PITTSBURGH \u2014 The Women\u2019s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, in partnership with UPMC Health Plan, hosted its annual \u201cCelebrating Survivors\u201d event Saturday evening. <\/p>\n
The event championed change for survivors of domestic violence and recognized the Best of the Batch Foundation and Burson for their impactful contributions.<\/p>\n
The annual fundraiser brought together community leaders, advocates and supporters to celebrate resilience and honor lives impacted by domestic violence. <\/p>\n
Nicole Molinaro, president and CEO of the Women\u2019s Center & Shelter, said the organization has hosted this event for 35 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so important to us because it\u2019s a wonderful way to acknowledge the journey of survivors and show how brave they are, and how much we really as a community want to be able to support them,\u201d Molinaro said. \u201cSo, this is a very visible way to be able to say we believe you, we support you and we\u2019re here for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Best of the Batch Foundation, established in 1999 by former NFL quarterback Charlie Batch, received the Sherley and Ted Craig Humanitarian Award. The foundation serves more than 4,000 children annually through various educational, mentoring and enrichment programs. It has partnered with the Women\u2019s Center & Shelter to support families in shelter through initiatives like school supply drives, holiday giving and providing essential needs during times of crisis.<\/p>\n
Charlie Batch noted that his wife, LaTasha Wilson-Batch, is a member of the Women\u2019s Center & Shelter\u2019s board. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an event that\u2019s important to us, especially when you\u2019re trying to raise money to continue to do the amazing things that they\u2019re doing at the shelter,\u201d Batch said.<\/p>\n
LaTasha Wilson-Batch, who serves as CEO of the Best of the Batch Foundation, highlighted the shelter\u2019s mission. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe give voices to the ones who don\u2019t have voices. We help individuals who don\u2019t have the way to receive the help part of it, to do our small part,\u201d Wilson-Batch said. \u201cThe Women\u2019s Center & Shelter is an amazing organization that doesn\u2019t just provide for the victims, they provide for their children, too as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Burson, a global communications agency with a strong presence in Pittsburgh, was presented with the SUCCESS Award. Its work includes campaigns for the Women\u2019s Center & Shelter\u2019s 50th anniversary and the U.S. launch of the Bright Sky app. Burson\u2019s efforts have expanded the reach of vital resources for survivors and shaped thoughtful, survivor-centered messaging.<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> for more information about the Women\u2019s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n