Kiera (she/her) is the project manager of Fix It First, Epicenter’s housing rehabilitation program, and performs administrative assistance. She is a local resident of Green River, new mother, and an artist. In her free time, Kiera enjoys nature and art in every form.
Maria Sykes: Kiera, welcome to the Epicenter team! Tell the readers a little bit about yourself. Where are you coming from? Where were you born and raised?
Kiera Mecham: I moved from Layton (UT) to Green River in 2021. I was born in Layton, but I grew up everywhere in Utah really. I got to see all of the different sides of our beautiful state, and I’m so grateful for the friends that I’ve made along the way.
MS: What was the very first thing you noticed about Green River when you pulled into town when you moved here 5 years ago?
KM: Honestly the first thing I noticed was how quiet it was and then all of the historical buildings that line Main Street. The stars at night were so bright and plentiful, I almost couldn’t believe it. It was breathtaking.
MS: Now that you’ve been here a few years and you’re a married new mom, what do you think about Green River, the place and the community?
KM: I feel like there isn’t a community like ours anywhere else. We all support each other in our own ways and I feel like that’s what makes us special. Everywhere my little family goes someone asks how we’re doing and if my son is giving us a hard time, in jest of course, but at the core of it our community cares. I love Green River. It has become a part of my heart and I know that this is my home. There’s so much beauty in our small town and everyday I keep finding more and more things that make me love it here even more.
MS: In a town where everyone knows everyone, how do you hope to build community with your neighbors?
KM: I hope to help them in any way that I can. It’s important to feel like you have someone you can rely on, and if it’s something I can help with, I’ll do it in a heartbeat.
MS: Is there a specific spot in the surrounding desert or along the river that feels like home to you?
KM: The Book Cliffs. Every time I see them in the distance I visibly relax because I know I’m home. They’re the first thing you usually see when you first drive into town. When the sunlight hits them just right they glow. It’s breathtaking.
MS: What appealed to you about working at Epicenter?
KM: I’ve always wanted to help my community, but I never knew how. When I heard about Epicenter and what you’re about I knew this is somewhere I could achieve that.
MS: How do you spend your free time? What are some of your interests or hobbies?
KM: I love to do pretty much anything creative. I mostly do mixed media art on a canvas, but I also enjoy drawing traditionally and digitally. I am completely self taught with knitting, crochet, sewing, and all of the skills I mentioned before. Mostly though I spend a lot of time with my family and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
MS: What book, podcast, tv show, or artist is currently fueling your creative tank?
KM: Trent Reznor is an incredible artist. He’s been one of my favorites for a little over a year now and currently still inspires me. There’s just something about the way he creates music that’s so unique it inspires me to “think outside of the box.”
MS: And we’ll end on one of my favorite questions: If you could have one superpower, what would it be? And no cheating (power mimicry)!
KM: If I could have a super power I’d love to have the ability to heal wounds inside and out. I truly love to help people and I hate seeing others hurt.