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Aaron's Hosts Corporate Work Program For Atlanta Cristo Rey StudentsATLANTA, 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 opportunties 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. About Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School About the Cristo Rey Network Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161020/430975
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aarons-hosts-corporate-work-program-for-atlanta-cristo-rey-students-300349296.html SOURCE Aaron's, Inc. |