Grand Opening at WIC and Lincoln Community Health Center’s Chapel Hill Road Site

/ Advocacy, News, Parent Information, Providers / By

On April 28, 2025, we had the privilege of gathering with leaders from Lincoln Community Health Center and the Durham WIC office to celebrate something truly special—the grand opening of their new lactation space on Chapel Hill Boulevard. This wasn’t just about a room or a building; it was about a shared commitment to supporting lactating families in Durham with dignity, intention, and care.

From the moment you pull into the parking lot—convenient and surrounded by trusted community partners like El Futuro, El Centro Hispano, and Black Bright Candles,—you feel it: this space is for families. It’s welcoming, spotless, thoughtfully designed, and deeply rooted in community.

A Team That Cares

Taneshia Smith, Lincoln’s Chief Operations Officer, spoke with conviction about her vision to grow Lincoln Community Health Center into a thriving, family-centered organization. Her leadership, along with the dedication of the WIC team, shines through in every interaction. The WIC breastfeeding peer counselors shared how seriously they’re taking this moment of expansion—because they know how much our families need it.

They’ve already distributed 88 electric breast pumps this year—a significant step forward. Nicola Young, our Lactancia Latina Coalition Coordinator, helped clarify how that process works: Any Durham WIC participant who is currently breastfeeding at all—whether exclusively or partially—can now receive an electric pump. There is no longer a rigid restriction based on feeding plan. Instead, staff ask parents how often they’re providing human milk to document eligibility. This approach aligns with North Carolina WIC’s updated flexibility and renewed prioritization of breastfeeding.

Families enrolled in the full breastfeeding WIC plan do receive higher food benefits, but they’re welcome to switch plans—even over the phone—as their needs evolve. And Durham WIC has made huge strides in accessibility: parents can now begin enrollment online, fax documents, and even walk in without an appointment to get services. Pregnant people are strongly encouraged to enroll before giving birth, though postpartum enrollment and benefits can start quickly—even before an infant is brought into the office for measurements.

Staffing, Language Access, and Inclusive Support

Durham WIC is also working hard to ensure no family is left behind. The office now includes bilingual staff members who speak Spanish and Arabic. And their newer sites—including the beautiful Chapel Hill Blvd. location—are all equipped with dedicated lactation spaces. One of the requests that came out of the evening was for additional “Mother’s Room” signs—preferably in Spanish and using more inclusive language. We’re looking into that now.

Reflecting on Progress

For those of us who’ve been in the trenches advocating for stronger lactation support in Durham, this moment was deeply emotional. After the meeting, Niki and I called each other and cried—not because of barriers, but because of breakthroughs. The transformation is real. Lactation is no longer sidelined. It’s being centered, honored, and integrated into care.

🌟 Things You Might Not Know About Durham WIC and the New Lactation Space

  • You don’t need an appointment to get support at the WIC office—walk-ins are welcome every day.
  • You can now enroll in Durham WIC over the phone and send documentation by fax. Initial steps can also be started online.
  • Any breastfeeding parent can get an electric breast pump—even if they are combination feeding. Staff will ask how often you’re breastfeeding to document eligibility.
  • WIC food benefits are higher for families on the full breastfeeding plan—but you can switch plans anytime, even by phone.
  • All Durham WIC locations now have a lactation space—not just the new one on Chapel Hill Blvd!
  • Durham WIC has bilingual staff who speak Spanish and Arabic.
  • WIC and SNAP require separate enrollment. You can sign up for WIC at Lincoln, but SNAP enrollment happens through the Durham County Department of Social Services.
  • The new location is surrounded by community partners like El Futuro, Catholic Charities, Black Bright Candles, El Centro Hispano, and Food Lion.
  • The parking lot is easy to navigate—and the site is clean, beautiful, and family-friendly.

A Note on SNAP and WIC

One important clarification: while families often qualify for both WIC and SNAP, the enrollment processes are separate. SNAP enrollment must still be completed at the Durham County Department of Social Services.

However, families can use the same North Carolina WIC referral form and select Lincoln Community Health as their WIC site—and trust us, it’s worth the drive.

📍 Durham WIC Office Locations

Here are the WIC office locations in Durham:​

  1. Lincoln Community Health Center
    • 1301 Fayetteville Street
      Durham, NC 27707
      Phone: (919) 956-4042
      Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  2. Durham County Human Services Building – Clinic A
    • 414 East Main Street
      Durham, NC 27701
      Phone: (919) 560-7824
      Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  3. Durham County Human Services Building – Clinic B
    • 414 East Main Street
      Durham, NC 27701
      Phone: (919) 403-1339
      Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  4. El Centro Hispano
    • 2000 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 26A
      Durham, NC 27707
      Phone: (919) 403-1300
      Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  5. Family and Communities Rising (Head Start)
    • 215 W. Seminary Avenue
      Durham, NC 27701
      Phone: (919) 403-1398
      Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

For more information, visit the Lincoln Community Health Center WIC page:
🔗 Lincoln Community Health Center WIC​

Looking Ahead

We’ve heard wonderful things about other new sites, and we’ll be sharing more updates soon. For now, let’s take a moment to celebrate what’s already here: a clean, accessible, inclusive space that welcomes lactating families and sets a new standard for care in our city.

We see you, Lincoln Community Health. We see you, Durham WIC. Thank you for choosing to show up for families—not just with services, but with love, warmth, and respect.