With frigid forecast, warming shelters open in Laconia

LACONIA — With the combination of frigid temperatures and heavy snow forecasted for this weekend and into next week, those without a roof over their head will be able warm up at several shelters.

According to Nicole Fitts, cold weather shelter manager for Lakes Region Mental Health Center, that shelter is open every weekend, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It was also open Friday evening, and as needed on weekdays, when the temperature is under 20 degrees, or 6 inches of snow has fallen.

Fitts said the location is not available publicly, at the direction of the agency, but she has been sending out emails and text messages about hours, including to Isaiah 61 Café.

“This is where a lot of these folks are anyway,” Fitts said.

Fitts said the warming shelter is a three-bedroom house, with a living area complete with television, board games, and a place to stay out of the elements. The shelter will provide meals, snacks, and drinks, as well.

“It isn’t huge, but it will fit 15 to 20 people. And we have had times where it has gone over, but we try to keep it around there,” Fitts said, adding nobody will be turned away. “We have not had any children come in, but we have had a husband and wife.”

Upon arrival, people will sign in and review the rules, including being polite and keeping their hands to themselves. Fitts said it is a “low-barrier shelter,” meaning if someone is under the influence of a substance, they can come in if they behave calmly.

The shelter is at capacity most weekends, and Fitts said the word is out that they are open and ready to help.

Fitts said the warming shelter will be open each weekend until March 29. People who need a place to go can call her at 603-581-4807.

LRMHC aligns their schedule with the 31-bed overnight shelter at Isaiah 61 Café, open every day, 8 p.m.-8 a.m. Isaiah 61 Founder Dawn Longval said it is on a first-come, first-served basis. People need to arrive by 9 p.m., with lights out at 9:30 p.m. Wake-up is at 7 a.m., and guests need to leave by 8 a.m.

People using the overnight shelter will have a bed saved for them as long as they arrive at 8:30 p.m. the next night, otherwise it will be open for the next person waiting.

Longval said the shelter consists of a room full of beds meant as a place to sleep, so there are no meals provided. The shelter allows both men and women, but no children are allowed to stay overnight.

She also noted Isaiah 61 is a “wet shelter,” so someone can be under the influence of a substance when they get there, but need to follow the rules to be able to stay.

Longval recognizes while there are 31 beds, there are many more people in the community who could benefit from warm, overnight shelters.

“There are probably more like 200 or more, that we know of, who could use this warm place to sleep,” Longval said. “I wish we could have more beds, but we don’t have the space for it.”

Longval hopes the city or surrounding towns could find other avenues to help those in need.

“If we are getting as much snow as they say, I can’t imagine being out there in a tent and being able to function and live,” Longval said. “I’m really hoping others can step up and help, because there is such a need.”

Isaiah 61 is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, and provides a hot breakfast and lunch. The space also provides a place to relax on couches, mingle with others, take a hot shower, do laundry, and have a comfortable place to get out of the frigid temperatures.

Isaiah 61 is at 100 New Salem St. Call 603-305-6741 for more information.

There will also be an emergency shelter at the Weirs Community Center located 25 Lucerne Ave., open from noon on Saturday, through noon on Monday. For details, call the shelter at 603-366-5185.

The Carey House, run by the Salvation Army, is described by Capt. Chris West as more of a home environment shelter than a dormitory. While currently full, with a long waiting list, they add 10 cots in an emergency, for people to come out of the cold.

All 42 beds and the 10 additional cots are currently filled, but West encourages people to call him at 603-527-8026, in case they can squeeze them in. At the very least, West said they can check with other shelters or other accommodations.

The main building of the Salvation Army, located next door, has a warming center that runs 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

“Our main building is open to everybody for a hot breakfast and hot lunch during the day,” West said. “It is a very safe and warm spot to go.”

Belknap House is a year-round shelter, originally opened as a cold-weather shelter in 2017, so they know about people seeking a spot to stay warm when temperatures drop. Shelter Program Manager Tom Sica said they have multiple requests for shelter, with some rooms that accommodate families of six and others for smaller groups, which include people with children.

Generally, the rooms are filled through requests and referrals by the city’s welfare office, but Sica said if someone were to call, they would be able to point them in the right direction.

“We won’t just say ‘no room at the inn,’” Sica said. “We will provide as many resources or phone numbers as possible to help people.”

The Belknap House can be reached at 603-527-8097.

Those looking for information about warming shelters around the state can call 211. The city also has a list of shelters around the state at laconianh.gov/1195/Shelters.