Maranda Weathermon is the new executive director at the Kemmerer Senior Center. She said she looks forward to the specific challenges of running the center. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Maranda Weathermon is the new executive director of the Kemmerer Senior Center. Weathermon is a Wyoming native who grew up in Powell and Laramie.

Her husband was in the military, so the family lived in several different states before coming back to Wyoming.

“After so many places, it’s nice to be home,” Weathermon said.

Before taking this position, Weathermon worked at veterinary practices and animal shelters. Her previous position was the executive director of an animal sanctuary.

“I like this job because it’s different,” Weathermon said. “I get to see and interact with people all day, but I’m still working in the nonprofit arena.”

Weathermon said the biggest challenge the Senior Center currently faces is the lack of patrons coming to the center, and she is excited to tackle that challenge.

“There’s a stigma among the seniors here that they aren’t old, and so they won’t come here,” Weathermon said. “It’s not just meals. People tend to forget about all the other activities and programs that we offer.”

Weathermon said her previous experience working with non-profits and seeking grants will be valuable in securing funding for the senior center.

“We don’t want the senior center to be its own bubble,” Weathermon said. “We’re looking at different ways to get people in the door, such as a seed swap where people come and swap their seeds to prepare for the summer gardens — things like that that involve and improve our whole community.”

Weathermon said she is grateful for the local support extended to her so far.

Weathermon and her husband of 10 years have four children, ages 9, 8, 6, and six months.

“Kemmerer is a really friendly town, and that community support is huge,” Weathermon said.

The new director said she looks forward to offering her own support to the community to best serve the people attending the senior center.

“We will attend city council meetings to ensure that the needs of our seniors and the vulnerable members of our community are met,” Weathermon said.

She said she understands the need for strong relationships between the senior center employees and the community members.

“If anyone has ideas on how we can improve and get people to come and enjoy what we have at the senior center, my door is always open to talk,” Weathermon said.