Lakewood officials joined representatives from the Ocean County Health Department on Thursday to celebrate the opening of a new branch of the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program in the Seagull Square Shopping Plaza, expanding access to vital nutrition and health services for families in Lakewood’s southern neighborhoods.
The new office marks a major milestone for the fast-growing community, which previously relied on a single WIC location at 1771 Madison Avenue near the township’s northern border. With the addition of the Seagull Square branch, officials say it will now be far easier for women and children in southern Lakewood to access the federal assistance program, which provides nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and health guidance to eligible families.
“This expansion reflects the County’s forward-thinking approach to meeting the needs of its residents,” said Lakewood Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller. “Lakewood’s population continues to grow at record pace, and we are grateful to the Ocean County Health Department for ensuring that every family — in every neighborhood — has convenient access to essential health and nutrition resources.”
The new branch is the product of years of coordination between Township and County officials, along with Rabbi Lipa Klein of the CARES organization, which serves Lakewood’s Yiddish-speaking communities. The facility was designed to be bright, modern, and welcoming, with a special emphasis on cultural sensitivity and ease of access for the families it serves.
State Senator Robert Singer, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Ocean County Board of Health, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Ocean County Commissioners Frank Sadeghi, Jennifer Bacchione, and Robert Arace; Lakewood Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein; Township COO Trish Komsa; Ocean County Public Health Coordinator Daniel Regenye; Assistant Coordinator Patricia High; Board of Health Chairman John Mallon; and NJ Department of Health Assistant Commissioner Kelly Anderson-Thomas.
Officials at the event underscored Lakewood’s unique demographics and growing demand for public health services. With the township now recognized as both the fastest-growing municipality in New Jersey and the youngest — nearly half its residents are under the age of 18 — access to family health programs like WIC is increasingly vital.
Deputy Mayor Miller praised the collaboration that made the new branch possible, noting that it demonstrates “how effective local and county partnerships can be in addressing the needs of a diverse and expanding population.”
The Ocean County Health Department said it expects the Seagull Square office to relieve pressure on the existing Madison Avenue branch while significantly improving convenience for families across southern Lakewood.
“This is a meaningful step forward for Lakewood,” Miller added. “It’s about ensuring that every mother and child — no matter where they live — has the opportunity to receive the care and support they need to thrive.”
