Sharing Involvement With Brothers and Sisters: The SIBS Organization 
by Barb Quaintance
Siblings have lifelong relationships that can bring great joy. But there are also challenges in any relationship, including relationships with our special family members. The Misericordia SIBS organization celebrates those sibling relationships. Its members are actively engaged in the lives of their brothers and sisters and in the broader Misericordia community.
The SIBS organization has four core elements:
- Active Involvement: SIBS are actively engaged in the lives of their resident sibling and their family.
- Support and Networking: SIBS share experiences and navigate the journey that will lead many of them to guardianship.
- Events: SIBS work on many fundraising events with the goal of not just raising money but of bringing families together.
- Advocacy and Education: SIBS are engaged in legislative and policy issues that directly affect the MIs community.
The SIBS organization formally meets once a year; the theme of this year’s meeting was “One Heart, Many Roles". But SIBS involvement doesn’t stop there. They connect throughout the year via Facebook and Instagram, which is especially useful for members who live out of town or who cannot volunteer on campus as much as they might like. SIBS also participate in the new family orientation to provide the sibling perspective as families come to Misericordia.
Erica Halleran Barlow is the current president of the Misericordia SIBS organization. She speaks lovingly about her brother, Matthew, who has lived at Misericordia for 24 years and who now resides at Marian Center. And she speaks passionately about the value of knowing others Misericordia siblings. “You’re not in this alone” is an important message that SIBS sends to its members, says Erica.
"Connection” is another word that Erica uses frequently. Through volunteering, SIBS meet each other, have lots of fun, and work toward shared goals. The largest SIBS event is "The Artist in All". It takes hundreds of volunteer hours and dozens of volunteers to pull off this spectacular event at The Art Institute of Chicago. The SIBS organization is also responsible for the Halloween Party, but it doesn’t stop there! SIBS volunteers have a Family Fest tent, work on Candy Days, staff Sunday brunches, and hold family fundraisers, among other things. And it is a family affair. Many SIBS bring their children to events (and put them to work!) so the children can be part of the life of their special aunt or uncle.
In addition to their personal relationship with their sibling, SIBS members face the very real possibility of becoming their resident's guardian one day. Many of the SIBS are working parents with young families of their own. How do they balance their multiple responsibilities? At the most basic level, SIBS can share their journeys with others and talk about what’s ahead, learning from each other’s experiences. As their parents age, many SIBS shadow them, learning what their parents do as guardians and begin to share in the process. Erica Barlow calls this being their parents' “apprentice". SIBS might begin taking their resident to doctors’ appointments, learn their medication protocol, or bring them home on family visit weekends.
For more information or to get involved with the Misericordia SIBS, contact Erica Halleran Barlow at
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