Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing surprised teens earlier this month with a newly renovated Keystone Teen Center at the Middlebury Boys & Girls Club of Elkhart County. Through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and input from the teen members, Aaron’s associates and club officials worked on decorating and furnishing a multipurpose space at the club. They revealed the new space equipped with new technology, sectionals, tables, chairs and sound systems on Thursday, March 1.
“The Middlebury Boys & Girls Club provides a space for Elkhart County teens to grow as leaders in the community and cultivates an atmosphere of positivity and encouragement,” says Aaron’s CEO John Robinson. “On our 26th Keystone Teen Center renovation, Aaron’s is proud once again to foster and support our relationship with Boys & Girls Clubs of America by providing teens with the resources and technology that will allow them to excel.”
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.
“Teens who participate in the Boys & Girls Club Keystone program see significant improvements in grades and graduation rates, setting them up for bright futures,” says Middlebury Boys & Girls Club of Elkhart County Unit Director Dan Welch. “Thanks to Aaron’s hard work, our transformed space now has the tools and confidence our Keystone teens need to achieve academic and future professional success.”
Also in attendance was Elkhart County Commissioner Mike Yoder. “Middlebury is a special town and we’re thrilled that Aaron’s and Boys & Girls Clubs of America selected us for a first-class renovation,” says Yoder. “With this makeover, more teens will be excited about coming here every day, helping to boost membership and create community leaders.”
The makeover at Boys & Girls Club of Middlebury includes an additional in-kind retail donation valued at $26,000. The 25 previous Keystone Club makeovers have included Boys & Girls Clubs in cities such as Baltimore, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Nashville, Las Vegas, Chicago and Milwaukee.
Keystone teen members of Boys & Girls Club of Middlebury said the program inspires them to take ownership of their choices to build the lives they deserve. To see photos of the Keystone Club remodel at Boys & Girls Club of Middlebury, visit the Aaron’s Gives webpage, on Facebook or on Twitter. 
Mike Lewis
Mike Lewis is a Premier Rental Purchase franchisee with multiple stores and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. With 33 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, he has spent the past 20 years working closely with franchisee owners and previously spent 12 years in Corporate RTO, gaining a strong foundation in the business.
For the past five years, Mike has been sharing his knowledge by teaching managers and franchisees at the company’s Training Center.
Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, kids, and grandkids, and appreciates the simple things in life – especially riding his Harley Davidson with the sun on his face. If you know, you know!
