ORLANDO, Fla., April 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This
weekend more than 1,500 teen leaders from 157 cities and five
countries will convene in Orlando
to tackle youth issues head-on at Boys & Girls Clubs of
America's (BGCA) 48th Annual Keystone Youth Conference. This year's
gathering, which is one of the largest youth leadership conferences
in the U.S., comes at an opportune time as today's youth are more
motivated than ever to make a difference in their communities and
affect positive change for the world.
At the 2015 Keystone Youth Conference, hosted by BGCA at the
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld and presented by Aaron's, Inc.
(NYSE: AAN), teens will have the opportunity to voice their
opinions about the issues facing America's youth and share their
inspiring visions for change. Under the theme, #OwnYourMagic, these
young leaders will attend leadership workshops and interactive
sessions to learn the 21st century skills and strategies
needed to make a difference in their own lives, in their Clubs,
among their peers and within their communities.
"Character and leadership are at the core of our organization.
The 1,500 teens in attendance at this year's Keystone Conference
have already proven themselves to be great leaders within their
Clubs; after this incredible four-day experience, we're confident
that they will return home ready to achieve a great future," said
Jim Clark, president and CEO of
BGCA. "We are grateful to partners, such as Aaron's, who share our
belief that today's youth can truly impact a positive change on our
world."
During the conference teens will be privy to an action-packed
itinerary of experiences, professional mentors and inspiring
celebrities focused on helping teens define their goals and embrace
the skills to put those goals into action. Popular personalities
and performers joining the festivities will include WNBA player
Skylar Diggins; singer, dancer and
actor Trevor Jackson;
singer/songwriter Gracie Schram;
Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Stacy
Barthe; and the all-girl band, Epic.
"We recognize that teens are leaders today, not only in school
but within their Clubs, their local communities and beyond. With
access to resources that better inform and connect them with the
world, teens are able to take unprecedented steps to shape their
own future and the future of their communities," said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc. "We're
honored to be part of the 2015 National Keystone Conference and we
are proud to help Keystone teens develop their path to
leadership."
About Aaron's, Inc.
Aaron's,
Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leader in the sales and lease ownership
and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home
appliances and accessories, currently has more than 2,100
Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and
Canada. Aaron's was founded in
1955, is headquartered in Atlanta and has been publicly
traded since 1982. Progressive Leasing, a wholly owned
subsidiary and leading virtual lease-to-own company, provides
lease-purchase solutions through approximately 15,000 retail
locations in 46 states. Aaron's, Inc. includes the
Aarons.com, ShopHomeSmart.com and ProgLeasing.com brands. For
more information, visit www.aarons.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than
100 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 4,100
Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually 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, friendship, and high-impact youth
development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school
hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character
and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of
alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National
headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at
http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
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SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America