Multnomah County, Ore. (June 16, 2026) — Multnomah County is proud to announce the grand opening of the WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) AVIVA clinic located at 427 S.E. 187th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.
Event details:
- Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
This family-friendly event marks an important step in expanding access to essential nutrition, breastfeeding/chestfeeding, and referral services for women, infants and children in our community. The new WIC clinic will provide services and community connection for pregnant people and families with children under five.
“We found that 40% of our WIC clients live within one to three miles of this location,” Multnomah County WIC Director Sabrina Villemenay said. “So this clinic will provide vital services to families in the heart of the community where they live.”
“Public health is at its best when it meets people exactly where they are,” Multnomah County Public Health Director Kirsten Aird said. “By doubling our space and embedding this clinic right in the neighborhood, we are creating a welcoming hub where families can easily access the vital nutrition, education and holistic care they need to thrive.”
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved the lease of the new building June 26, 2025. The WIC AVIVA clinic replaces the Gateway clinic, which was the state’s largest WIC clinic and served half of the County’s annual WIC clients. The Gateway facility, however, had become too small to meet the community’s needs.
The new WIC AVIVA clinic is more than double the size of the old building and will provide adequate space for large training rooms that can accommodate in-person nutrition and breastfeeding/chestfeeding education, group classes, staff training and community outreach activities, as well as rooms in which providers can meet with larger families.
“This is a great example of Multnomah County fulfilling our role as the local safety net for our residents,” said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “Our goal is to ensure no one goes hungry and every family has the support they need to thrive. This new, larger facility will continue to support the growth and development of parents, infants, and children in East County and throughout the community.”
“With Gresham having one of the highest levels of toddlers and infants per capita in the country, this is a much needed service and facility for our community,” said Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon. “I appreciate the intentionality in the design to make it welcoming and comfortable for our neighbors utilizing this service.”
“East County families deserve services right where they live, and today we deliver on that promise,” said Commissioner Shannon Singleton. “This clinic puts essential nutrition services in the heart of the community — close to home, close to family and rooted in the equity our residents deserve."
WIC is a federally funded program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding/chestfeeding support to low-income families in Multnomah County, and across the country.
In 2025, Multnomah County’s WIC program served 19,058 unique clients (who made 53,429 total visits) between its four sites. By the end of Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026), County WIC clients will have received $8.7 million in healthy foods, significantly contributing to their nutrition and food security, as well as education for new parents. The County has served the largest and most diverse WIC client base in Oregon for the last 52 years.
Event highlights include:
- 9 a.m.: Welcome remarks and acknowledgments of key partnerships
- 9:10 a.m.: Guest speakers
- Chair Jessica Vega Pederson
- Public Health Director Kirsten Aird
- Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon
- Commissioner Shannon Singleton
- 9:25 a.m.: Ribbon-cutting ceremony
- 9:35 a.m.: Mexican traditional dancing performance
- 9:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Open house and clinic tours
- Music and community engagement
- Face painting
- Tabling by community partners
- Pony available for petting and photos (Unicorn Initiative)
Parking is available at the East County Courthouse (18480 S.E. Stark St., Portland, OR 97233), across from Rockwood Market Hall.
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