Former Steeler Charlie Batch, pictured with his wife, LaTasha Wilson-Batch, unveiled the enormous addition to the “Best of the Batch” Foundation space in Homestead. It’s called, “The Clubhouse.” See more photos on Pages A6-7. (Photo by J.L. Martello)
After outgrowing its former home, the New Pittsburgh Courier was there when the “Best of the Batch Foundation” revealed its brand new 33,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art educational facility during an official Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, April 10, at 2000 West St., Homestead. The original structure is built into the new facility, which includes a state-of-the-art learning environment, a wellness center, a full gym, basketball courts and an elevated walking track.
SOME OF THE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE NEW FACILITY FOR THE BEST OF THE BATCH FOUNDATION. (PHOTOS B Y J.L. MARTELLO)
Founded by former Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions quarterback Charlie Batch, the Best of the Batch Foundation’s mission is to provide Western Pennsylvania K-12 children with free programs focused on education, health & wellness, and outreach services.
Batch and his wife, Latasha Wilson-Batch, Executive Director of the Batch Foundation, offer a multitude of educational programs to school-aged children, annually serving more than 3,800 children and their families throughout eight Western Pennsylvania counties.
AN ARTIST RENDITION OF THE NEW FACILITY…
The expanded Best of the Batch Clubhouse facility offers the space, resources, and tools to increase the number of children and families served annually. The new facility also provides space for the UPMC Munhall Family Medicine Health & Wellness Center as well as opportunities for new and expanded programming.
“We provide a lot of things that I didn’t have access to growing up here,” said Charlie Batch, in a statement. “That’s the reason we do this. We’re an extended arm to help families with children in school that don’t necessarily have access to resources that exist in other areas of the city.”
The Batch Foundation’s crown jewel is the “Clubhouse,” where day-to-day youth programming occurs. The Clubhouse is a safe place where kids can hang out with their friends, make new friends, and where they can have fun. The Batch Foundation Clubhouse provides all of those things and more, with the critical element of education intertwined. Education is core to the Best of the Batch Foundation and is incorporated into all programming, activities and events.
“When kids walk in the building, it doesn’t remind them of school, where they’re taught to sit down and be quiet all day,” said Charlie Batch. “Here, we expect them to burn that energy off. At the same time, we require them to finish their homework and present their report cards first, so we can hold them accountable and to make sure they’re upholding their end of the deal.”
For more information on the new facility and all it has to offer the area youth, visit batchfoundation.org.
LATSHA WILSON-BATCH GIVING A TOUR OF THE NEW BUILDING
CHARLIE BATCH’S MOM, LYNN SETTLES, CHARLIE BATCH, AND LATASHA WILSON-BATCH
CHARLIE BATCH AND PITTSBURGH MAYOR ED GAINEY
STEELERS PRESIDENT ART ROONEY II
KENNEDY SMITH
FORMER STEELER WILL ALLEN WITH CLAIRTON CITY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. TAMARA ALLEN
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