Behind the Scenes: Meet Our Volunteer Coordinator
Behind every thriving volunteer program is someone quietly connecting people, stories, and hearts. At Holly’s Haven Indy, that person is Ashley Golberding, our Volunteer Coordinator and the heartbeat of our volunteer family.
From welcoming new volunteers to planning special events and building community partnerships, Ashley’s work touches every part of our mission. But most importantly, she helps ensure that every patient, family, and volunteer feels seen, supported, and deeply valued.
Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes to meet the person who makes our volunteer program so full of heart.
Her Story: Finding Purpose in Compassion
Ashley’s path to hospice care began long before she ever joined Holly’s Haven. With a background in healthcare and creative coordination, she’s always been drawn to roles that make a difference.
“When I first learned about hospice, I realized it wasn’t about dying – it was about living,” she shares. “It’s about creating comfort, connection, and meaning in every moment, no matter where someone is in their journey. There is room for so much beauty and joy.”
That perspective has shaped everything she does. Whether she’s guiding a new volunteer through their first visit or planning an event to lift the spirits of patients and families, Ashley’s goal is simple: to bring warmth and joy into spaces that need it most.
A Day in the Life
No two days are ever the same in Ashley’s world – and that’s exactly how she likes it.
“Some mornings I’m meeting with nurses and social workers to learn which patients would love a visitor,” she explains. “Other days I’m training new volunteers, writing thank-you notes, or reaching out to local schools and churches to share what we do.”
In between the calls, emails, and planning, she finds her favorite moments in the quiet ones, listening to stories from patients, hearing their laughter, and watching connections form between patients and the people who care for them.
“I get to see kindness in motion every single day,” Ashley says with a smile. “It’s the best part of my job.”
Her Heart for Volunteers
Ashley believes volunteers are the soul of hospice care.
“Our volunteers bring light into every room they enter,” she says. “They show up with open hearts, ready to listen, to comfort, and to share time with someone who just needs a friend.”
She loves watching volunteers discover their place in hospice – whether that’s reading to a patient, playing music, helping with events, or creating art to brighten someone’s day.
“We truly have volunteers from everywhere on the age spectrum, from 18 to 86. Every volunteer adds something unique,” Ashley shares. “Their presence reminds our patients that they are never alone and that they matter.”
A Philosophy Rooted in Love
Ashley describes her approach to volunteer coordination as heart-centered, community-driven, and people-first.
“Hospice isn’t just about end-of-life care – it’s about honoring life itself,” she says. “Volunteers remind us of that every day. Their kindness, compassion, and willingness to give of themselves make our program what it is.”
She sees volunteers as a vital bridge between patients, families, and the broader community. Her goal is to nurture that connection, one introduction at a time.
Beyond the Office
When she’s not coordinating visits or planning events, Ashley enjoys time with her husband and children, Shiba pup and Siberian kitty, and volunteering in her own community.
Her life motto?
“Do everything with love.”
And it’s clear she means it – in the way she leads, listens, and lifts others up.
Advice for New Volunteers
Ashley’s message to anyone thinking about becoming a hospice volunteer is simple: just start.
“If you have a heart for helping people, there’s a place for you here,” she says. “You don’t need special training or medical knowledge – you just need a heart for service, compassion, and a willingness to listen.”
She adds that volunteering in hospice care changes you in the best way: “You’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for life, love, and what truly matters.”
In Closing
Ashley’s gentle leadership reminds us that it takes both organization and empathy to make a volunteer program flourish – and that behind every act of kindness, there’s someone coordinating it with care.
We’re so grateful for the passion and purpose she brings to Holly’s Haven and Anchor of Hope Hospice every day.
If her story inspires you, we’d love for you to join our volunteer family. Whether you have an hour a week or a heart full of compassion, there’s a place for you here.
