“Charlie has been such an inspiration and an example for our players and everybody in this community,” Rooney said. “It’s an honor to be here.”

Another of my favorite moments came from Latasha, who joked that her staff was taking bets on when she’d start crying. Wilson-Batch talked about the education gap they’re trying to close with not only reading help but things like a STEAM lab; robotics, coding and music education programs; plus a ballet studio, emotional support room and restaurant-grade kitchen.

It’s all created to avoid the look and feel of school, encouraging kids to have fun and keep coming back.

“When you have a sixth-grader saying they’re at a fourth-grade reading level, that’s a problem,” Wilson-Batch said. “We have a responsibility to change those things.

“We’re in the business of tricking kids to do educational programming. So we’ll fill up a water balloon, but they’re gonna know exactly how many ounces go in that balloon and how hard they have to throw it.”

After the formal part of the event ended, I found myself chatting some Pirates with Zach Brenner, who grew up in the area, went to Steel Valley and was actually better friends with Charlie’s younger brother Vernon.

A plumber by trade, Brenner has done contracting work for the Batches and handled the landscaping outside for Wednesday’s event. I asked him to put into perspective what Batch has meant for the Homestead community.

“Charlie and Latasha, man, they’re just two great human beings,” Brenner said. “But they’re also out at basketball games and community events. Just super approachable and always wanting to help those around them.”

As I looked at the poster of the single house Rooney mentioned, I couldn’t help but laugh at the premise that the Steelers really thought signing Batch would be about his work as a quarterback.

“A place like this is needed so much in today’s day and age,” said former county executive Rich Fitzgerald, who was part of the group that originally authorized funding for the groundbreaking five years ago. “Keep up the great work, Charlie. Keep doing this for another 25 years and help these kids out.”

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