Soyini Price, center, with her children Jesse, 5, left, and Trinity, 3, found a place to stay with the Tri-City Homeless Coalition's Winter Relief Program.

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THE WISH: GAME BOY, DOLL, DEPARTMENT STORE GIFT CERTIFICATES

Shelters offer services to get families on their feet

on a drizzling December night in 2000, Soyini Price sobbed as she walked down a street in Fremont carrying her two small children, Trinity and Jesse. They had just been kicked out of a motel -- after the proprietor took the last money she had.

They tried the Sunrise Village homeless shelter, only to find it hopelessly full. Luckily, they were offered beds in the newly opened Tri-City Homeless Coalition's Winter Relief Program, where churches open their doors for overnight stays. There, they got back on their feet, and after three months, into Sunrise Village. They finally had their own room and bath. ``It was beautiful to me,'' Soyini recalls.

Counselors then helped Soyini find a preschool for the children and a job, and get back into school, where she is studying to be a medical assistant. The family has since received a housing scholarship to live at the Bridgeway transitional apartments -- where they can stay for two years while she finishes her education.

No longer does Soyini hear the broken refrain ``no address, no job'' or have to take her kids along to job interviews. Without this network, she says, she and her kids ``would still be on the street. Now I feel like I have an extended family to rely on.''

Stability is Soyini's biggest future wish. But for now, a Game Boy ($69) (21A) and games ($29 each) (21B) would make 5-year-old Jesse's Christmas, and Trinity, 3, would like a doll ($25) (21C) and doll clothes ($15) (21D). Department store gift certificates ($25 each) (21E) would allow Soyini to purchase some new clothing. ``I have nothing girly or cute to wear. Only sweats,'' she says longingly. ``I miss dressing up nice and feeling good about myself.''

For others who come to area shelters seeking a new start -- or just a roof over their heads -- $15 (21F) will purchase a ``welcome kit'' containing such essential items as socks, underwear and toiletries. A gift of $30 (21G) will supply a pillow and linens for one bed. Each $100 (21H) will purchase a mattress. Wish Book donations will benefit not only the Tri-City Homeless Coalition, but also shelters operated by the Emergency Housing Consortium and InnVision, both in San Jose, and the Bill Wilson Center in Santa Clara.