In honor of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc. recently held its 31st Annual Awards Celebration.
The act authorized the formation of local Community Action Agencies as part of the War on Poverty. A creation of President Lyndon B. Johnson, its purpose was to eliminate poverty, to expand educational opportunities, to increase the safety net for the poor and unemployed and to tend to health and financial needs of the elderly.
Known as the War on Poverty, according to PCSI board president 50 years later the war on poverty is still being fought.
“It is with great concern that, while poverty rates have declined significantly in the past 50 years, poverty still persist,” said Davie S. Huddleston.
Part of a network of Community Action Agencies established under the Economic Opportunity Act, PCSI is the designated CAA for the City of Pittsburgh. Its mission is to address the causes of poverty and to diminish its effects through the development, implementation, sponsorship, and support of programs and activities designed to enable and empower low-income residents of the City of Pittsburgh to make measurable progress on the continuum from impoverishment to self-sufficiency.
In her director’s message, PCSI executive director, Cecilia A. Jenkins said that in the year to come her organization will seek to reinforce its role as the City’s CAA. She indicated that they have plans to initiate an Urban Community Development Plan aimed at developing and strengthening an integrated system of connectivity between agencies which operate as service providers to individuals and families. “We look forward to strategizing with other social support systems to optimize community resources.”
In his second year serving as Master of Ceremony of the annual meeting, Charles D. Batch once again encouraged and challenged the event attendees to spread the word about PCSI on social media venues. “It is imperative to utilize and enhance your social media skills. In order to understand the language of some of the clients utilizing your services you have to communicate the way they do and that is on Twitter interacting with 140 characters,” he said.
The former Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback for the past 14 years has been operating the Best of the Batch Foundation. The passion of the non-profit organization he describes is helping to unlock potential in financially challenged communities with resources for children and families, by educating and empowering them to give their best efforts in all they do to achieve in becoming the “best of the batch” in life.
Batch also owns the Batch Development Company, Inc. A certified Minority Based Enterprise, the company located in his hometown of Homestead reinvests into the community, creates jobs and opportunities for the surrounding neighborhoods by overseeing the day-to-day management of single family homes and multi-family units which he says provide families a place to call home.
Award recipients of the event held at the Rivers Casino included City of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto receiving the Community Award and Sadie Kroeck, Director of Customer Relations at Peoples received the Partnership/Collaboration Award. David Jones, president and David Barringer, vice president and partner of Allegra Pittsburgh–Images360 received the Corporate Award and Carolyn E. Hill; a retired federal government staff assistant to the late Congressman William Coyne received the Gwen Elliott President’s Award.
LaCal Turner; a participant in the PCSI Work Ready Program received the Self-Sufficiency Award. Pointing out that her hard work has paid off, according to the presenter, Marcus Burkley the self-sufficiency award is the single most prominent award PCSI can bestow. PCSI officials indicate that clients who achieve self-sufficiency are in the process of not requiring any aid, support or interaction for survival, which they consider a type of personal autonomy. Turner is working toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Management and is employed by CVS Caremark. She also serves as a low-income representative on the PCSI Board of Directors.
A special achievement award also was presented to Mary Sirmons who recently retired from PCSI after working there for over a decade. “Mrs. Sirmons sets an example through her actions and deeds,” described Jenkins. “For over ten years she has kept us straight. She has taught, counseled and prayed for us. She has served as a mother, sister and friend.”
Since established in 1983, PCSI has provided a wide range of services making a positive impact within Pittsburgh’s communities. Throughout the years the organization has met the needs of its clients in the areas of employment, entrepreneurship, job training, education, housing, nutrition, and health and income management.
Its clients are below 125 per cent federal poverty guidelines.
The main PCSI office is located at 249 North Craig St. and the Environment and Energy Community Outreach Center is located at the corners of East Liberty Boulevard and Larimer Avenue.
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