By Romina Gomez Silva

The American Red Cross Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program provides important nutrition support and education to pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and children up to age five. Through the Red Cross, WIC offers access to healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to community resources that help families build a strong foundation for lifelong health. In Southern California, the Red Cross has been a trusted WIC partner since the program’s early beginnings and continues to serve thousands of families each month while also supporting the staff who deliver these critical services.

With the Red Cross WIC Program supported by so many passionate individuals, volunteers play a key role in strengthening its impact. Two such volunteers, Milayna Melis and Robyn Hoki, bring unique backgrounds, shared interests in nutrition, and a strong commitment to collaboration through their involvement with WIC.

Milayna Melis became involved with the American Red Cross WIC Program through her academic journey at San Diego State University, where she is pursuing a career in dietetics and seeking opportunities to apply her coursework in a real‑world, community‑focused setting. She was particularly drawn to WIC because of the opportunity to work alongside a registered dietitian while contributing to a program that prioritizes evidence‑based nutrition education. As a volunteer, Milayna collaborates with a team to develop content for the monthly WIC staff wellness newsletter, a role that allows her to combine research, communication, and teamwork. She values the challenge of translating complex nutrition and wellness concepts into information that is clear, practical, and accessible for WIC staff, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and clarity in health communication. Through her involvement, Milayna has gained a deeper appreciation for collaborative efforts within public health and the meaningful impact that behind‑the‑scenes work can have. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue contributing to WIC or similar programs by providing up‑to‑date, reliable nutrition information that supports staff wellness and strengthens community health initiatives.

Robyn Hoki’s volunteer experience with the Red Cross WIC Program is driven by her strong belief that all families deserve equitable access to nutrition and nutrition education. As a dietetics student with aspirations of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist within WIC, Robyn views her volunteer role as an important step toward her future career. Through her work on the monthly employee wellness newsletter, she helps create a resource that supports WIC staff by sharing nutrition‑related topics, wellness tools, and practical health information. Although her contributions take place largely behind the scenes, Robyn recognizes the broader impact of her work, noting that supporting staff wellness ultimately strengthens the program’s ability to serve families and communities. She values the collaborative nature of the volunteer experience and the opportunity it provides to strengthen her communication skills while learning how wellness initiatives are developed within large public health programs. Robyn’s involvement has reinforced her passion for community nutrition and affirmed her desire to work in settings like WIC that prioritize both education and long‑term well‑being.

Through their dedication and thoughtful contributions, Milayna Melis and Robyn Hoki exemplify the important role volunteers play in supporting the American Red Cross WIC Program. By using their academic backgrounds and shared passion for nutrition, they help strengthen wellness initiatives that support WIC staff and, in turn, the families those staff serve. Their behind‑the‑scenes efforts demonstrate how collaboration, commitment, and service can create meaningful impact, reinforcing WIC’s mission to promote health and well‑being throughout the community.