ATLANTA, March 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 2,500
teen leaders from around the country convened in Chicago this week for Boys & Girls Clubs
of America's 50th annual Keystone Conference presented
by Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN) a leading omnichannel provider of
lease-purchase solutions, and its divisions Aaron's and Progressive
Leasing. This morning, teens participated in a session on community
policing featuring Grammy and Oscar winner Common, learning how to
engage in conversations that help bridge relationships between
teens and law enforcement. The conference kicked-off earlier this
week with a newly renovated teen center at the Miguel A. Barreto
Union League Boys & Girls Club in Chicago thanks to national partner
Aaron's.
The theme of this year's conference is "Activate Your Legacy,"
showing teens how they can develop and enhance leadership skills
enabling participants to be leaders and ambassadors in their Clubs
and communities. The first Keystone conference, in 1967, also took
place in Chicago.
"Each day, Boys & Girls Clubs around the country inspire and
empower teens to elevate their voice and activate their legacy to
build a great future," said Jim
Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of
America. "Thanks to the support of partners like Aaron's, thousands
of teens will realize opportunities to lead and make a difference
in their Clubs and communities through the Keystone Club. The
50th anniversary of the Keystone Conference is a
celebration of our incredible teens and the legacy of millions of
Club alumni who have found their voice through their Boys &
Girls Club."
The Miguel A. Barreto remodel was the 18th renovation
made possible through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of
America and Aaron's. With input from the teen members, Aaron's
associates and Club officials worked Monday painting, decorating
and furnishing a study, games and lounge area the Club. On
Wednesday, local Aaron's associates and Club officials unveiled the
new space, which is now equipped with new technology, sectionals,
tables and chairs, sound systems and fresh coats of paint.
"For five decades, Keystone, Boys & Girls Club of America's
premier teen leadership program has transformed the lives of youth
across our country, and Aaron's is honored to help make a
difference in these teens' lives," said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc. "The 50th
Annual Keystone Conference is a shining example of how young people
can learn to be leaders and affect social change even at their
young age. Aaron's is grateful to help America's teens realize
their potential by investing in this instrumental program."
In 2015, the Aaron's Foundation, Inc. announced a three-year,
$5 million national partnership with
Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Keystone Program, helping teens
develop their character and leadership skills in hopes of helping
them reach their potential and creating positive change in the
community. Keystone Club teen centers provide members ages 14-18 an
environment to plan and participate in activities that focus on
community service, academic success, career preparation and teen
outreach.
Aaron's partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America's
Keystone Program inspires teens to "Own It" by taking ownership of
their choices to build the lives they deserve. The Aaron's and
Keystone Club "Own Your Future" campaign supports 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.
To see photos of the Keystone Club remodel and the
50th Keystone Conference, visit Boys & Girls Clubs
of America's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bgca) or Aaron's on
Facebook (www.facebook.com/aaronsinc), on Twitter
(www.twitter.com/AaronsInc) and at www.AaronsGives.com.
About Aaron's, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a
leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. Aaron's
Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty
retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and
accessories through its more than 1,860 Company-operated and
franchised stores in 47 states and Canada as well as its e-commerce platform
Aarons.com. In addition, Progressive Leasing, a virtual
lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through
approximately 22,000 retail locations in 46 states. 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
(GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in
need to achieve great futures as productive, caring,
responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve nearly 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
www.facebook.com/bgca.clubs and https://twitter.com/BGCA_Clubs.
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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.