Nonpro t
BY SHELBIE HAMILTON
The organization is led by Executive Director Myron Wilson.
COURTESY DIRECTION 61:3
The organization hosts life skills classes for its participants.
The main o ce of Direction 61:3 is located in north McKinney
COURTESY DIRECTION 61:3
SHELBIE HAMILTON COMMUNITY IMPACT
Direction 61:3 supports aging-out foster youth
Nonpro t organization Direction 61:3 has served youth that have aged-out or are close to aging out of foster care since its inception in 2017. The organization is aiming to grow its north McKinney facilities to serve an even larger population, Executive Director Myron Wilson said. The approach Wilson, a former worship pastor, said he rst encountered a child in the foster care system in need through his church. The encounter inspired Wilson to help address the challenges foster youth face as they “age out” of the foster care system. After forming the nonpro t, a home was donated to the organization that could be used to house foster youth in need. The organization now operates six homes across North Texas and is expected to open a seventh home for pregnant girls this fall, Wilson said. Each home houses three to four individuals between the ages of 14-24 who are aging out or have already aged out of the foster care system, in addition to trained adults acting as house parents, Wilson said. The details The faith-based organization aims to support the education of each program participant, both through a classroom setting as well as through practical life skills, Wilson said. A weekly Tuesday night gathering called “Thrive” o ers program
participants a chance to socialize, learn life skills and participate in spiritual conversations. “We try to point them in a healthy direction and we give them direction in their lives,” Wilson said. Participants often remain in the program for 1-2 years and about 85 individuals have participated in the program, he said. Diving deeper A new pool house facility is under construction at the organization’s main o ce, which will also serve as a private meeting space, but the organiza- tion is looking to grow to serve more foster youth. The organization’s Launch a Legacy capital campaign is aiming to raise a total of $8.47 million for the construction of a community of homes to house aging-out foster youth. The plan for the organization’s roughly 5-acre property in north McKinney includes 19 homes, an automotive shop, garage carriage houses, an event center and recreational areas. “We turn down anywhere from four to six youths a week that we don’t have availability for, so we’re trying to get this community of homes built so that we can help take in more kids,” Wilson said. The organization is looking to raise $3.8 million by the end of 2024, he said, which would allow for construction to begin on the rst phase of the project next year.
The organization plans to construct a community of homes for aging-out foster youth in north McKinney.
RENDERING COURTESY DIRECTION 61:3
The organization plans to build an event center with a co ee shop.
RENDERING COURTESY DIRECTION 61:3
168
N
3286 CR 168, McKinney www.direction613.org
25
MCKINNEY EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook