Ep. 16 - Betteralife (a local nonprofit) is transforming lives one meal at a time!

Elizabeth Ford grew up in Reston, VA, where her early years were marked by hardship and hunger. At just seven years old, she experienced food insecurity firsthand when her babysitter—who often provided her only evening meal, a slice of hotdog on toast—turned her away because her mother couldn’t afford to pay. This moment was just the beginning of a childhood filled with instability and uncertainty.

Frequent evictions forced Elizabeth and her mother to move constantly, leaving her without a reliable source of nourishment and guidance. She often sat outside a local 7-Eleven, asking passersby for quarters to buy hotdogs or whatever food she could afford. With her mother struggling with mental health challenges, Elizabeth had to fend for herself in a community where resources like food pantries were nonexistent. By 19, she was homeless, living in a hotel learning how to survive on her own.

Without a stable home or support system, education took a backseat to survival. Elizabeth dropped out of high school after ninth grade, later earning her GED while working multiple jobs—often waiting tables and pulling double shifts just to secure a meal. During this period, she also endured a decade-long abusive marriage, unaware of what a healthy, loving relationship looked like, all while fighting to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Determined to rewrite her story, Elizabeth eventually became a single mother, balancing full-time work with online college courses. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in IT with a specialization in Advanced Networking, which led to a successful career in IT security for the government and contractors. Yet, despite her professional achievements, her past struggles with hunger and hardship remained at the forefront of her mind, fueling her passion for change.

Today, Elizabeth is remarried and part of a blended family with five children. She now devotes herself full-time to BetterALife, the nonprofit she founded to combat childhood hunger. Alongside her family, she works to expand the organization’s reach nationwide, ensuring that no child has to experience the same uncertainty she once faced. Through her dedication and resilience, she is transforming lives—one meal at a time.

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