DIXFIELD — Sharon Walker understands the emotional and physical pain that accompanies domestic violence. She has known many women who have been victims, and she has experienced abuse in one form or another in her own life.

Now, with the support of her husband, Theodore, she is opening what she believes to be the only shelter in Franklin and Oxford counties for female victims (and their children) of domestic violence.

Her shelter, expected to be launched in September, is the second such shelter she has established. A few years ago, she operated one in New Vineyard. But financial difficulties forced its closure.

Now, a couple of years later, she has incorporated The House of Peace, and has registered as a non-profit.

It’s a cause she firmly believes in.

“The women who came to me felt less than dogs. They felt it was what they deserved and they felt unworthy to be loved. They believed a bad relationship was better than no relationship,” she said as she laid out domestic violence statistics on a table of the soon-to-be shelter.

She has a lease with an option to buy a Victorian building on Weld Street.

A 1974 graduate of Rumford High School who grew up in neighboring Peru, Walker returned to the River Valley area couple of years ago.

She said domestic violence victims sometimes get the courage to leave an abusive relationship.

“They finally say ‘enough is enough. I don’t have to live like this anymore,’” she said.

And frequently, there is no place for them to go.

The House of Peace will be such a place.

Walker, who already meets with a group of women periodically to discuss a variety of issues, will provide a program at the shelter that she feels will help prepare them to go out into the world. She also meets with a variety of professionals who can help when a situation may be too difficult for her to handle.

“I just want to give these people a safe place to live. I want them to know that the whole world is not against them and for them to love themselves and their children and to give them a chance,” she said. “I know of two girls already who need a safe place to stay.”

The program she has organized touches on such issues as parenting skills, budgeting, cooking and gardening, serving as part of a family, and a variety of other topics, including letting hurt go.

“I want them to become self-sufficient,” she said.

Walker is also an ordained non-denominational minister and reaching out to help others is a way to show Christ’s love, she said.

But religion or not, she said helping other human beings is something she can’t imagine not doing.

The shelter has four bedrooms, and room for about six more as money becomes available and a need is proven.

Two currently occupied apartments could also eventually become transitional homes for abused women.

Money is an issue right now. Several businesses, churches and individuals have provided some funding, but much more is necessary. Once the shelter is established, Walker said a variety of grants are available to maintain the facility.

The Rumford Eagles Club has offered use of their hall on Aug. 28 for a major fundraiser for the House of Peace. Food, music and raffles will be among the evening events.

Anyone who wishes may also make a tax deductible donation to the project at: House of Peace Inc., 58 Wyman Hill Road, Rumford, ME 04276. The names of donors, if desired, will be etched on a plaque that will be hung near the front door of the shelter.

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