The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN – Teens at Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis have a positive place to hang out and call their own, thanks to a joint venture with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Rent-A-Center, Inc. Teenagers are a tough group to impress, but the refurbished “RAC Rooms” will help attract more teens by updating the furnishings to the teen center at the Club.

“Across the country, millions of teens grow up with no place to go after school,” said Rick Whitten, Executive Director.  “Many of them have limited contact with positive peers or caring adults. And all too frequently, these young people resort to drugs and violence as an alternative to boredom.  The RAC Room will be a comfortable place for teens to enjoy, while exposing them to alternatives to the many negative influences around them.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis RAC Room is one of several such centers being refurbished by Rent-A-Center this year.  Based on its needs, each Club will select several thousand dollars worth of merchandise from a menu of items, such as sofas, chairs, tables, computers, computer desks, lamps, TVs, TV stands, game systems and CD players.  Rent-A-Center also guarantees a one-year maintenance service on all merchandise provided. The Rent-A-Center RAC Room program has awarded approximately $100,000 in merchandise yearly to 20 clubs since 2006.

Teens will now have an upgraded Teen Center that will allow them to have access to more computers, desk space and even comfortable couches to read books or participate in tutoring sessions. These upgraded items will assist in serving the over 8,800 youth that BGCI serves each year.

“Rent-A-Center is honored to be a part of this initiative with Boys & Girls Clubs of America,” said Mark Speese, Rent-A-Center chairman and CEO.  “By creating an inviting atmosphere, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis RAC Room will offer teen members an experience to look forward to and an incentive to stay in the Club.”

Since 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis have served the Indianapolis community.  With seven Club locations, the Clubs provide programs for over 8,000 youth in the areas of career exploration and educational enhancement, citizenship and leadership, the arts, and health and fitness.  For additional information, please call 920-4700 or visit www.bgcindy.org.

Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII), headquartered in Plano, Texas, operates more than 3,000 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada with a focus on home furnishings and financial services.  The company employs more than 21,600 coworkers.”  Learn more about us at www.rentacenter.com.