Pregnancy Freebies
Have you heard about WIC? WIC stands for “Women, Infants, and Children” and is a federally funded program that provides nutrition education and nutritious foods to supplement the diets of pregnant women and young children. WIC benefits provide families with a wide variety of foods such as:
- Cold and hot cereals
- Bread or tortillas, rice or pasta
- Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables
- Canned fish, like tuna and salmon
- Juice
- Milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Eggs
- Beans & peanut butter
- Baby food and formula
In addition to providing vouchers to purchase food, WIC also provides support and education about breastfeeding and sometimes breast pumps for mothers who qualify.
Did you know? An employer is required by law to provide reasonable break times and a private place for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth.
In Oklahoma, if you are pregnant and qualify for SoonerCare (Oklahoma’s Health Care), then you automatically qualify for WIC. It’s easy to sign up! Just call your local WIC office and make an appointment. You will need to bring your ID with you and may need to show proof of your income (last paystub) and address (utility bill works for this!). For a list of WIC offices in Oklahoma check out this list. In Garfield County, the WIC office is located in the Health Department at 2501 Mercer Drive in Enid, OK. Call (580) 249-5999 to make an appointment.
Parenting Resources in Enid, OK
Hope Outreach’s Parenting Ministry offers mentoring and support through a great “Earn While You Learn” program. It’s free and easy to sign up. Stop by and pick up an application (815 W. Broadway, Enid) and make an appointment for a brief interview. Once accepted into the program, mentors meet with you weekly and you earn “credits” to spend in the store (double if both parents attend classes!). The store on Broadway is filled with new & “gently used” items for both mom and baby, everything from maternity clothes, infant and toddler clothes, diapers, cribs, toys, and other necessities. If you have any questions, call (580) 237-2292.
Thrive – Support Group for Single Moms
Thrive is a support group for JWC clients that provides emotional and practical support to pregnant women and moms with the goal of mentoring and encouraging women as they grow, flourish, and succeed.
This group meets weekly and mentors provide compassionate care and a listening ear without judgement.
Confidentiality is respected. Food and childcare provided.
Check out more about Thrive here.
You may already know that Journey Women’s Center offers free pregnancy services, but did you know we also offer one-on-one mentoring, support groups for women, information and connections to resources in our community, and post-abortive support? If you are struggling, or if you just need someone to talk to, we are here for you. We listen without judgement and love without agenda. No need to make an appointment! Just stop by during open hours.