Isaiah 61 Café — Restaurant in Laconia

I came to the café for the first time when I was homeless living on the streets it was the day after Christmas when I finally got the courage to go in & check it out, I was embarrassed and scared of what ppl would think of me because I was homeless, I found peace & comfort the second I walked threw the doors , I received acceptance from the volunteers & other patrons it was an amazing place with in a few days it felt like home , I felt safe loved & accepted by every one , I started volunteering there 5 days a week, helping cleaning & cooking in the kitchen with other wonderful volunteers , my love for all those ppl that volunteered there & patrons became family to me , Dawn & Dave invited me to attend their church Real life church was holding their service at the margate hotel in a beautiful tent rt by the water, I attended service there for all of June & the first Sunday in July I had my water baptism & accepted Jesus into my life ,it’s was the best thing I could have ever done, it has changed my life in so many ways , I meet a wonderful man Ray who volunteers at Isaiah 61 café ,he was also homeless living in his car but went to help at Isaiah since they opened there door , we have been together now almost 4 years & we have a place to call home finally, I have Dawn & Dave & Isaiah café & the Lord to thank for that. 🙏🙏, May god continue to blessed all those who do his work & bless all those that walk threw the Isaiah café doors , May they find gods love, acceptance, comfort & hope every minute they spend at the café, God Bless All of you , never forget you are...

Dawn and Dave (owners) are a God send. Last year I was so lost. Addicted, homeless, and unemployed. Dawn used to pray for me. I never expected to find a home and family when I walked in that first day. I spent 2 days crying because my pride was embarrassed by my need to be there. I never needed to feel that way. They welcomed me into the fold. The gave me a safe space to nap after many sleepless nights on the streets. Gave me a clean place to shower. Everday they fed me. When I had nothing they gave me things to wear. The most vital thing they gave to me was a light that helped me out of my darkness. I was so lost. And these incredible human beings helped to love me back to life. They saved me when I couldn't get out of my own way. With their help I am here today with a roof over my head, a full time job, putting my daughter to bed every night and waking her up every morning, and with 10 months sobriety under my belt. They take people in the worst moments of these strangers lives without question, judgments, or pressure and keep them safe. The community is blessed to have this place. For some its seen as a place for food and clothes. For the family that lies inside I can only be described as home. Thank you for all you guys have given...

I would never recommend this place to anyone as it seems extremely shady. Our father passed May of 2024 and we we’re randomly told on Saturday that they were having a celebration of life for him now in almost February. We were not invited. I attempted to have a conversation with Dawn about this and was told it was “to be kept private” in order to help them grieve the loss of our father. In attendance will be our father’s girlfriend who also never communicated this to the family. While on the phone we were told that we are insensitive and being disrespectful to this celebration of life. Instead, Dawn decided to yell at my sister and I over the phone saying “this has nothing to do with you”. Bottom line - family should’ve been invited. They are using pictures of him from his life and singing music for him, yet Dawn also said “people are showing up and I have to greet them, if they even remember who he is since he hasn’t been here in so long”. As the family, this is extremely disrespectful and disheartening and we cannot understand how a place focused on helping people can be so disrespectful...