More than fifteen years ago, Catherine Morse had given birth to her second child, Robbie. Both she and her husband, Kevin, had successful careers as lawyers; and their three-year-old son Mitch was happy and healthy. Life seemed idyllic.

At four months old, Robbie suffered a life-threatening brain injury while in the care of a nanny. As a result, her child now had profound special needs and the family's trust in others was shattered. Kevin quit work to care for Robbie, taking him to endless medical and therapy appointments. It was an isolating and lonely existence for the family that worried about Robbie's future.

It also was the beginning of Catherine's search to find a childcare center that would allow Robbie to thrive as well as handle his special educational and medical needs. A chance conversation with a neighbor led Catherine to uncover an accredited childcare center on Austin's east side that she calls "magical."

Early childhood education is so important that United Way Capital Area works closely with childcare centers to become accredited, as well as offers subsidies so that low-income families can afford these quality-rated programs. Today, more than 40 percent of Central Texas children enter kindergarten 1 to 2 years behind their peers as the result of inadequate education during their early years.

A quality educational environment that welcomes special needs children is exactly what Catherine found at UWCA partner, Open Door Preschool. Despite a waiting list, Robbie was immediately accepted as a special needs student. The staff was unfazed by his needs even though he could not hold his head up and was visually impaired. Nearly 40 percent of families are low-income and receive tuition subsidies funded by UWCA.

While at Open Door, Robbie also received early childhood intervention services from another UWCA partner. Catherine said this was the beginning of the healing process for her family. "We knew Robbie was in a safe environment and was receiving quality care," she said. Last year, Catherine had a chance to advocate in a big way on behalf of early childhood education and the importance of quality childcare. As the Director of Public Affairs and General Counsel for Samsung Austin Semiconductor, she was charged with finding a unique way to celebrate the expansion of its semiconductor manufacturing plant.

The result was a $1 million contribution to the community to expand the work of UWCA's Success By 6 program. Part of the funding is being used to finance a study which will track developmental data of children under 5 in neighborhoods plagued by poverty. This will allow UWCA to direct and prioritize early childhood services to the specific needs of children in that area.

What began with a tragic incident has resulted in Catherine becoming even more involved in volunteer efforts. Today, she serves as a UWCA Board member and on the Success By 6 Leadership Council.

"The needs of the world are infinite. When we see a need or something calls to us, we need to respond. It's the way to live a more joyful and fulfilling life. It's in giving that we receive."