$400,000 raised for New Directions

New Directions for Women raised more than $400,000 at its fifth annual Circle of Life fundraising breakfast.

The event, hosted at the Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach on March 25, garnered a turnout of about 250 attendees, including Mayor Keith Curry, business and healthcare professionals, and board members.

The Costa Mesa substance-abuse treatment center will use the proceeds to fund scholarships for women or help mothers looking to free themselves from addiction.

Established in 1977 with the help of Pamela Wilder and the Junior League of Orange County, New Directions provides a venue for affordable rehabilitative and detox care.

“Five thousand women have completed the program, 300 children have lived in residence with their mothers, and 100 sober babies have been born there,” Executive Director Rebecca J. Flood said in opening comments, according to a news release.

— Rhea MahbubaniTwitter: @RMahbubani