Get to know the team connecting people and organizations to support families across Houston.

Amber Knowles is the founder and Executive Director of The Riverside Project, where she combines her background in healthcare and her passion for child welfare to create meaningful change for vulnerable children and families in Houston. A pediatric nurse practitioner by training, she holds a BSN from Baylor and an MSN from UTHealth Houston, and is a TBRI® Practitioner bringing a trauma-informed approach to her work. A data-driven network-builder, Amber focuses on solving root issues—not just symptoms—by uncovering practical, upstream, collaborative solutions to complex challenges.

Amber and her husband, Drew, a pastor in the Houston area, are parents of four—including two children adopted through foster care. She’s passionate about teamwork, celebrating small wins, and, when she’s not in the office, she’s most likely cheering on her kids at sports, watching the Astros, or eating Mexican food with friends.

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join our team, who would it be and why?

Leslie Knope would be an amazing fit for The Riverside Project because she’s energetic and makes things happen. With her passion for helping kids and communities (and her love of waffles), she’d bring the perfect mix of drive and fun to the team.

Kathleen Cowie serves as the Director of Agency Partnerships at The Riverside Project. In this role, she collaborates with child welfare organizations to strengthen support systems and expand resources for professionals and families in the foster care system. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Houston after completing her degree in Family and Human Services at John Brown University. Over the years, she has worked as a research assistant in child welfare, provided hands-on care for children and youth in foster care at an emergency shelter, and served as a Therapeutic Case Manager, walking alongside individuals experiencing homelessness. As a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) Practitioner, Kathleen believes in the power of empathy and connection to help others thrive.

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join our team, who would it be and why?

Hermione Granger. Her quick thinking, intelligence, and commitment to helping others would be invaluable to our mission. Plus, who wouldn’t want a little magic on their side?

Chandler James serves as the Chief of Staff at The Riverside Project, where he blends strategic leadership with a deep passion for mobilizing communities to meet pressing needs. With a bachelor’s degree in Religion from East Texas Baptist University and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Houston Christian University, Chandler brings a rich foundation of faith and service to his role. His experience as a Student & Next Gen Pastor has fueled his dedication to empowering churches and creating safe spaces for the next generation.

Chandler and his wife, Caitlin, are licensed foster parents. When he’s not strategizing for Riverside, Chandler enjoys running (slowly), savoring a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, and watching Marvel movies.

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join our team, who would it be and why?

I would bring on Ted from Ted Lasso! He values collaboration, out-of-the-box thinking, and is pretty goofy!

Evert Gonzalez serves as a Church Mobilization Specialist at The Riverside Project, where he partners with Hispanic churches to strengthen their capacity to serve vulnerable families. As a worship leader, Evert’s passion for service and leadership drives his mission to create meaningful community impact. Born in El Salvador, his life reflects God’s transformative grace and fuels his commitment to empowering churches with purpose and unity”.

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join our team, who would it be and why?

Daredevil – His ability to “see” beyond obstacles and his relentless pursuit of justice align perfectly with our vision of serving the most vulnerable with integrity and resilience.

Anna Rice is the Community Resource Coordinator at The Riverside Project, where she works closely with caseworkers and families to address their needs through collaboration with churches and community partners through the Response Network program. Her role is driven by a passion for empowering families from all backgrounds to build strong connections within their communities.

Born and raised in Mexico as a missionary kid, Anna has always had a heart for cross-cultural work. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. Before joining The Riverside Project, Anna gained experience in church administration and coordination, working with various churches to support their outreach efforts.

Anna and her husband, Ema, are also part of the pastoral team at their church, where they serve the Hispanic community together.

In her free time, Anna enjoys watching thriller shows, traveling, and bringing joy to those around her with her sense of humor.

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join the team, who would it be and why?

Probably Remy, because he’s so creative and we’d never have to worry about where to go for lunch!

serves as the Administrative Coordinator at The Riverside Project, where she helps cultivate an efficient and welcoming environment for staff, partners, and guests.

She holds a degree in Communications from Texas State University and has experience managing startup operations and providing direct support to families. Sarah is known for her exceptional organizational skills and her ability to keep day-to-day operations running smoothly.

Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband, toddler son, and their two ginger cats. She loves being in nature and occasionally enjoys a good home-reno or docu-soap/reality show. 

