Olivia Hawbaker joined Citizens in June 2013. As Manager of Planning & System Renewal in Underground Engineering & Construction, Olivia oversees master planning for Citizens’ water distribution and wastewater collection systems, working with Citizens’ modeling and operations teams to ensure that we are prioritizing the most needed capital projects to maintain system integrity. Olivia also oversees system renewal, which includes rehabilitation of sewers and manholes within the collection system.
Olivia has volunteered with Coburn Place for eight years.
Why is it important to you to volunteer?
Volunteering is an important part of my life because I believe we all function better when everyone has access to the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual resources to be safe, healthy, and thriving. Volunteering creates opportunities to honor and promote the inherent dignity of every person.
What sparked your interest in volunteering for Coburn Place?
Initially, I attended a volunteer and fundraising breakfast and heard a story about an adult who recovered from an abusive household as a child; I was impressed by the impact of the support, resources, and empowerment from people around him. I wanted to be involved with an organization that empowers individuals and families to move in heathy ways through past traumas, and to receive the gift of a new start on their own terms.
What has been your most rewarding experience volunteering for Coburn Place?
My favorite and most rewarding experience is the Lemonade Sale the Coburn Kids host every year! It’s fun to participate, see the kids get excited about running a lemonade stand, and see the outcome of every kid getting access to new shoes and school supplies to start the year!
Why do you feel volunteerism is important at Citizens?
Volunteerism fits directly into our core mission and values—stewarding the community around us, knowing that collaboration helps us achieve the best results, and making life better for the customers and residents we serve. I like knowing that our impact extends even beyond our day-to-day work when we volunteer.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering alongside your Citizens coworkers?
I love that when we volunteer together, I always learn something new about the coworkers with whom I’m volunteering, and often have a good laugh along the way.
About Coburn Place
Coburn Place
604 E. 38th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Kim Easton – Communications Director
keaston@coburnplace.org
Coburn Place offers compassionate support and safe housing choices for survivors of domestic violence and their children. They specialize in fresh starts—letting survivors lead the way in creating their own paths forward.
Volunteers keep the wheels running behind the scenes. From processing donations to setting up apartments, they play a crucial role in creating comfortable homes for survivors as they heal and move forward.
On having Olivia Hawbaker volunteer, Julie Henson, Vice President of Development, shared, “Olivia is a board member, a founding member of our young professionals committee, and has used her deep index of connection points in the city to bring about impact for Coburn Place. She is a steadfast leader and embeds this work with trust and hope."
