WIC West Virginia
“One of the classes we worked with developed an equity, diversity, and inclusion training that we utilized.”
The mission of the West Virginia WIC program is to improve the health of women, infants and children in West Virginia by providing quality nutrition and breastfeeding counseling and education; as well as health monitoring and nutritious foods.
In 1972, WIC was piloted as a supplemental food program aimed at improving the health of pregnant mothers, infants and children in response to growing concern over malnutrition among many poverty-stricken mothers and young children.
WIC aims to impact every woman who walks through our doors. We provide nutrition and breastfeeding education to support them and allow them to make decisions that will positively impact their family. Our staff will go above and beyond as well. We had an individual who was homeless and expecting a baby. They went with her, after work, to help her find housing. They went to local shops and helped her to purchase items for the baby. One of our staff members is a doula and she assisted with that individual's birthing experience.
We have partnered with WVU as a Community Service Partner. One of the classes we worked with developed an equity, diversity, and inclusion training that we utilized with our staff. Another class organized a donation drive for baby items that we can provide to our moms.
I see WIC impacting the lives of girls/women for generations to come. This year WIC celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. As long as we receive funding from the federal government, we will be taking care of the women and children in our communities.