Avalon Center, an organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic and sexual violence, is in the process of establishing an advisory board to work on determining whether it’s feasible to build an emergency shelter on the Middle Peninsula.

Leslie Jingluski, community engagement coordinator, said that she has extended invitations to faith leaders, community members, and business owners to help determine what the needs are in their localities.

“We are very busy with outreach services,” she said.

Located in Williamsburg, Avalon last year opened an office in Mathews Town Center to offer services to residents of the Middle Peninsula who were previously served by the Laurel Shelter. Jingluski said that Laurel Shelter representatives had contacted Avalon because the Laurel Shelter was closing and they wanted to make sure the community would continue to have services.

Jingluski said that Avalon did not buy out the Laurel Shelter and that none of the Laurel Shelter&rs...