Direction 61:3 is a faith-based program focused on helping young people in foster care transition into thriving adults. Established in 2017 and later licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Direction 61:3 engages foster youth who are aging out of the foster care system by addressing life skills, career preparation, and building and maintaining lasting relationships. Working through a series of programs, staff assists the young adults with career placement, negotiating affordable housing, and owning their first car. Creating a village of support for participants is imperative to the mission and building relationships with youth prior to aging out is important for their success in the next stages of life. The goal is for youth 14-24 to discover God’s specific purpose for their lives while being supported through Direction 61:3’s programs.
Founded through relationships at a local church, leaders set out to address the “invisible” population of aged–out foster youth. At the age of 18, foster children are no longer under the care of the state and make up 38% of homeless people in Texas. Direction 61:3’s first residential property, Oak Creek Place, was donated in 2017 and began to operate by offering a home environment with foster parents and volunteers. Today, as the need for residential care has increased, Direction 61:3 operates 8 homes spread across Denton, Mckinney, Fairview, and Whitewright and can house 26 youth.
Direction 61:3 has acquired almost 5 acres of land called “The Farm” where a greater number of youth can be ministered to. Located near Myers Park in Mckinney and in Celina ISD, The Farm is an $8.5 million project to build 17 homes including seven tiny homes with 2 bedrooms for older and independent young adults. Younger kids will live in 4- or 6-bedroom homes with full-time foster parents. The community will include a barn-event center, pickle ball courts, coffee shop, market, automobile shop, and an outside amphitheater. The event center and amphitheater will be available for community rentals and will provide large spaces for outdoor concerts and Sunday morning church services. The teens and young adults will staff the community center and on-site businesses.
Myron Wilson, the Executive Director of Direction 61:3, shares “We turn down 4 to 6 youth per week. The more homes we can build, the more kids we can take care of, and the more kids we can save. We try to provide a home for kids who have been abandoned, abused, trafficked, and left unprotected”. Supporting the Launch a Legacy Capital Campaign can help transform the lives of some of the 1,200 foster care children that age out every year.
Direction 61:3 aims to be a family whose primary goal is to establish permanent belonging for all residents. All residents are considered family and are encouraged to engage in ongoing initiatives even once they leave the program. Residents are exposed to the culture of a healthy family through education, setting and achieving goals in the Kingdom Cars program, the supportive relationships of THRIVE, and special events like excursions to Rangers baseball games. A snapshot of some of these programs include:
Education Direction 61:3 focused on the facilitation of practical and academic skills. Through partnerships with local colleges, trade schools, and businesses, each resident will have the support and resources needed to establish and pursue their career goals. Instructive services will include life skills training, tutoring, mentorships, and peer interaction. Opportunities for on-the-job training will be available in certain situations through local business partners.
Kingdom Cars is a program where cars or designated funds are donated to Direction 61:3 and the Kingdom Cars team prepares the vehicles for youth enrolled in the Kingdom Cars program. Once the youth have learned how to acquire a license, the car buying process, purchasing insurance, the understanding of car maintenance, etc., a car is awarded to them with a contractual agreement to remain in the program for an additional year. The car enables the participant to gain further independence and security.
THRIVE is a weekly gathering that incorporates professional volunteers and leaders to provide opportunities for life skills training, mentoring, tutoring, spiritual teaching and study, and a fellowship meal. The group comes together as a Direction Family to enjoy dinner supplied by local businesses, church groups, or neighbors, that creates an environment of security and safety.
All programs are established on these core values:
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A family environment that promotes love and acceptance without judgment
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The realization of individual strengths and the celebration of goals attained
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A deep sense of belonging that permeates the life of every young woman
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The opportunity for young men and women to embrace and live in everlasting faith and relationship with Jesus Christ
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Life-long community and permanence
To partner with Launch a Legacy Capital Campaign or Kingdom Cars, contact Dr. Myron Wilson at myron@direction613.org. To support THRIVE, donate, or volunteer with Direction 61:3, visit direction613.org.
Direction: our highest priority is to direct all participants towards a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe this to be foundational in finding permanence and is the precedent for a successful future
Isaiah 61:3 …provide for those who grieve to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.