Tala's Closet

10/18/2026

10/17/2026

Everyone has heard about brain injuries in sports. But repeated blows to the head and strangulations in domestic violence is now gaining recognition.

10/16/2026

Her name was Tala Smith.

She was 21 years old. She loved drawing. She had a little brother she adored. Her family described her as outgoing, bubbly, and kind.

On March 17, 2024 — near a bridge in Newark, Ohio — her boyfriend of six years took her life.

Six days later, she was gone.

Her family, in the middle of unimaginable grief, donated her heart, her kidneys, and her liver. Tala had such a loving heart, her dad said. They wanted some good to come from something so painful.

We named our closet after her.

Tala represents every woman we serve. Every woman who stayed because she loved someone who did not love her safely. Or every woman whose story ended before it should have.

My mom and our volunteer Kathy drove to Newark today to tend to Tala’s memorial site. In their Tala’s Closet shirts. On their own time. Because that is what this community does.

10/16/2026

I don’t usually like to mix my personal life and my work. You will rarely see this dude.

BUT here lately he’s been expressing how cool he thinks this is. So I invited him in and he said yes!. 🥹💟

We talk about DV from time to time. Prevention education isn’t in many communities but im doing my best to make sure it’s done in my home.

Do you ever receive any domestic violence education while you were in school? We never had 1 conversation, just watched 1 movie.

10/16/2026

Thank you for the donation all the way from Texas! (No name)

10/16/2026

Thank you to PJ Kaur for your donations from California!

10/16/2026

Thank you for the donations, Tay Greeley!

10/16/2026

We received several donations via Amazon!
Thank you so much Jolene!

10/16/2026

Such a busy day today sorting all the fabulous donations. We really felt the love today!