Briefly in the news

Yellowstone Women’s First Step House, a free, volunteer-run recovery

home for women trying to overcome addictions to alcohol or drugs, raised

more than $20,000 last weekend at its first fund-raiser.

Vandals marked the Costa Mesa recovery home with racist remarks and

symbols last month, but a swell of community support -- including

increased volunteer sign-ups and donations -- is helping the home

rebound, said director Honey Thanes.

About 700 women have passed through the 2-year-old home on their way

to recovery, and the money raised by the fund-raiser, a dinner and dance

event titled “Give for the Gold,” will pay for housing, food and shelter

for about 100 women, Thanes said.

“We consider these women to be the gold, you know,” she said. “They

are precious treasures for us.”

For more information, call (949) 646-4006.