CLUBHOUSE EXPANSION TO BE HELD MONDAY, JUNE 10 AT 1:00pm
NEW 21,000 sq.ft. BATCH FOUNDATION ‘CLUBHOUSE’ WILL BE SIX TIMES THE SIZE OF THE CURRENT FACILITY
Friday, June 7, 2019
Pittsburgh, PA – The groundbreaking ceremony for former NFL Quarterback Charlie Batch’s ‘Best of the Batch Foundation’ Clubhouse expansion will be held on Monday, June 10 at 1:00pm, at the site of the current Foundation headquarters (2000 West Street, Munhall, PA 15120).
Groundbreaking Ceremony Participants (scheduled to attend):
- Charlie Batch – Founder & CEO, Best of the Batch Foundation
- Giselle Fetterman – Second Lady of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- The Honorable Rich Fitzgerald – Allegheny County Chief Executive
- Chip Ganassi – Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing
- Art Rooney – Owner & President, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Edward Wehrer – Superintendent, Steel Valley School District
- Several Batch Foundation Children
Best of the Batch Foundation, founded by Charlie Batch in 1999, is a non-profit organization that provides year-round educational programming for more than 3,800 children (ages 4-18) throughout eight counties in Western Pennsylvania. The Foundation’s mission and passion is to provide financially challenged youth and their families with the purpose, desire and resources to give their best efforts in all they do – to become ‘The Best of the Batch.’
Kids from 22 school districts come together at the Batch Foundation to build educational, social and life skills. The Batch Foundation ‘Clubhouse’ also provides a consistent and safe space for kids to visit if necessary, a place where people listen and give guidance to help them see & work toward the greater potential within themselves.
Over the past 13 years, a renovated three-story house in Munhall, PA has been headquarters to the Batch Foundation, where all day to-day programming, administration, etc. has taken place. As the Foundation has grown with increased need and programming, they have also outgrown the physical space available in the current ‘Clubhouse’ building.
Recently, the Batch Foundation acquired properties adjacent to the current ‘Clubhouse’ which, when all properties are combined, will be the foundation for the construction of a new 21,000 sq.ft. State-of-the-Art Facility that will serve as the hub of activity for the Homestead/Munhall community. The new facility will be six times the size of the current building, and will allow the Foundation to better serve and meet the needs of a significantly higher number of children and will also provide a “go-to-spot” for parents, families, teachers, community groups and seniors.
NEW FACILITY HIGHLIGHTS
- STEAM Lab – to teach creativity, collaboration and communication for the Next Generation
- Gymnasium – for year-round indoor recreation including an elevated track
- Dance Studio – to encourage movement, teamwork and an appreciation of dance
- Multi-Purpose Cafeteria – to provide healthy, nutritious meals & snacks
- Enrichment & Activity Rooms – to house numerous alternative school educational programs
- Administrative Offices – for staff, administration, volunteer and operational needs
- Collaboration Spaces – for community meetings, gatherings and other functions
NEW CLUBHOUSE FUNDRAISING
$5.6 million of the $7.6 million fundraising goal for the new Batch Foundation Clubhouse has been raised, leaving only $2 million remaining to be raised. Numerous opportunities are available to provide a high-impact, high-visibility presence in the lives of so many children. In addition, naming rights within the Clubhouse are also available.
CURRENT BATCH FOUNDATION PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES
Based at the Clubhouse, all Batch Foundation programs stem from the commitment to supporting community kids in all aspects of their lives.
Mentorship Programs
One-on-one mentoring has been a trademark of the Foundation, motivating students to achieve leadership skills, self-discipline, to complete high school and seek college degrees – to help break cycles and to create new generations of productive and engaged young citizens.
After-School Programming
After school, between 3:00pm and 6:00pm, is proven to be the most critical time to engage youth. Youth in after-school programs do better in school and achieve higher levels of education. Students participating in the after-school program receive individualized homework help and tutoring, access to a full-service computer lab, a hot meal and a healthy snack. Best of the Batch also holds a weekly all-female middle school mentoring program, ‘Girl Talk,’ during this time.
Steel Valley Educational Support Center
The Steel Valley Elementary Educational Support Center offers an alternate learning location away from the flow of the current Elementary School. It provides individualized teaching with less distraction for students who are demonstrating behavioral difficulties in their current school.
STEAM Programs
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education programs provide an avenue for formal teaching of the interrelationships of subjects in real-life. STEAM education provides an enjoyable way of learning and is delivered in engaging ways, bringing functional literacy to all.
Scholarship Programs
College Scholarships are awarded annually to seniors attending a high school in Western Pennsylvania to provide financial assistance to college bound students enrolled for undergraduate study at approved colleges and universities of their choice, provided that funds are available. Awards are based upon financial need, academic performance, leadership potential, and community involvement. The Batch Foundation also offers Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs.
BatchPacks
The BatchPacks program helps families tackle financial challenges associated with back-to-school preparations. To date, more than 14,000 BatchPacks filled with basic school supplies for kids have been distributed, and the program has expanded in recent years to include essential supplies for teachers, who increasingly have to bear the financial burden of providing supplies & learning tools to their students.
Summer Athletic/Educational Programs
Going beyond athletics, Batch Foundation summer programs provide skills to more than 400 student-athletes to help them develop both physically and academically. In addition to academic development, self-esteem and confidence, students learn the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through health and wellness programs.
Next Level Athletics
Over a 12-week period, the Next Level Athletics track club provides young athletes with the opportunity to train, travel in competitions around the country, and to advance to the USATF Junior Olympics.
Project C.H.U.C.K. (Continuously Helping Uplift Community Kids)
For 18 years, the Project C.H.U.C.K. summer basketball league has successfully engaged kids in mandatory summer reading & writing programs while taking part in structured sports and building sportsmanship & teamwork skills.
Batch-A-Toys
The annual Batch-A-Toys program distributes donated toys and household essentials to help 100 local families (identified through partnerships with local organizations) celebrate the holiday season. On Christmas Eve, Charlie (Santa) personally visits these families to bring them each a bag of gifts.
To learn more about the Best of the Batch Foundation, please visit batchfoundation.org.
Contributions to Best of the Batch Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit entity, are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. EIN#34-1900914. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the PA Department of State. Registration does not imply endorsement.
