Guiding the Journey: A Day in the Life of Irene Basdakis, CEO of Grandma’s House of Hope

When you step into Grandma’s House of Hope, you immediately feel the heartbeat of a place that does more than provide shelter—it restores hope. At the center of that mission is Irene Basdakis, the Chief Executive Officer, who guides the organization with both vision and compassion.

“My role as CEO is to oversee the organization, the operations, fundraising, and all of our programs,” Irene explained. “I work with our leadership team and Board of Directors  to guide Grandma’s House to success, ensuring that our participants are not only housed but supported in every way possible.”

Running a nonprofit with a $5.4 million budget comes with its challenges. Irene calls these the “hard stuff”—ensuring financial sustainability, diversifying programs, and coordinating resources. But the heart of her work is the “soft stuff”—visiting homes, connecting with participants, and sharing their stories with the broader community. “The hard work keeps us alive,” she said. “The soft work reminds us why we’re here.”

From the very first day a participant enters Grandma’s House, structure and support set the stage for lasting success. Each home is organized with chores, shared responsibilities, and routines that build independence and accountability.

“Structure leads to success,” Irene said. “We prepare participants for permanent housing by guiding them to be self-sufficient, responsible, and confident.”

The organization operates like a well-driven ship. Irene steers, while staff support and participants learn to navigate life together. House meetings, communal living, and consistent guidance help residents feel safe, supported, and empowered. “Once participants feel safe, they’re more receptive to growth,” Irene said. “They learn to invest in themselves and in each other.”

For Irene, the most rewarding moments come from seeing transformation—one person at a time. Graduates leave the program equipped with tools, confidence, and the support of our Aftercare and Alumni programs.

“We want our graduates to know they’re part of a family,” she said. “Even after they leave, we’re still rooting for them and continuing to provide resources and support as they move forward.”

What sets Grandma’s House apart from other shelters? The answer lies in the homes themselves. With 11 single-family homes, communal living allows participants to learn independence while being supported. Our Program Managers, Case Managers, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselors, Housing Navigators, Housing Support Specialists, and Community Leaders are all present in our homes to guide participants through life’s challenges and ensure progress toward permanent housing.

“While there are many shelters, what sets us apart is the healing, love, and 24-hour care that comes with living in a home,” Irene said.

Her passion for this work is clear. “I love being part of decisions that impact our participants,” she shared. “Every decision, big or small, matters. We provide resources, love, and structure so that people can leave Grandma’s House with confidence, ready to succeed in their lives.”

The ultimate goal is permanent housing, but the journey is about much more: healing, learning, and regaining hope.

“I invite the community to come see what we do, learn about our participants, and help provide these essential services,” Irene said. “It’s an incredible honor to guide people from crisis to stability, from despair to hope, and to witness them build lives they can be proud of.”

At Grandma’s House of Hope, transformation happens every day. And under Irene’s guidance, that transformation is intentional, compassionate, and life-changing.