Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions, and its divisions Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing, presented teens on Wednesday with a newly renovated Keystone Teen Center at the Parkview Boys & Girls Club of Huntington County in Indiana.
Through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and input from the teen members, Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing associates and Club officials worked last Monday painting, updating a gym, and decorating and furnishing the Teen Club Café and Lounge. On Wednesday, local Aaron’s associates, Progressive Leasing associates and Club officials unveiled the newly-remodeled rooms now equipped with new technology, sectionals, tables and chairs, sound systems and fresh coats of paint. Teens chose the special Sherwin-Williams™ paint colors for the rooms: Deep Sea Blue; Lavish Lavender; Network Gray; and Chalkboard Paint.
“The Parkview Boys & Girls Club is committed to helping its teen members achieve academic success and provide opportunities to practice good citizenship, so it’s essential that they have a state-of-the-art environment to help facilitate those goals,” said John Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aaron’s, Inc. “Aaron’s is thrilled to make this Club a place that teens can be proud of and help inspire them to work hard and own their futures.”
Huntington Mayor Brooks Fetters attended the surprise unveiling and congratulated the teens. “I’ve spent most of my life in Huntington and the Club has always been a powerful resource for our community’s youth,” he said. “With this renovation, Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing has helped improve this space and made it a location Huntington teens are excited to come to every single day.”
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.
The 16 previous Keystone Club makeovers have included Boys & Girls Clubs in cities across the nation such as Los Angeles, San Antonio, Nashville, Buffalo, Dallas and Miami. The makeover at the Parkview Boys & Girls Club of Huntington County includes an additional in-kind retail donation valued at $28,000.
“Teens who attend Boys & Girls Clubs are shown to have improvements in grades, graduation rates and much more,” said Mandy Reber, Executive Director of the Parkview Boys & Girls Club of Huntington County. “We serve hundreds of kids every day and thanks to Aaron’s we’re now well-equipped to provide them with a safe, modern space to help them become leaders in our community.”
Aaron’s partnership with BGCA’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.