Meet Barbara Wibe | Founder

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

Hi Barbara, do you have a budget? How do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?
One of the biggest challenges parents face when their child is hospitalized is the financial strain of having to stay bedside. Many moms and dads miss work during these critical times, which can mean lost income on top of mounting expenses. No parent should have to choose between being present for their child in the hospital and keeping up with bills at home.

When my daughter was in the hospital, we spent so many long days there that I just assumed people would come by to brighten the kids’ stays—maybe dressed up as princesses or clowns, bringing a little fun and comfort. I was honestly shocked when that didn’t happen. The hospital had strict rules about who could visit, and usually only kids who were there for months with something like cancer had access to those kinds of programs.

That’s really where my thought process began. I kept thinking, what about the other families? What about the kids who were still scared, lonely, and needing joy, even if their stay was shorter? That’s how Scarlet’s Kids was born. I wanted any family who found us to have access to gifts, grants, resources, and support—anything that could help make their hospital experience just a little bit brighter and easier.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What really sets Scarlet’s Kids apart is that we don’t limit our support to only the “big” diagnoses like cancer, diabetes, or heart conditions. We believe that any child admitted to the hospital deserves comfort and care. Over the years, we’ve gifted children in the ER who were frightened, supported mothers sitting by their baby’s side in the NICU, and helped families who were transferred from out of state—or even from another country—when they had no one else to turn to.

This mission is deeply personal to me. My daughters both faced complex medical issues that required long hospital stays, and those experiences shaped everything I do. I know firsthand how isolating and overwhelming those hospital walls can feel. That’s why our foundation exists—to step in and be that support system when families need it most.

The journey hasn’t been easy. Starting and growing a nonprofit takes grit, creativity, and a lot of faith. There were times I wondered how we would make it all work, but every challenge reminded me why I started in the first place. I learned to celebrate the small wins, to ask for help when I needed it, and to keep moving forward even when the path wasn’t clear.

What I’m most proud of is seeing the impact we’ve made—whether it’s a smile from a child receiving a gift in the ER, a mom feeling less alone during a NICU stay, or a family finding comfort and hope when everything feels uncertain.

What I want the world to know about our story is that it was born out of love—love for my daughters and for every child who has to endure something no child should. Scarlett’s Kids is proof that even in hard circumstances, you can create something beautiful that brings light to others.

Our biggest challenge has always been funding. Unlike many nonprofits, we don’t accept government grants—we’ve chosen to remain fully funded by public donations. That means every gift, grant, and resource we provide to families is made possible through the generosity of individuals who believe in our mission.

It can be difficult at times, but it also keeps us deeply connected to our community. Every donation, no matter how small, feels personal. It’s a reminder that people care, and that together we can make a real difference for families who need comfort and support during their hospital journey.

Because of our supporters we’re able to provide free gifts, grants, resources, and support to hospitalized children and their families. Your kindness truly helps bring smiles and comfort during difficult times. 💝

As a nonprofit, we’re constantly in need of monetary donations. If you love the work that we do and feel compelled to give, please message me for the address to mail checks, or you can give through:

💻 PayPal – scarletskids@gmail.com
📱 Venmo – @ScarletsKids
🏦 Zelle – scarletskids@gmail.com

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?
I’d love to give a shoutout to a community that’s very close to my heart—the Rady Children’s Hospital Parents Support Group on Facebook, which I originally founded back in 2014. In those early years, it became a safe space for parents who were walking through some of the hardest days of their lives, and it’s been incredible to watch it grow.

Although I don’t admin there daily anymore, a wonderful group of women have stepped in and are doing an amazing job carrying it forward. They’re offering resources, encouragement, and a sense of community to families with hospitalized children, and I couldn’t be prouder of what it’s become. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best gift we can give is simply helping people feel less alone—and this group continues to do exactly that.

Website: https://www.ScarletsKids.org

Instagram: @Scarlets_Kids

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/ScarletsKids

Image Credits
None, I own all of these photos and have permission from parents to share.