Case Studies.

Threshold Residential Services is dedicated to providing individuals with developmental disabilities opportunities for personal growth, independence, and overall improved quality of life. They are a mission-driven organization focused on eliminating barriers to care and independence for their clients, and cultivating a supportive and inclusive community for underestimated individuals. Threshold started its trek with TrailBlaze Creative because it wanted to rebrand and find a new identity to meet the need for support in its service area of Columbiana County, Ohio. They needed a brand representing their desire to help those who have developmental disabilities find independence and improved quality of life.

TrailBlaze jumped at the opportunity to help this dedicated organization by using a human-centered design model. At the beginning of their rebranding, TrailBlaze dove into Threshold’s wants and needs for their new brand in order to create an identity that was fun and representative. To understand the actions, goals, and engagement opportunities for the brand, TrailBlaze used the Brand Audit process to measure the performance of an existing brand and inform the process for a new brand. This process culminated in a new identity for Threshold – an identity that combined their values of Integrity, Mindfulness, Evolutionary, and Positivity. Once the new brand was created, TrailBlaze turned to the development of the new Threshold website. Sitemaps, mockups, and content planning documents were created to aid in the development of the site. The result is a new site that captures the newfound independence that Threshold gives its clients and the reason behind what they do.

Following the creation of the new identity and website, Threshold recognized the marketing value that TrailBlaze brought to its team. As a result, Threshold signed on as a Marketing-in-Residence® client. TrailBlaze continues to help Threshold with all of its marketing efforts including the creation of social media posts, the creation of marketing collateral, fundraising, event planning, etc. Threshold also created a Community Sensory Garden, as part of their first-ever Giving Tuesday campaign, which TrailBlaze helped launch and market, resulting in a successful community outreach plan. The ongoing positivity of the Community Sensory Garden has allowed Threshold’s impact to blossom in East Palestine, Ohio, and throughout the Columbiana County community.

As a result of the work TrailBlaze did for Threshold, they found a new legitimacy to bring to their community and serve as a trusted partner to clients and their families. The website has seen increased visitation from the previous website, as new features and a logical organization of data provide a more appealing online experience for end users. In 2022 PR Daily recognized the website TrailBlaze created for Threshold as a finalist in the PR Daily Non-profit Communications Awards. TrailBlaze also earned a 2022 Silver Davey Award in the Non-Profit category for the ongoing Marketing-in-Residence® work it provides.

Following the East Palestine, OH train derailment in February 2023, TrailBlaze helped to conceptualize the award-winning EP Voices campaign–a community asset elevation campaign that supported the rebuild of the Village.

TrailBlaze Creative’s Marketing-in-Residence^® model provides Threshold Residential with extended capacity, marketing and communications innovation, and the consistent support we need to succeed as an organization. They’ve become a trusted partner and valuable resource, plus they make the work fun! – Chris Page, CEO