The name says it all

In the early 1990s, two domestic abuse victims who had gotten back on track began dropping off business clothes at Orange County women’s shelters to try to help others get their lives back in order.

As shelters got word of Marilyn McGraw’s and Frances Hayward’s message, shelter workers began regularly calling them for help.

Thirteen years later, McGraw and Hayward no longer lead the organization, but Women Helping Women’s mission remains strong.

If one needed proof of that it was on display Saturday at the organization’s “Chocolat & Vino” fundraiser where about 60 guests sampled wine and appetizers at Wine Styles in Costa Mesa.

Women Helping Women has broadened its vision over the years to include women who not only might have been domestic abuse victims, but who come from a myriad of situations that make it difficult to blend back into the business community.

From women just released from prison to those recovering from addiction, the organization’s volunteers and staff help them job hunt.

When Women Helping Women’s founders were trying to escape their own nightmares, they realized they didn’t have clothes to go to court or go on job interviews.

“Our little motto is to change women from the inside out and that’s one of the things that is really important,” said Women Helping Women Executive Director Jeanne Flint. “If you’re looking for a job the last thing you need is to be feeling bad about yourself.”

The organization offers career counselors, a computer teacher and a job developer. But even with top-notch computer knowledge and a nice résumé, a job interview usually requires business attire, which oftentimes the woman won’t own or have the money to buy. Last year, 1,773 women participated in the wardrobe program. Almost all of those were considered in the extremely low-income bracket — a family of two making less than $17,400 per year, Flint said.

“Say you were at Human Options, a domestic abuse shelter, you left home with nothing because you and your children had to escape when you had to escape,” Flint said. “You then needed to go to court and get a restraining order, and once you get to the second step, you need to get a job and support your children — usually they don’t have the funds to do that.”

If the women choose, Women Helping Women will outfit them with two complete wardrobes, including cosmetics, belts, scarves, jewelry, shoes and handbags.

This all comes at a price to the organization — $350 — and it’s entirely funded by donations, both clothes and money.

Terri Burns and her friends, Kathy Cook, Jennifer Dorchak and Sandy Hensley, sipped chardonnay, pinot noir and four other wines at the event while discussing the importance of supporting Women Helping Women.

“The name says it all — this really is women helping women,” Burns said. “A lot of women aren’t as fortunate as we are, and to do this, it’s the least we can do.”

The crowd was mostly women, but a few men showed up in support. Donnie Martin was one of those guys.

The Trader Joe’s manager organized the donation of all the appetizers.

“It’s a great cause,” he said.