Help me get a car for work & school

A little background on me: Twelve years ago, I was diagnosed with chronic depression and anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, what started as mismanagement, on my own part as much as my doctor's, reached a point where I was so medicated that I couldn't feel anything. Instead of finding a new doctor and trying other treatment methods, I went off my meds. Not good. After coming to the realization that I had been one step down from a hermit  and was wasting my life, I went to a new doctor, got on a lower dose of medication, and began personally working to fight through many of the bad habits and ideas that were making things worse for me. I went back to work for the first time in years, and in something I never would have thought possible, I work with the public. I began making plans to go back to school, but a variety of issues involving my grades and other paperwork have delayed that from happening, but it appears that everything is finally read to go for the Fall 2015 semester.

My car broke down at the end of April. Since then, I have been getting to work by catching rides or occasionally borrowing a car. I haven't missed a single shift and have only been a few minutes late a couple of times. At times, I've been a couple of hours early, because that was the only way I could get there. 

I only get part time hours. That's unfortunately all that is available around here. I live in a rural area of east Tennessee. According to 2012 data from the Census Bureau, over 25% of people in the county live below the poverty level. Things are a little up right now due to the boost in tourism to a local lake. Once that drops, so will hours, and so will the number of people with part time spots. Mine, thankfully, is pretty secure. 

I pretty much have no credit. A car dealer told me, "If you had $10,000 in credit card debt, it would be easier for me to work with you." I'm not asking for help to buy something brand new. I don't need something brand new. I just need something dependable so I can do everything I need for work and school and continuing to finally get my life on track. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.