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ISSUE NO. 11 • March 19, 2026 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
U & I Enrichment & Recovery Center;
A place of hope, a place of change Article & Photos By: Scott Carpenter
people face when they are initially released from Walker Kirkpatrick was released incarceration. Many, from prison about two weeks ago. he said, have no family Determined to change his life for support, no direction, and the better, Kirkpatrick turned to U & very little hope. I Enrichment & Recovery Center in He wants the recovery Forest City. Kirkpatrick, according to center to be a place of board member and volunteer Leslie hope, a place of change, Smith, is precisely the type of individual and a place where the organization is seeking to help. connections are made. After meeting him for the first inThe recovery center has person interview on March 12, Smith taken a step forward, and said that she sees hope. recently hired its first paid “I see hope, because I know that it staff person, Abreainn can be done. I know from experience, Terry. She, along with the a person can turn their life around,” she volunteers, hold various said. support meetings, Smith speaks while connecting the from first-hand clients to resources experience. Smith and services specific overcame a history to their individual of substance needs. abuse, had a few The organization U and I Enrichment and Recovery Center, located at 119 West Main Drive, Forest City. run-ins with law is faith-based, and enforcement, and those associated with pattern was to simply run, rather than habits, while making better decisions even spent a few the recovery center see their work face the consequences. That only for his life. weeks in the county as a calling. made everything worse.” U & I Enrichment & Recovery Center jail. Statistics indicate that 30 to He spent years in youth detention is located at 119 West Main Drive in But for the past 40% of those who are released centers, and later in jails and prisons, Forest City. For additional information nine years, she Leslie Smith, board from incarceration may indeed for a variety of offenses. There were call 828-624-1305 or visit www. has been clean. member and volunteer. be rearrested within two years. periods when he was not incarcerated, uandienrichmentcenter.org. Smith works for The recovery center officials and lived a stable life. But Kirkpatrick a community support agency, has a acknowledge that becoming an made more bad decisions. family, and now spends an average of independent, productive citizen can be “I know how to mess up. I don’t want five hours each week volunteering at challenging for the clients. that anymore,” he said. “Spending time the Recovery Center. “I know there will be setbacks,” in prison, will always be a part of my Smith has been on the U & I Smith said. “If you look for excuses to past. But I don’t want that to define me Enrichment & Recovery Center board fail, you will find them. But I also know going forward.” since it was formed in August, 2021. that they can learn to again make the “God gives me hope,” Kirkpatrick “There have been dozens of men right decisions for their lives, they can continued. “I want to do God’s will. and women who have come through make good choices and have better Relying only on my will, has gotten me the center, and received assistance,” outcomes.” into trouble.” Smith said. “They all need direction, Accountability, Smith says, is U & I Enrichment & Recovery Center and information. Some need help key. Walker Kirkpatrick agrees. He is working to help clients find jobs, making connections. They all need said having people in his life, who find stable housing, and reconnect to encouragement, and they need to know understand his situation and can help society. The center officers support there are people and organizations that hold him accountable, will increase his groups, counseling, and accountability. can help them find success.” chances for success. “Places like this, give people U & I Enrichment & Recovery Center Kirkpatrick is 53 years old. opportunity to live differently,” Kirkpatrick was a dream of William and Brenda “I first got in trouble with the law, when said. “It helps us find direction. I am Logan. William Logan works as a I was 11 years old,” Kirkpatrick said. very grateful.” chaplain at the state prison in Spindale, “Me and another boy were convinced Though he has some family while Brenda Logan once operated a by a much older man, to break into a members out of state, who are eager daycare facility where the recovery Walker Kirkpatrick was recently building. That is when it started.” to see him, Kirkpatrick believes for now, center is now located. They have long released from prison, and is finding “I made one stupid choice after he is where he should be. He aims to shared a passion for helping others. direction, and hope, through the U & I another,” Kirkpatrick explained. “My find employment and establish good William Logan knows the difficulties Enrichment & Recovery Center.