Women helping women | Clothing drive to benefit homeless, abused
The San Diego Union - Tribune; San Diego, Calif.; Feb 14, 2002; Shay K. McKinley;

POWAY -- You may have a suit in your closet that can turn someone's life around. Suits, dresses, jackets and skirts in good condition are needed for homeless or abused women who are looking for jobs. This month, the Poway Family Service Chapter of Mothers Without Borders is sponsoring a clothing drive to benefit St. Clare's Home, an Escondido- based nonprofit agency.

In the first week of the drive, the group had already collected 60 garbage bags of clothing. The effort will end Feb. 22, but people can donate directly to St. Clare's after that. Merrilee Boyack, president of the Poway chapter, attended a speech given by Sister Claire Frawley, St. Clare's founder and executive director, and decided to help the cause. "I was moved by what she said," Boyack said. "Afterward, I walked up to her and said I belonged to a service group and said, 'What do you need?' She said, 'We really need business clothing that women can wear to the office.' "
Boyack then proposed the clothing drive to her group.

Women in the St. Clare's program can live with their children in the agency's homes for up to two years. They receive counseling, education and career training. Substance abuse rehabilitation and parenting classes are also offered. Currently, there are about 45 women at St. Clare's. Mothers Without Borders is hoping to provide at least two outfits for each person.

Boyack said her porch has been filled with bags of donated clothing every day. A lot of new moms who have given up working outside the home or women who have changed their wardrobes have been dropping off items. "All kinds of women all over the place have been donating clothes," Boyack said. "We enjoy doing service in our local community and felt that, as women, we wanted to help these women change their lives."

Mothers Without Borders is a national organization involved in community service programs throughout the world. The local chapter was founded about a year ago and serves Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos and Carmel Mountain Ranch. The group meets monthly and participates in four major service projects each year. New members are welcome.

"Members of our community can choose to participate in one project and help out without making a long-term commitment," Boyack said.

Clothing drive information:

After Feb. 22, clothing may be donated directly to St. Clare's Home, 2091 E. Valley Parkway, No. 1E, Escondido. For more information, call (760) 741-0122.
To learn more about the Poway chapter of Mothers Without Borders, call Merrilee Boyack at (858) 748-6703 or visit the Web site at www.motherswithoutborders.org.