ATLANTA, Oct. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc.
(NYSE: AAN), a leader in the sales and lease ownership and
specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home
appliances and accessories, has partnered with the Cristo Rey
Jesuit High School Corporate Work Study Program to provide eight
high school students with a work/study program during the 2016-2017
school year.
One of the 32 schools in the nationwide Cristo Rey Network,
Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School is a college preparatory high
school for underrepresented urban youth. In 2003, The Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation, along with venture philanthropists B.J.
and Bebe Cassin, provided seed
funding to promote the replication of the Cristo Rey schools.
Through rigorous academics, coupled with real world work
experience, Cristo Rey students graduate high school prepared for
success in college and in life.
As part of the school's Corporate Work Study Program, each of
Aaron's eight sponsored Cristo Rey Atlanta students will work five
full days a month at Aaron's corporate office. This educational
initiative aims to transform the lives of low-income, underserved
students in Atlanta.
"We have already been incredibly impressed by the Cristo Rey
students and their enthusiasm to learn and participate in daily
work/study opportunities here at Aaron's," said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron's, Inc. "In order to
have economically-thriving communities, it's critical that we
provide opportunities where young people are prepared and accepted
into colleges that will ultimately support a strong career. Aaron's
is excited to offer these teens work experience in a fast-paced
business environment that they will recall for years to come."
By enrolling in this program, students earn the majority of the
cost of their own education, and gain valuable real-world job
skills, contacts and experience. Cristo Rey Network students go on
to college in record numbers, in large part because of their early
exposure to the working world. By matching business interests with
the educational and economic needs of lower-income students, the
program gives at-risk young people their best chance of overcoming
the financial barriers that limit their educational and
professional opportunities.
"Many good students from low income families in Atlanta have no hope," said Bill Garrett, President Cristo Rey Atlanta
Jesuit High School. "The Cristo Rey solution provides a rigorous
college preparatory academic environment and surrounds the students
with people and resources to drive success to assure that each
Cristo Rey graduate is accepted to college."
Aaron's has a long legacy of giving back, a commitment that was
started by founder Charlie
Loudermilk and continues today through Aaron's Gives
(www.AaronsGives.com) philanthropic efforts including Aaron's
Foundation, Inc. and the Aaron's Community Outreach Program
(ACORP). The Aaron's Foundation, Inc. mission is to commit to
strengthening the communities in which Aaron's operates, with a
focus on improving the life prospects of at-risk youth. Aaron's
provides at-risk youth with the tools, resources and skills to
achieve their goals and to become productive, contributing members
of their communities.
About Aaron's, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN) is a leader
in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of
furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories,
and currently has more than 1,930 Company-operated and franchised
stores in 47 states and Canada.
Progressive Leasing, a leading virtual lease-to-own company,
provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 16,000
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 a federally insured bank. Aaron's was
founded in 1955, has been publicly traded since 1982 and owns the
Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com brands. For more
information, visit www.aarons.com.
About Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School
Cristo Rey
Atlanta Jesuit High School is a Catholic learning community that
educates young people of limited economic means to become men and
women of faith, purpose, and service. Cristo Rey Atlanta is located
at 680 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta,
Georgia 30308, and is part of the Cristo Rey Network.
About the Cristo Rey Network
The Cristo Rey Network
provides a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to
young people who live in urban communities with limited educational
options. Our mission is clear – college success for Cristo Rey
Network students. Member schools utilize a rigorous academic model,
supported with effective instruction, to prepare students with a
broad range of academic abilities for college. Cristo Rey Network
schools employ an innovative Corporate Work Study Program that
provides students with real world work experiences. Every student
works five full days a month to fund the majority of his or her
education, gain job experience, grow in self-confidence, and
realize the relevance of his or her education. Students work at law
firms, banks, hospitals, universities, and other professional
Corporate Partners.
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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.