HOPE Inc. opens new safe space in Fairmont

Sept. 14--FAIRMONT -- HOPE Inc. on Wednesday opened the doors of a brand new shelter facility in Fairmont to house and help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in a safe and supportive domain.

The new facility is made with these ideals in mind to provide a comfortable living environment for victims where they can recover from physical and psychological scars and receive counseling to help them through the process.

"This place allows people to have more room, more access to bathroom facilities, more privacy and not as many people per bedroom," Harriet Sutton, executive director for HOPE Inc., said.

HOPE Inc. is a free, nonprofit shelter service for victims of domestic abuse to get counseling for their situation until they are ready to leave.

Over the years, Sutton has helped victims through the process, seeing victims with injuries that have not left her mind.

"The worst thing I ever saw was a lady that came in and had her throat cut; for me that's something I can't get out of my head. She healed a lot when she was with us, but you could still see the scars. That was scary," Sutton said.

Sutton advised for victims of abuse of any kind to use the tipline to receive advice on what to do in certain situations. Because of the service the organization provides, the exact location of the shelter is mainly given out only for victims.

"We do keep our address under wraps so that abusers cannot locate (the victims)," Michele McCord, financial officer for HOPE Inc., said.

Having been in a location in downtown Fairmont for years, HOPE Inc. has had its eyes on the facility, which was previously an Army building, since 2005, but it took several years before it was finally made ready by the organization.

The building was repurposed to fit its needs and is now furnished thanks to donations, albeit with a wish list of some needed supplies.

"I could have never hoped that things would turn out as well as they did," Sutton said, in a speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The facility is complete with bedrooms, bathrooms, a playroom and a kitchen where refugees can make themselves comfortable during their stay in the building. Because victims sometimes include children, the facility is ready to accommodate a few family members at once.

The ceremony also saw past and present staff and board members of HOPE Inc. come back to see the unveiling.

"It's unusual, I think, for a group of people to come together and really, really care about victims of violence, but this shows there is a community of people who cares, and we appreciate it," Sutton said.

More information for HOPE Inc. can be found on its website, which also includes a tipline for victims to call when in need of help (304-367-1100).

Email Eddie Trizzino at etrizzino@timeswv.com and follow him on Twitter at @eddietimeswv.

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