By office
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August 31, 2020
Everyone has a story. At 16 Cents, 3 Shoes & 5 Socks, we stumble across stories all the time. And because of the support from our customers we can give back to the community. Talena is a formerly homeless woman that lost everything due to addiction. Thanks to New Horizon Care Center and pure determination on her part, Talena is clean, sober, and has a new apartment. When Talena brought her daughter home from the hospital in July, she didn’t have a couch, crib, or mattress in their apartment. Even so, Talena remained optimistic. After all, she survived a traumatic delivery, and her daughter is thriving after being born weighing just over 14 ounces. “Ardyn is an incredible warrior,” said Talena. And so is Talena. Over the years, Talena has used meth off and on. She’s been sober since she found out she was pregnant and planned to stay that way with the help of the Parent-Child Assistance Program and Spokane Addiction Recovery Center. “I asked for help, after everything I had gone through,” said Talena. After Ardyn was born, Talena couldn’t go back to Moses Lake, where she’d been living before giving birth. Her home there had no running water or power. With her daughter still in the NICU, Talena stayed at House of Charities for two months and then at St. Margaret’s shelter for another few months. “I was definitely out of my element. It was the first time I was in a homeless shelter. Going from the hospital to a homeless shelter, I could’ve easily fallen back, but having someone else to be responsible for, including my daughter, is my motivation,” said Talena. Ardyn spent nearly four months in the hospital, gaining weight, learning how to eat, and doctors patiently waiting for her tiny lungs to develop. With the help of Rapid Re-housing, Talena moved into an apartment just days after bringing Ardyn home from the hospital. When 16 Cents, 3 Shoes, & 5 Socks learned of Talena’s story, we knew we needed to help. We surprised Talena and Ardyn with a $2,000 shopping spree. Talena picked out a new couch, mattress, and bed frame and kitchen table - everything to start the next chapter in their lives. “I’m in shock. I cried tears of joy. It’s amazing, helpful, and I’m grateful for it. It’s going to help so much. I don’t have to sit on the floor to feed my daughter. I can now sleep in a good bed, that sets you up to conquer the day,” said Talena. Shortly after the delivery, we received this beautiful email from New Horizon Care Center. "We want to thank you for the wonderful donation to our client, Talena. She was surprised and overwhelmed by your generosity. Your kindness brings another view of this world we live in by showing that we are a community that helps others in need. Sometimes all it takes is one person to make a difference with a kind gesture. Talena will never forget the fact that people genuinely care." We’re proud of your recovery, Talena, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and Ardyn. Remember, we all have a story, and at 16 Cents, 3 Shoes & 5 Socks, your story is one to be shared and not judged. 16 Cents, 3 Shoes & 5 Socks, the furniture store with a story, what’s yours?