Her Husband Died Suddenly—Now She’s Helping Hundreds of Single Moms Chase Their Dreams

Katie Bunnell stood in her new Lehi, Utah, home cradling her baby girl, Kali. Everything’s going so well, she thought. But that night, her husband Byron had a stroke and tragically passed in his sleep.

For months, Katie lived in a fog of grief. With no life insurance and a baby to care for, she had to sell her house and move. To keep the lights on, Katie turned her living room into a beauty salon, and with the money she earned and help from her family, she managed to barely stay afloat.

Then one day, her mother-in-law, DeeAnn, offered an idea. “Have you thought about going to college?”

Katie laughed. “College is for smart people,” she scoffed.

“You are smart,” DeeAnn insisted. “I’ll enroll with you!”

As Katie tucked Kali in bed that night, she realized, I have to try—for her.

Katie and DeeAnn enrolled in the same general education classes and studied together. “Maybe Mommy is smart,” she cooed to her little girl.

DeeAnn went into nursing, while Katie studied business. After two and a half years, she graduated with a 3.8 GPA.

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Navy Wife Turns Personal Pain Into Support for Military Families

Crystal knew the stress of being a military spouse — being constantly on the move made it difficult to put down roots or build a steady support network. But when she realized military spouses received far less help and support than their partners, she felt called to action! Here, she shares her story with Woman’s […]

Along the way, Katie met many other single moms striving for better futures. Once she found her footing, she decided it was time to give back.

Remembering a grant she’d received from a widow’s scholarship, Katie created the Live Your Dream Foundation (LiveYourDreamFoundation.org), and held 5Ks, water rafting races and a golf tournament to raise money to help single moms with tuition.

One recipient was Erica Hammon, a single mom studying special education. “I’m not just helping you—I’m helping all the kids you will help in the future,” Katie told her.

Another young mom, Eva Calvillo, dreamed of becoming a social worker. With two Live Your Dream Foundation scholarships, she earned her degree and now works in hospitals and schools. Her salary has doubled, and she’s preparing to build a home.

“I owe Katie so much,” she says. “She helped show my kids dreams can come true.”

Over the past 16 years, Katie has helped hundreds of moms—from widows to women rebuilding after abuse.

Life

A Dying Mom’s Last Words Saved Heather’s Life—and Launched a Movement

When Heather Salazar adopted baby Lexi, she never imagined the child’s dying mother would save her life. Alexis’ final words about breast cancer screenings led to Heather’s early diagnosis—and inspired her to create Pink Ribbon Good, which has now delivered over a million meals to cancer fighters nationwide. Here, they share their story. There’s a […]

“You got this,” reads the bracelet she gives each recipient. Many break down in tears, moved that someone finally believes in them.

Each Mother’s Day, Katie and scholarship recipients assemble over 400 gift baskets for moms in the program.

“They deserve it,” says Katie. “They are building better lives for themselves and their families!”