This Year’s Honorees
Sherley and Ted Craig Humanitarian Award | Best of the Batch Foundation
Best of the Batch Foundation was founded in 1999 by Charlie Batch to give back to his hometown of Homestead, PA. The foundation offers over 12 programs for school-aged children, serving more than 4,000 children and their families annually across nine counties in Southwestern PA. Their mission is “unlocking potential in communities to build the best future for kids and families by providing choices, motivation, and education.” Most recently, they expanded and built a state-of-the-art educational clubhouse for the community. Best of the Batch Foundation provides programs such as mentoring, tutoring, after-school, 3-D printing lab, study lounge, Grub Time, BatchPacks, Girl Talk, Project C.H.U.C.K. (Continuously Helping Uplift Community Kids), Batch A Toys, and much more.
For many years, Women’s Center & Shelter (WC&S) and the families served through our mission have benefited greatly from the kindness and compassion of Best of the Batch Foundation. Latasha Wilson Batch serves as Chief Executive Officer of Best of the Batch Foundation and is a dedicated, long-time WC&S Board Director. She has volunteered with the Ladies of Steel, partners of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ players and coaches, bringing holiday joy, gifts, activities, and delightful meals to shelter residents. As a Board Director, she has served on WC&S’ Celebrating Survivors and Development Committees, participated in Back-to-School BBQ events (including making her famous mac and cheese!), shared in staff appreciation with fellow Board Directors, and much more. Founder Charlie Batch’s deep connection and care for the issue can be felt by the fact that he is willing to do whatever is asked of him to help the cause. From speaking at events, to serving as an ambassador of the Bright Sky app and website, to advocating to schools on behalf of the children staying in our Emergency Shelter, Charlie can be counted upon to use his voice to improve the lives of others.
As a Foundation, Best of the Batch has stood with survivors of domestic violence and their children during the best and the darkest of times. To prepare kids for the school year, they have provided BatchPacks, complete with all of the school supplies necessary to get the school year started on a high note. During the COVID-19 pandemic when spirits were low and necessities like paper towels and toilet paper were at a premium, Best of the Batch Foundation provided their Comfort in a Basket complete with not only these necessities, but also comforts like cozy blankets, sheets, and towels, during this unimaginably difficult time. Lastly, it wouldn’t be Christmas Eve without a visit from Charlie, Latasha, and members of Best of the Batch Foundation. WC&S is almost always their last stop, arriving with a truck full of gifts not only for the children, but for the survivors in the shelter as well. It truly makes the day feel special for those who are away from their homes for the holiday. Through all of their efforts, Charlie, Latasha, and Best of the Batch Foundation are making our community safer, one survivor and family at a time.
SUCCESS Award | Burson
From the very beginning of our relationship, Burson, a global communications agency with an office right here in Pittsburgh, has embraced the opportunity to learn about the complexities and nuances of domestic violence and understand that it must be done with a great deal of thought in order to communicate appropriately and strategically. Over the years, they have collaborated with WC&S on a variety of public relations and communications-related projects, helping to broaden our base of supporters and increase awareness around the issue of domestic violence.
Burson has developed and executed earned media strategies and efforts in support of Pittsburgh’s 2018 Connection of Hope Day Event/RUSafe app relaunch and mayoral proclamation in partnership with Aspirant, now Wavestone; pandemic DV-related awareness; and WC&S’ 50th Anniversary. Burson also led the media relations strategy, public relations efforts, and execution of the U.S. launch of Bright Sky, a free, safe, and easy-to-use DV app and website, securing coverage in outlets such as KPRC-TV/Houston, Pittsburgh Magazine, and Technical.ly. Bright Sky was awarded Invention of the Year for 2023 by The Technical.ly Awards and received the 2024 Public Relations Society of America’s regional Renaissance Award for Excellence in PR and Communication, Nonprofit Communication Campaign for the Bright Sky marketing campaign. The campaign also received the Public Relations Society of America Pittsburgh chapters highest award, “Best In Show.”
Members of the Burson team in the Pittsburgh office, including Executive Vice President, Gina Richardson, have served as ongoing champions of WC&S through on-the-ground volunteer efforts, including providing homemade baked goods during the pandemic, packing the pantry with essential items, and participating in holiday parties and costume donations. Burson’s employee resource group, Women In-Sync and Empowered (WISE) has worked to drive awareness nationally of DV-related resources and programming has advocated for employee participation in Purple Thursday and Denim Day, and membership with STANDING FIRM, a national program of WC&S.
Rachel Hopkins, Executive Vice President, is a long-serving member of the WC&S Communications Committee, providing strategic communications support for key initiatives and senior communications counsel to the organization’s leadership team. Rachel said of Burson’s commitment to the WC&S mission, “It’s a privilege to serve this organization that has deep purpose and dedication to an issue that impacts many. We remain focused on helping WC&S drive awareness and action to prevent DV in our local community and around the country.”