REENTRY NAVIGATOR

Kelly Bowling holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Duke University.  After helping to raise his two nephews, he experienced life trauma that resulted in a crippling drug addiction and incarceration.  He was incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections at Lee Correctional Institution and Turbeville Correctional Institution and was released on Parole after the Covid Pandemic in 2020.  He later spent time on Probation for charges in North Carolina.  He successfully completed the requirements of his Probation and exited the Justice System on July 3, 2025.

Kelly came to Ashville in August 2023 to enter treatment for Substance Abuse Disorder and graduated from all Program Levels at October Road.  His recovery date is August 3, 2023.  He permanently relocated to Asheville after his successful completion of the Men’s PHP program on September 18, 2023.  He has built a life based on Recovery and Service. He is a  leader in the Community of Recovery for Asheville and the surrounding area.

Kelly’s passion is creating spaces for people to recover from Substance Abuse Disorder together and offer support to one another.  This takes the form of local 12 step meetings, “Hospitals and Institutions” meetings and speaking engagements at treatment centers.  The meetings he has created and the outreach he conducts reaches hundreds of people each week.  It is called “carrying the message.”  He is passionate about teaching others to be of service and participating in programs of recovery.

Before coming to work at Operation Gateway, Kelly volunteered his time supporting people like himself, reentering society and experiencing difficulties navigating access to the Social Determinants of Health.  Another one of his passions is Resource Navigation, and Kelly is known in the community as someone capable of unlocking a vast network of resources which helps to support Returning Citizens and people seeking recovery.

Kelly is a member of Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church where he serves as a Trustee.  He is as active in the Faith Community as he is in the Recovery Community.  Kelly’s number can be found across town as he offers his time, support and love freely as he is called by his savior Jesus Christ.