PRSA Pittsburgh Public Service

PRSA Pittsburgh Providing Public Relations Support to Willissae’s Agency for Vision and Empowerment (WAVE) 

PITTSBURGH (September 9, 2024) – PRSA Pittsburgh, the region’s largest professional organization for public relations professionals, partnered with the nonprofit organization Willissae’s Agency for Vision and Empowerment (WAVE) for its 2024 Public Service Project. The PRSA Pittsburgh Public Service Project is an annual initiative with goals of supporting local nonprofits and providing hands-on experience to its members.

As WAVE transitions to a new office space in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood, PRSA Pittsburgh is providing strategic communication support surrounding the move, bringing attention to WAVE’s work in the community and raising awareness of its available services.

WAVE, an approved Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Counseling Agency, serves low-to-moderate income families by providing housing advocacy support for renters and homebuyers. Through budget coaching, rental counseling, personal empowerment planning, credit counseling and specialized debt management programs, WAVE is dedicated to creating housing opportunities and economic stability for at-risk individuals in low-income communities.

Founded by Charlise Smith and named in honor of her mother, WAVE is driven by Smith’s personal experiences with trauma. Rooted in her own journey of recovery, WAVE strives to help individuals impacted by trauma reclaim their lives with dignity and strength. WAVE’s long-term, holistic education programs address rental housing, home ownership, eviction/foreclosure, homelessness prevention, financial stability, and trauma.

“Our partnership with PRSA Pittsburgh has been a tremendous blessing,” shared Smith. “As a grassroots organization with ambitious goals, we are deeply committed to supporting families in our community. We greatly appreciate the professional promotional support we receive from this partnership, which enhances our ability to make a significant impact.”

The opening of WAVE’s new office will be celebrated with a grand-reopening ceremony where local community members can learn more about WAVE’s mission and work. As an organization committed to helping individuals build resilience through counseling and education, WAVE’s goal is to empower each person it serves, guiding them towards a healthier, more fulfilling future, anchored in personal growth and sustained recovery.

WAVE’s new location created an opportunity for expanded services. WAVE’s Tenant Resource and Support Center is launching three new programs to empower families and strengthen its community. The WAVE Housing Support Program offers comprehensive rental education and tenant support, the WAVE READY Program provides holistic support with health coaching, life skills training, and financial empowerment, and the WAVE Tenant Advocacy and Landlord Support Program delivers robust tenant advocacy and landlord support. 

PRSA Pittsburgh has supported public service projects for more than ten years. PRSA Pittsburgh is one of the few PRSA chapters to offer pro-bono services. In 2023, PRSA Eastern Central District awarded PRSA Pittsburgh the PRominent Chapter Award for its work in this area. The PRSA Pittsburgh public service project is an annual initiative with goals of supporting local nonprofits and providing hands-on experience with its members. 

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About PRSA Pittsburgh
PRSA Pittsburgh is one of the largest chapters within the East Central District, one of 10 PRSA districts. The East Central District represents members in 16 PRSA chapters concentrated in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Western and Northwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. PRSA Pittsburgh believes public relations serves an increasingly vital role in the leadership, business, marketing, and communications functions of all organizations, and we aim to provide our members with the tools, support, education, and networking to play this role in their respective organizations. Learn more about PRSA Pittsburgh at www.prsa-pgh.org or email jocelynbuhite@gmail.com.

About WAVE

WAVE is an approved Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and an approved HUD Housing Counseling Agency that serves low to moderate income families. WAVE provides a long-term, holistic education program with wrap-around services that address home ownership, eviction/foreclosure, homelessness prevention, post traumatic stress and more. Learn more about WAVE at www.waveoflife.org or email info@waveoflife.org. 

Attention, PRSA Members: Volunteers Needed

Whether you’re a seasoned communicator or young professional, PRSA Pittsburgh needs your skills to support this year’s public service partner. The public service committee is looking for contributors with interest and/or experience in:

  • Public relations strategy and tactics
  • Multi-channel marketing and analytics
  • Social media strategy and content creation
  • Web design and analytics

The committee will meet bi-weekly through 2024 to support the selected project.

If you are interested in joining the 2024 public service committee, email Public Service Chair Jocelyn Buhite at jocelynbuhite@gmail.com.