At Covenant House Alaska (CHA), birthdays are transformed into celebrations of hope, largely thanks to volunteers like Meredith Basdaras. As a dedicated member of CHA’s Birthday Club, Meredith ensures that every young person at Rights of Passage (ROP) feels special on their big day, whether through homemade cakes or carefully selected store-bought treats.
Meredith clearly loves birthdays. “I love my birthday; I will celebrate it till I am dead,” she laughs. This enthusiasm drives her belief that every young person deserves to feel cherished on their special day. Since becoming a birthday club volunteer, Meredith has helped celebrate approximately 19 birthdays.
Before birthdays, her journey with CHA began in the kitchen, volunteering alongside her mother. These early experiences opened her eyes to the impact of her work and the resilience of the youth she serves. “I have a really good memory of my mom and I volunteering together, and I think that was my first time seeing how wonderful the youth are here,” Meredith recalls.
Meredith’s dedication to helping others is rooted in her own challenging upbringing in Anchorage, Alaska. Born into a family struggling with poverty, she often relied on social assistance and food donations. These experiences fostered a deep empathy for those facing similar hardships and a strong desire to give back.
By day, Meredith works in accounting for the city government. Her academic determination led her to earn scholarships and a degree in accounting, even becoming president of the accounting club at her university.
Meredith’s personal history, which includes growing up in a home affected by family violence and financial scarcity, gives her a unique perspective on the troubles faced by the youth at CHA. She recognizes the complex challenges of housing insecurity, especially in Alaska’s harsh climate. This understanding allows her to approach her volunteer work with deep compassion and a unique perspective.
What sets Meredith apart as a volunteer is her ability to connect with youth on a personal level. She brings not just cake and ice cream, but understanding, empathy, and a willingness to listen and learn. Her interactions with the youth are characterized by mutual respect and growth, creating a supportive environment where both volunteers and youth can thrive. Meredith openly shares her own struggles, such as her experiences with dyslexia in professional settings, and in turn, learns from the youth about topics like neurodiversity.
For Meredith, volunteering is about building a stronger community. She believes that if more people contribute even a little time and effort, the collective impact can be tremendous. Her advice to potential volunteers is simple yet profound: approach the experience with a positive mindset and an open heart and you will have a much better experience, and build a stronger connection not only to youth, but other volunteers.
As Meredith continues her volunteer work with CHA, she serves as an inspiration to others. Much like a candle on a cake, Meredith is shining a light for our youth.
When she’s not working or volunteering, Meredith enjoys water sports, hiking, and spending time with animals, finding joy and solace in nature and furry companions alike.
