1,500 Teen Leaders Converge On Orlando To Tackle Pressing Youth Issues

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Aaron's, Inc. Host National Keystone Conference Encouraging Teens to #OwnYourMagic

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Apr 17, 2015, 11:08 ET

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.

Club youth attend 48th Annual Keystone Conference presented by Aaron's Inc.

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 21^st 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