Aaron’s funded a renovated teen room at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi Sykes Unit in Jackson, where young members saw the completed space for the first time during an unveiling ceremony.
What happens when Aaron’s brings its Safe Space Initiative to the Sykes Unit?
The renovated teen room was funded by national rent-to-own company Aaron’s as part of its Safe Space Initiative. The unveiling took place at the Sykes Unit in Jackson, giving teens their first look at the refreshed space.
Students were involved in selecting the items that now fill the room. The selections included video games, arcade basketball hoops, laptops, rugs, televisions, couches, and furniture. Two teen members described the atmosphere as immediately active, with multiple young people using different parts of the room at the same time.
What if teen-led choices define what a “safe space” looks like?
The renovation centered on student input, with young members participating in choosing what would go into the room. One member, Jaylen J., described picking out items such as rugs, TVs, games, couches, and furniture, and said the space looked good and that they were about to have fun.
Another member, Denver R., emphasized the practical impact of the redesign, pointing to how the room was already being used across different activities.
What happens when funding extends beyond the renovation itself?
Aaron’s funded the $20, 000 renovation project and also presented the club with an additional $10, 000 check designated for resources and programming.
Naomi Jackson, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Club Jackson, framed the renovation as a response to a broader need for teens in the area, emphasizing the importance of a place where teens can feel safe, confident, and a sense of belonging.
The Jackson project was described as the 69th renovation Aaron’s has completed nationwide since 2015.
