Ann Alaniz

Our third featured Champion of WIC is Ann Alaniz from our Cudahy WIC site. Let’s hearher story.

What is your official title at WIC?
My official title is WIC Nutrition Assistant (WNA).

What inspired you to join WIC, and what has kept you motivated in this work?
To be honest, I had never heard of WIC at the time. A friend who was working for WIC told me they were hiring. I was working as a Data Entry Clerk in shipping and receiving and also handled some HR responsibilities, including hiring new employees and processing payroll, for a warehouse distribution center at May Company (now Macy’s). I decided to give WIC a try.
What has kept me motivated over the years is the work I do for our participants and the difference I can make in their lives. It’s especially rewarding when a participant thanks you more than once during a conversation, whether it’s a new prenatal mom enrolling in the program or a mother who has recently welcomed her baby.

What is the most rewarding part of helping WIC participants and their families?
The most rewarding part of helping participants and their families is knowing they leave happy with the services, support, and information they receive.

What is something about you that your coworkers might be surprised to learn?

Something my coworkers may not know about me is that I attended cosmetology school. I learned all aspects of the profession and completed the required coursework. However, I eventually realized that working on other people’s feet was not for me. Practicing on family and friends was something I could do, but working with strangers was a different story. Since success in the field often requires providing a full range of services, I decided it wasn’t the right fit for me.

That said, I have no regrets. It was a different time in my life, and the experience taught me a lot. I’m very happy with the choice I made to work for WIC.