United Way announces education impact champion

Lisa M. Habe teams up with nonprofit

United Way of Lake County President and CEO Jennifer McCarty recently announced that Lisa M. Habe, president and chairwoman of Interlake Industries, Inc. in Willoughby, has teamed up with the nonprofit organization to serve as its education impact cham- pion.

UWLC has repositioned its funding model to include specific data-driven goals beginning this year, with education marking one of three new goals the organization’s model will work toward impacting; financial stability and health round out the trio.

According to the Ohio Department of Education, 52 percent of Lake County children are not kindergarten ready.

“This means that less than half of our community’s kids enter kindergarten with the sufficient skills, knowledge and abilities to engage in kindergarten-level instruction,” McCarty said.

“Changing the odds takes not only sufficient funds and inventive programs, it takes strong community partners willing to stand up and join us to make an impact,” she added. “Lisa Habe is one of these people. She is passionate about giving local and giving back to her community.”

According to the United Way, studies show that children who begin kindergarten prepared to learn are more likely to stay engaged in school and be on track to graduate from high school; will be less likely to receive government assistance in adulthood; will have lower rates of felony arrest, convictions and incarcerations; and will be more likely to go to college, own a home and earn well above the median income.

As a result of the data reported by the Ohio Department of Education, Habe said too many children start their school careers at a deficit.

“I’ve joined United Way of Lake County to help change the odds,” she added. “Our goal is to give our kids a fighting chance at success that spans from cradle to career.”

Habe recently invested $10,000 in support of UWLC’s education goal, and has a history of volunteerism focusing on education. She has served for several years on the board of the Lakeland Foundation and is an active member of the Women in Manufacturing Group.

Habe and her husband have also been multi-year supporters of the Breakthrough Schools, a network of nonprofit public charter schools in Cleveland.

“Our goal is to increase the percentage of children ready to enter kindergarten prepared to meet every educational milestone and successfully complete their education,” McCarty said.

“I’m grateful for Lisa’s support and am thrilled she’s joined us to advocate on behalf of children in need.”

Habe