Jennifer grew up in Midland, Texas, where, with her family, she learned to love and serve the poor and homeless. After graduating from the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center with a master’s degree in occupational therapy in 2010, she moved to Houston with her husband.

Through her work in various settings, she saw firsthand the effect a shower can have on an individual recovering from illness or trauma. In tying together her love for the less fortunate and her knowledge gained through her career, Jennifer founded Moving Waters and works to effect positive change in our homeless brothers and sisters in Houston.

Karen Luther has dedicated her career to serving individuals and families in need. She worked for Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) for six years, beginning as the Family Violence Center Youth Prevention Educator. She later served in the Pediatric Health Center as the Community-Centered Health Home Manager, where she collaborated with the community to address the social determinants of health impacting overall well-being.

From 2019 to 2022, Karen was the Pediatric Health Center Director at NAM, overseeing critical health initiatives. She is currently NAM’s Client Services Director, helping individuals access emergency basic needs such as food, rent/mortgage assistance, and utility support.

Karen holds a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communications from Hampton University and a Master of Divinity from Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, PA. Before her tenure at NAM, she worked in education, served as the Executive Director of the Brown Family Health Center in Nacogdoches, Texas, and continues to serve as an adjunct professor at Springfield College, where she teaches early childhood education topics.

Additionally, Karen is a licensed minister and a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops, where she shares her expertise and passion for community service.

Jimmy Patterson and his wife, Karen, recently moved to the Houston area after 30 years in Midland, Texas. Jimmy was Director of Communications for the Diocese of San Angelo and editor of the diocesan newspaper from 2005-2017 and was a longtime writer and editor for the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

Jimmy has been awarded for his writing and was named National Family Columnist of the Year in 2009 by the Catholic Press Association, and in 2013 for investigative reporting for writing from Amman, Jordan, on the plight of displaced Syrian refugees and how they were aided by Caritas International. He is a recipient of the Fr. Michael J. McGivney Award for Volunteer Journalism for his story on efforts by Big Bend residents to assist the people of Boquillas, Mexico.

Jimmy has written several books, including A History of Character: The Story of Midland, Texas (2014), and, with Midland oilman Jim Henry, is co-author of a series of award-winning children’s books, Tales from Hoop N Holler. His wife, Karen, is an accomplished nature and landscape photographer, and together they published a children’s picture book entitled Midland A-Z in 2017.

He is currently working with Don Evans, former United States Secretary of Commerce (2001-2004), on his memoirs. Jimmy served as board president, interim executive director, and fundraiser for The Way Retreat Center in Midland; was a board member for Midland Fair Havens, a transitional housing facility for women and their children; and was a member of his church’s parish council. He was also on staff in a communications and public relations capacity for United Way of Midland, the Midland Chamber of Commerce, and Centers for Children and Families.

Dr. Varisco is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy and Assistant Director for Research Development in the Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy.

A registered pharmacist and trained health services researcher, Dr. Varisco holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. His research primarily focuses on evaluating and improving the quality of care for individuals with opioid use disorder.

In his prior work, Dr. Varisco has leveraged various primary and secondary data techniques to identify and address systemic barriers to harm reduction and treatment in provider offices and pharmacies. With funding from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts, he is currently leading a collaborative effort among three colleges of pharmacy, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, and the National Community Pharmacists Association to develop pharmacy-specific, evidence-based practice guidelines promoting access to buprenorphine in community pharmacies.

Additionally, he serves as a co-investigator on the Texas Improved Dissemination and Evaluation of Single Use Disposal Systems (TIDES), a multi-year project funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Rickey and Darlena McBride are both retirees from the Midwest region. They have lived in Texas for seven years. Rickey has over 37 years of experience as a District Manager in the insurance business, and Darlena has worked 15 years in retail sales and over 20 years as a licensed cosmetologist.

Together, they have four children and six grandchildren. Rickey is an ordained deacon, and Darlena is a licensed evangelist. They serve in their church, Life Change Ministries, and both participate in outreach community services, including volunteering for Moving Waters.

In their spare time, they love to eat, fellowship with family and friends, and travel.

Born and raised as a Ragin’ Cajun in Lafayette, Louisiana, P.J. moved to Houston in 2014. He first became aware of Moving Waters while taking a Faith & Poverty class through Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church.

“I had always donated to or participated in small ways to a variety of church-sponsored charities and events. But I had started to feel called to a more personal involvement with those in need,” he said. “Moving Waters' humble approach struck me as a simple yet powerful way to reach those so easily forgotten."

P.J. has a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and advanced degrees in Physics but currently works in IT. He has been married to the love of his life, Cameron, since 2009, and they have two daughters and a son.

David Taylor joined the Moving Waters team after years of serving in various nonprofit leadership roles. David is a father of three, Lauren, Christopher, and David II, and grandfather to Emerson and Philip. He and his wife Charleen have been married since 1979.

David earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and founded and operated his own construction company, Houston Northwest Bldg., Inc., for nearly 40 years.

David’s previous volunteer roles have included serving in the Prince of Peace Catholic Community on the Finance Council, the Building Committee, Master Plan development and budgeting, and Project Manager for the Church in the construction of five major Church projects. He has also worked with Provision, Inc. on its Building Committee, with Magnificat Houses, Inc. on its Board of Directors, as well as the Christian New Creations, Inc. Board of Directors.

David currently serves as board member and volunteer for the Society of St. John DeMatha Prison and After-Prison ministry and board chairman for Harvest and Hope Food Rescue.