Episode 27: Rev. Kate Layzer on Community, Compassion, and the Friday Café

I’d really love to hear your thoughts on the podcast. This little show feels like a community we’re building together, and your perspective helps me understand what feels meaningful, what you connect with, and what you’d like to hear more of. If you have a moment to share, I’d be so grateful. I put together a very short, two-minute survey—just 10 simple questions—so I can listen to your thoughts and learn from you. You can find it at bit.ly/nnpodsurvey On today’s episode of Notable New England, I sit down with Rev. Kate Layzer, the compassionate force behind the Friday Café at First Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Together, we explore how this weekly community gathering supports neighbors facing homelessness, food insecurity, and social isolation—and why creating spaces of dignity and connection is so essential. Rev. Layzer shares what she’s learned from years of building relationships at the Café, dispels common misconceptions about people seeking support, and offers simple, meaningful ways listeners can get involved in their own communities. It’s an eye-opening, heart-opening conversation that feels especially resonant as we head into Thanksgiving. My hope is that it inspires you to look for small ways to show up for others in New England and beyond. 📌 Show Notes & Resources: 🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links 🔹 Music licensing & credits 💙 Support Notable New England: Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland You'll get an on-air shout out of thanks for your donation.  📢 Follow Notable New England: 🔹 Patreon 🔹 BuyMeaCoffee 🔹 Facebook 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Threads 🔹 Bluesky 🔹 YouTube 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Reddit 🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/  📩 Contact: [email protected]