By April Rodgers Content Coordinator | FreeWire Magazine
Foster Care Awareness Month is a time to recognize the resilience of children and the heart of families who open their homes. For Rebecca Warren, being placed in the system was a rollercoaster of emotions and homes — and for Mike and Jolene Sibbalds, it’s the beginning of a journey they believe they were meant to take.
Rebecca Warren entered foster care around the age of nine, though she was told she’d been in the system even earlier as a baby. Over the years, she lived in multiple cities and attended many schools— Ashland, Bucyrus, Galion, and Wynford — often moving between homes in attempts to keep her and her siblings together.
Through all the transitions, one thing stayed constant: her desire to stay close to her brothers. “Not being in the next room from my brothers was the hardest,” Rebecca said. “They were — and still are — some of the most important people to me.”
Moving schools, losing friendships, and never knowing when she’d have to start over again left her feeling like she never fully belonged. But there were bright spots too: playing piano with Ms. Anya Shell, staying with foster mom Judy Fox in Galion, and finding a long-time friend — who ended up attending three of the same schools at the same time. “That friendship will always be special to me because through my most difficult times, she was always there,” Rebecca added a heartfelt shoutout: “Thank you, SS.”
Writing poetry and journaling became her emotional outlet, and counseling helped her process things — even though she admits she mostly kept her feelings stuffed down. “I had an ‘it is what it is’ attitude,” she said. It wasn’t until adulthood — especially after the loss of her son to a terminal disease — that she truly began to reflect and live with purpose. “Now, I live for my kids,” she said. “Each day isn’t promised.”
Rebecca credits foster moms Judy Fox and Ms. Anya Shell for helping shape the compassionate woman she is today. “They selflessly took us in and helped when they didn’t have to. I would love to say thank you to both of them, and to Judy’s sister Carol, too. If they were still alive, they’d be ecstatic to know my brother and I still play Canasta to this day!”
Rebecca now gives back as much as she can — especially to children. She donates clothes, toys, and books to organizations that serve foster youth, supports benefits, and takes part in the Butterfly Foundation’s Fundraising Bingo. Every year on her late son’s birthday and angelversary, she picks a random child at a store and buys them toys. “That’s what my foster moms taught me — be a positive person, and help kids however you can.”
She wants people to understand just how much foster care impacts a child’s sense of identity. “Foster parents can be the light for a child. They can show what love and patience really look like. All those kids need is compassion and understanding.”
Her message to other parents? “You never know what a kid is going through at home. Teach your children to be kind — and to include the new kid. That might be the first time someone makes them feel like they belong.”
Opening Their Home — and Their Hearts
Mike and Jolene Sibbalds always wanted to have a family. But after learning they couldn’t have children biologically, they began talking about adoption — and soon realized fostering was the path they were meant to follow.
“We’ve heard how many kids need homes,” the couple shared. “We knew this was right for us.” The Sibbalds are surrounded by children in their lives — from nieces and nephews to friends’ kids, and Jolene’s time volunteering in the church nursery. They’ve even had foster care modeled for them: her sister and brother-in-law have been foster parents themselves, inspiring the couple to prepare for their own journey.
The goal? To foster as many children as they can and adopt two — one for each of the bedrooms in their home. “In our hearts, we’re ready,” they said. They chose Marion as their foster agency and have been impressed by the guidance and support they’ve received every step of the way. “They’ve answered every question and explained every detail.”
The Sibbalds are just beginning their chapter, while Rebecca continues to reflect on hers — but both stories point to the same powerful truth: love, understanding, and commitment can change a child’s life forever.
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