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join our team, who would it be and why?

Bandit Heeler (Bluey and Bingo’s dad) because he’s engaging and playful yet humble and compassionate, and he’s such a team player.

Sarah Kindel serves as Amber’s Executive Assistant at the Riverside Project, regularly scheduling, coordinating, and communicating with our current and potential partners to ensure the team can focus on empowering families, supporting children, and strengthening communities. A University of Houston graduate with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies and an EC–6 teacher certification, Sarah combines organizational expertise with a passion for helping others.

Outside of work, Sarah and her husband, Jared, are raising three kids, ages 6 to 16, which keeps life full of schoolwork and sports practices. She loves turning Jeopardy! into a not-so-friendly competition, and enjoys cooking new recipes, all types of documentaries, and Houston Cougar sports.

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join our team, who would it be and why?

Abbott Elementary’s Gregory Eddie would be a great fit for the team because of his patience, steady approach, and genuine care for others. He’s the kind of teammate who brings calm, support, and thoughtfulness while helping families and kids thrive. While often no-nonsense, his occasional dry humor and sarcasm provide comic relief that everyone can appreciate.

Erin Kelly is the Community Resource Coordinator at The Riverside Project, where she works to unite non-profits, organizations, and individuals in a collective effort to drive real, transformative change within the child welfare system.

Originally from Michigan, Erin in her middle school years was already researching “how to adopt” so it was no surprise she would later on become a foster parent for 10 years. Today, as a mother to biological, adopted, bonus children-and a grandmother-Erin and her husband, Mark, always have a house full of entertainment. Her passion fuels her work to help others find their place along The River, connecting families and resources in meaningful ways.

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join our team, who would it be and why?

I picture Mary Poppins floating down from the sky with her umbrella, sharing her humor, good-hearted firmness, and bringing fun to difficult situations. Plus, she would have a fix for every tangible Response Network need in that bag of hers!

Emily Blacklock serves as the Family Resource Coordinator at The Riverside Project where she works closely with caseworkers and families to meet a wide range of needs in the community. With previous experience working at foster care agencies in both Texas and Colorado, Emily is deeply passionate about improving the child welfare system and empowering families impacted by it.

Emily holds bachelor’s degrees in Communication & Leadership and Youth & Community Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. A Houston native, Emily is married to her wonderful husband, Spencer, and in her free time she enjoys traveling, spending time with loved ones, and cheering on Texas Football (Hook ’Em)!

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join the team, who would it be and why?

Phil Dunphy from Modern Family. He brings enthusiasm, positivity, and a can-do attitude to everything he does. He’s intentional in his relationships and loves his people and his community well. Plus, the more dad jokes on a team, the better!

Daren Neely serves as a Church Mobilization Specialist at The Riverside Project. Before joining The Riverside Project, Daren worked as the Program Director for Petra Cares equipping young men and women aging out foster care with skills to work in the automotive industry. Daren has over 25 years in vocational ministry as a student pastor, teaching pastor, and church planter. Daren studied Church and Community-Based Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Daren and his wife, Ashley, have two biological kids and one adopted daughter. Outside of the office, he can be found on a stage doing stand-up comedy.

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join our team, who would it be and why? I would choose Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) from Good Morning Vietnam. He was able to use humor to raise the spirits of the soldiers experiencing the trauma of war. Humor is such a healing force.

Allie Bates is the Community Resource Coordinator at The Riverside Project, where she works closely with Houston’s organizations, churches, and individuals in an effort to collectively provide for the needs of families and children in the welfare system.

After graduating with her BSBA from Auburn University, she pursued ministry in Houston while working on her MDiv at Fuller Theological Seminary. Allie now uses her passion for discipleship, community, and the Church to help people find meaningful ways to serve vulnerable families. She is deeply committed to fostering relationships that create a lasting impact and believes that everyone has a role to play in supporting children and families in need.

In her free time, Allie enjoys long walks with her dog, playing games, baking, and spending quality time with friends and family.

If you could bring one fictional character to life to join our team, who would it be and why?
I would choose Jo March from Little Women because she’s authentic, compassionate, and fiercely committed to using her gifts to serve others. She would bring creativity, determination, and a deep sense of purpose to the team. She loves hard but keeps it fun!