Meet Katie Liberatore | Founder and Executive Director, A Mom’s Guide to Survive

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Liberatore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I didn’t start A Mom’s Guide to Survive because I had a polished business plan. I started it because I was in crisis, and I didn’t want other moms to go through what I went through alone. I was navigating systems that were supposed to help, but instead made things worse. I saw how single moms, especially those living in poverty or surviving abuse, were treated as disposable. I saw how resources were scattered, how support came with conditions, and how silence was expected if you wanted help.

AMGTS came from a place of desperation but also clarity. I knew no one was coming to save us. So I started building something that could. A space where moms are seen, believed, and connected to real-world help. Not handouts. Not pity. Real support. Whether that’s a birthday cake for a child, a ride to court, or a safe place to tell the truth without fear.

Over time, my vision grew. AMGTS isn’t just mutual aid. It is also advocacy. I want to change the way we define neglect, reshape the family law system, and make sure maternal bonds are never treated like they do not matter. I believe that helping a mom survive now is how we protect children long-term. That belief guides everything I do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
A Mom’s Guide to Survive is more than a nonprofit. It’s a movement built from lived experience, grief, rage, and resilience. We serve single moms who are falling through the cracks of a system that was never designed to protect them. Our work includes trauma-informed mutual aid, resource mapping, community connection, and systems advocacy. We help moms survive now, while fighting for the long-term changes that will keep families together and safe.

What sets us apart is that we don’t require perfection to offer support. You don’t need to prove you’re a “good mom” to be worthy of help. You don’t need to show your wounds to get a blanket. We believe survival is enough. And we believe moms should be the ones shaping the solutions.

What I’m most proud of is that this entire organization grew out of one voice telling the truth. That voice was mine, but it opened the door for hundreds more. Our community is growing because we are saying out loud what others are still afraid to admit. I’m excited about the momentum we’re building. We’re working on launching local programs like Born to Shine, which gives birthday experiences to children whose moms are struggling, and Safe Spaces, which helps moms find support and solidarity during home transitions and escaping domestic violence.

Getting here has not been easy. I’ve had to fight through poverty, family court, trauma, and disbelief. There were times I couldn’t afford food or gas but still showed up to help another mom. I’ve worked through heartbreak while writing proposals and answered calls for help while in the middle of panic attacks. But I kept going because the mission is personal. I know what it feels like to be abandoned by the very systems that claim to protect children and families. I also know what it feels like to be seen, and I want every mom to feel that.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that healing and advocacy can exist in the same breath. You can be fighting for justice while still figuring out how to love yourself. You don’t have to be fully healed to help someone else survive.

What I want the world to know is this: mothers are not disposable. We hold generations in our bodies, in our memories, and in our voices. When we support moms, we’re not just helping individuals—we are breaking cycles. That’s what AMGTS is here to do.

Looking ahead, I plan to pursue law school so I can advocate more powerfully for family law reform and maternal rights. I’m also working on a book series called An American Nightmare, which documents my personal story and the patterns I’ve seen across systems. It’s written as a letter to my children and a call to action for future generations. Everything I do now is about creating the kind of world I want them to grow up in. A world where mothers are valued, protected, and free.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I were planning the ultimate girls’ trip here in Colorado Springs, I’d want it to feel like a mix of healing retreat, creative escape, and deep connection. I love the outdoors like most people who live here, but I also love spaces that feel safe, intentional, and led by women. I’d focus the whole week on beauty, breath, and community.

Day 1:
Ease in with a slow walk through the Old North End, my favorite neighborhood in the city. We’d grab coffee and baked goods from Stompin Groundz, a women-owned local gem, then take a walk through Monument Valley Park or drive downtown to get a feel for the city.

Day 2:
Morning visit to Helen Hunt Falls and a walk up Lower Columbine Trail. It’s peaceful, shaded, and just enough elevation to feel accomplished without making anyone pass out from altitude. After, we’d stop by Bloom Lounge, a welcoming spot run by women, perfect for fresh juice or a light bite.

Day 3:
A creative day. We’d hit Auric Gallery to see incredible art (often from local women and BIPOC artists) then shop the boutiques in Old Colorado City. I’d make sure to stop at The Living Room, a women-owned space that feels more like a sanctuary than a store. In the evening, we’d get dinner at La Patrona #2, a vibrant Mexican restaurant owned by a Latina woman with amazing flavors and atmosphere.

Day 4:
A wellness day. Maybe we’d book a group session at Sacred Space Therapeutics, a women-owned holistic practice offering massage, somatic work, and healing circles. If time allows, we could visit SunWater Spa in Manitou Springs for a soak and some quiet time. For dinner or drinks, Pub Dog, (my Pug Roscoe’s favorite spot), where the vibe is casual and welcoming.

Day 5:
A slow day spent outdoors, connecting with nature without pushing too hard. We’d pack hammocks and head to Seven Bridges Trail! It’s one of the city’s most beautiful and accessible trails, perfect for day camping, reading, and soaking in the seasons. It’s shaded, peaceful, and a great place to rest and recharge with friends.

Day 6:
Support local. I’d plan a mini pop-up tour of local businesses in town like Toodles Tearoom for tea, Rocky Mountain Beignets Downtown for a sweet treat, and The Fifty Niner for board games and cocktails. In the evening, we’d get dinner at Four by Brother Luck. Chef Luck is deeply community-rooted, and the experience feels both elevated and intentional.

Day 7:
A rest-and-reflect day. We’d take the dogs to Palmer Park for a slow walk and one last mountain view. Then end the trip with tea and soul talk at the Queen’s Parlour Tea Room at Miramont Castle in Manitou Springs, a magical Victorian setting perfect for quiet reflection before saying goodbye.

Colorado Springs is full of hidden gems run by powerful women. It might not be the loudest city, but it’s full of depth and that’s what I’d want my best friend to remember most.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who helped me keep going, even when I didn’t have the words to ask for help. Some showed up quietly with rides, groceries, or a safe place to cry. Some just listened without judgment when I needed to speak the truth out loud. I want to shout out every mom who has trusted me with her story. Every woman who said, “Me too,” and turned her pain into power instead of staying silent. You’ve given me fuel when I felt empty.

Spiritually, I have to acknowledge the presence of something bigger. There were times I felt like I was losing everything, but I was actually being redirected. I believe in divine timing. I believe my ancestors walk with me. And I believe my children (especially my daughter Anna) are the reason I keep standing. She was taken from me, but she’s also the reason I found my voice.

I also want to thank the women who came before me. The writers, activists, and mothers who fought like hell and told the truth when it wasn’t safe. Books like The Body Keeps the Score, Motherhood So White, and Revolutionary Mothering helped me understand I wasn’t broken. The system is. Their work helped me name what I was experiencing and reminded me that survival is a form of resistance.

And of course… my therapist.

Website: https://amomsguidetosurvive.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amomsguidetosurvive

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amomsguidetosurvive

Other: Email: katie@amomsguidetosurvive.com

Image Credits
All images sourced through Pexels.