting us to this point”
– Patty Sargent, Senior Director of Finance and Administration, Rest Stop Ministries
Partner With High Tide
At High Tide, we believe no nonprofit should spend unnecessary hours on operational bottlenecks when they could be driving their mission forward. If your organization is ready to transform the way you work, we’re here to help.
Connect with us today at info@hightideco.com and discover what’s possible for your nonprofit.
To learn more about the incredible impacts of Rest Stop Ministries’ work, visit their website here.
