ATLANTA, Dec. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc.
(NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase
solutions, and its divisions Aaron's and Progressive Leasing,
recently renovated Manassas, Va.
and Los Angeles area Keystone Teen
Centers, surprising teens with fresh paint, new furniture,
technology and appliances.
Through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(BGCA) and input from the teen members, Aaron's associates and Club
officials decorated and furnished the Clubs' multipurpose spaces.
Local Aaron's associates and Club officials revealed the new
spaces, which are now equipped with new technology, sectionals,
tables and chairs and sound systems.
"As part of our renewed three-year, $5
million gift to the Keystone Program announced in September,
we are continuing our commitment to complete 24 Keystone Club
makeovers during the next three years," said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc. "These
renovated spaces are vital to help Keystone teens have a safe place
to grow and learn as they develop into leaders in their own
communities."
In September 2018, the Aaron's
Foundation renewed its national partnership with BGCA. The
continued partnership supports Keystone Club, BGCA's premier
national teen leadership and character program, for an additional
three years with a $5 million
commitment. This follows the 2015 Aaron's Foundation's three-year
national partnership with BGCA's Keystone Program, helping
underserved teens ages 14-18 develop their character and leadership
skills in hopes of helping them reach their potential and creating
positive change in their communities.
"Our Club serves over 1,200 members and our goal every year is
to help more underserved youth of all backgrounds build confidence,
develop character and acquire the skills needed to become
productive, civic-minded, responsible adults," said Forrest Parker, branch director of the Martin K.
Alloy Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Manassas.
"At the Boys & Girls Club of Fontana, we work hard to instill confidence
and self-worth in our teens, so they can live meaningful lives,"
said Terrie Schneider, executive
director of the Boys & Girls Club of Fontana. "The renovation generously provided
by Aaron's will allow us to further our mission and help youth in
the Fontana community to grow into
successful and thriving adults."
Over the past several years, Aaron's has performed 32 makeovers
at Teen Centers in cities such as Atlanta, Cincinnati, Chicago, Salt Lake
City, Baltimore,
Nashville and San Antonio. The makeovers were made possible
by Aaron's in-kind donation of furniture, electronics and
appliances and the hard work of the company's employees.
Keystone teen members of the Martin K. Alloy Clubhouse of
the Boys & Girls Club of Manassas and the Boys & Girls Club of
Fontana said the program inspires
them to take ownership of their choices to build the lives they
deserve.
- "Keystone inspires me to set higher expectations for
myself." Alexis H., 15
- "The Club to me is a place where I can grow and it has made
a huge impact in my life." Cynthia C., 17
- "Keystone has inspired me to become the best version of
myself. They've provided me with opportunities to grow, learn, and
develop as I prepare in my teens to become a responsible and
successful young adult." Kion M., 16
- "Keystone has taught me to be responsible. Without this
program, I would not be where I'm at, they taught me how to make
the best out of everything." Andee A., 17
- "Keystone, a club of cooperation, makes our club and
community a better place. Keystone inspires me to become the best
person I can be." Juan N., 16
- "I have been a member at the club for 11 years. Keystone has
helped me become who I am today. They continue to give me many
opportunities to learn and grow and become who I am meant to be."
KayDee R., 15
America's teens are in crisis. One in five students will not
graduate from high school, costing the nation $159
billion over their lifetimes. Through Keystone and other BGCA
programs, Aaron's is helping teens take ownership of
their lives to achieve their maximum
potential. Aaron's hopes to inspire teens to "Own Their
Future" through three principles:
- Own Your Path: No matter where you come from, the future
is yours to decide.
- Own Your Decisions: Making good choices opens more doors
for your future.
- Own Your Community: Use your talents to make an impact
in your community.
Keystone Club is a BGCA program available at Clubs
nationwide and BGCA-affiliated youth centers on U.S. military
installations here and abroad. The program creates opportunities
for teens to participate in a variety of developmental activities
in education, career preparation and civic engagement. The program
is an essential element of BGCA's strategy to engage and develop
teens into productive citizens and leaders.
To see photos of the Keystone Club remodel at the Martin K.
Alloy Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Manassas and the Boys & Girls Club of
Fontana, visit Aaron's on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/aaronsinc).
About Aaron's, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's,
Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a leading omnichannel provider of
lease-purchase solutions. Progressive Leasing, a virtual
lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through
more than 20,000 retail locations in 46 states. In addition, the
Aaron's Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and
specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home
appliances and accessories through its approximately 1,700
Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states, Canada, and Puerto
Rico, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com.
Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of
second-look credit products that are originated through federally
insured banks. For more information, visit investor.aarons.com,
Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great
futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,400
Clubs serve 4 million young people through Club membership and
community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public
housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve
military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military
installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult
mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development
programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club
programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship,
and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent
said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located
in Atlanta. Learn more at Facebook
and Twitter.
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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.