United Way Scholarship Helps Fort Worth Woman Rebuild Her life

If you don’t believe life offers second chances, talk to Katie McNabney, one of the women attending Tarrant County College on scholarships made possible by the United Way Women’s Fund.

“About three years ago I was in a very bad place in my life,” she said recently. “I had pushed everyone away from me, was drinking and doing drugs, and was a mess. I got into a really bad car accident that probably should have killed me. Through the grace of God I’m still here.

“At that point I got put in jail, and when I was in jail I had nowhere else to go but on my knees. I decided to make a change.”

Katie, now age 30, went into rehab for about 30 days and then to a halfway house for another two months. Afterward she lived at the YWCA of Fort Worth & Tarrant County for about seven months as part of its supportive living program. “The YWCA changed my life mentally, emotionally, physically, everything,” she said. “It was kind of me starting my life over again.”

Katie had always wanted to go to college and get a degree, but there was “no way” she could afford it on her own. Then she applied for, and received, a United Way scholarship that pays for tuition and books. “When I got the scholarship, I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy,” she said. “It’s definitely taken a huge amount of stress off my shoulders, just knowing I have it.”

In addition to her school schedule, the Fort Worth resident works as a dental assistant in Southlake. She plans to finish her Associate in Arts Degree at TCC in two or three more semesters, then transfer to the University of Texas at Arlington to complete a bachelor’s degree in education. “I would love to work with kids. I’m thinking of teaching first or second grade,” she said.

Katie McNabney is proof that perseverance and some help from others can lead to a second chance in life when you need it most.