Valley Opportunity Council’s WIC Program Director Gail Domeracki cuts a ribbon to officially welcome the new WIC office location to Chicopee.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — Valley Opportunity Council hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 20 to showcase its new Women, Infants and Children program location in Chicopee at 254 McKinstry Ave.
Valley Opportunity Council’s WIC Program Director Gail Domeracki has been with the organization for 33 ½ years, and discussed the relocation and programs WIC offers.
The WIC programs serve women, infants and children. Domeracki explained, “If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or have a child under 5 or you’re a foster parent, we’re here to help.”
Walk-ins are accepted, but Domeracki said it may be best to go online and fill out an application or call one of the offices to set up an appointment.
Currently, the hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but Domeracki stated, “The hours of operation generally are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We are open late on Monday nights, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at one of our locations and we are open one Saturday a month as well in Holyoke.”
She discussed the relocation and how the new storefront has more visibility and may be easier for WIC families to access.
“I’ve gone through a lot of transitions, but this is probably one of the most exciting. We’re in the center of Willimansett, where many of our families reside. It’s easy to get to, it’s on a bus line and we’re pretty excited to be here,” Domeracki said.
After going to school for nutrition and getting her master’s degree, Domeracki said this career felt right for her.
She explained, “I just felt like I needed to have a purpose and for me serving women, infants, children, it’s just my purpose and a mission that I have. I always have felt that way.”
The new WIC location was established in a move by VOC from its previous location on the second floor of the Mt. Carmel Avenue building, an old school building that houses other agency’s programs.
Many stakeholders and elected officials came to the event to welcome VOC to the community.
Domeracki shared, “It was so exciting. I really didn’t expect it to be honest with you. It really made me feel good that people are aware of the WIC program, they support the WIC program and they know the benefits of the program.”
Mayor John Vieau was at the event to welcome the new storefront to the community.
He stated, “I couldn’t think of a better location where people may not be able to afford a car and be able to drive across the city or to another community. Having WIC services right here is just incredible. It’s no secret health insurance has gotten very expensive for many people and if we could just promote healthy lifestyles and eating habits, I’m excited for this opportunity.”
State Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D-Chicopee) was also at the event to express she was happy to see the vacant space be filled by such a great organization.
“I was curious what business, what entity, what organization was going to take root here and which way they could best benefit our community. I couldn’t think of a better organization than WIC. You guys do [a] tremendous amount of work. The essential resources and programming that you provide are life-changing. They’re essential in producing a healthy lifestyle and it does start in the womb. It doesn’t start when they’re walking about. You do a lot with the mothers from day one,” Arriaga said.
The WIC program through Valley Opportunity Council provides a variety of community services to Western Massachusetts families, including healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and healthcare referrals.
VOC has three other WIC program locations in Hampden County, located in Ludlow, Holyoke and Westfield.
