Dr. Myron Wilson and Direction 61:3: Transforming Saplings Into Oaks
In the 1960’s American educator and philosopher Loren Eiseley wrote a story titled “The Star Thrower”, an anecdote that has morphed over time into a well known inspirational parable. In modern retellings an old man watches a young boy throwing starfish, washed ashore during high tide, back into the ocean. Observing the miles of sand ahead of them and the countless starfish being dried in the morning sun, the old man scoffs that the boys efforts cannot possibly make a difference. Gently returning a starfish to the water the young boy said confidently, “It made a difference to that one.” Dr. Myron Wilson finds himself standing on a similar shore, with miles of work ahead, assuredly making a difference to youth in North Texas who have aged out of foster care. “This is an invisible population,” he says with deep compassion evident in his voice. “People don’t realize that this is happening in their own backyard.” While North Texas, and Collin County in particular, enjoys a continued season of prosperity and booming development, some of its youth are being overlooked and left behind.
What many of us are not aware of is that every year almost 3,000 Texas youth age out of the foster care system. Often, and ideally, these young people continue to receive support from loving foster parents that help them enroll in college or learn a trade, and assist them as they begin their journey into the independence that comes with young adulthood. Unfortunately this is not always the case. “Around 40% of our homeless population are young people who have aged out of the foster care system,” says Dr. Wilson, “when I first learned that, well man, that tore me up.” Being made aware of the problem, and a chance encounter with a young lady, aged out of foster care and living out of a van she had been gifted, turned Dr. Wilson’s compassion into action. “I wanted to do a home, just one home, where we could help these kids,” he recalls. “So the ministry really began at that point, but I also had my job as a worship pastor at a local church. I was there for 25 years and I loved what I was doing but we got a new pastor who, understandably, wanted to bring some new staff in and so I was out. I was let go on a Monday and on Tuesday the Direction 61:3 board appointed me as the executive director.”
From that point on, there has been no looking back and Dr Wilson began to grow Direction 61:3, a faith-based nonprofit that has become a cornerstone of hope and stability for aging-out foster youth across North Texas. The name Direction 61:3 comes from the Bible verse in Isaiah 61:3, a passage about transformation — beauty for ashes, joy for mourning—a fitting reflection for the organizations aim of transforming the trauma and insecurity in these young lives into love and assurance. The result of this transformation, Isaiah says, will be people that “…will be called oaks of righteousness…”
Building a Community of Hope
While there is a network of group homes spread around Collin and Denton counties in the Direction 61:3 system, the heart of Dr. Wilson’s vision is "The Farm," a five-acre property in McKinney that serves as both home and haven for the youth in his care. But this isn’t just any program. It’s a full-scale community aimed at creating a sense of belonging for kids who have often spent their lives being shuffled from home to home. “They’ve been passed around and left without anyone to breathe hope into their future,” Dr. Wilson says. “Here, they’re finally part of something—a family. If they know that they matter to somebody, and that they belong, first to God and then to others, and that they matter, it's an assurance that they've never really experienced before. You give that to them and you'll watch them transform. It really is fascinating.”
The work at The Farm goes far beyond providing housing. Weekly gatherings, known as "Thrive," are where young people learn vital life skills, share meals, and engage in spiritual conversations. Dr. Wilson understands that transformation isn’t just about meeting physical needs—it’s about healing emotional wounds and instilling a belief in their own potential. “These are the kids that slipped through the cracks, and they all just want to be loved and taken care of. They have trauma. You have to work through it, but man, if people will come together lives will change,” he insists, reflecting his deep faith and commitment to holistic care.
But Dr. Wilson isn’t stopping there. With foster youth aging out of the system at alarming rates, he’s launched a bold $3.5 million capital campaign to expand Direction 61:3 and reach even more vulnerable young adults. His goal is nothing short of ambitious: to double the organization’s capacity and ensure that no child in North Texas is left without a place to call home after foster care. “We’re building more homes, a counseling center, and career training facilities,” he says. “This is about giving them the tools to thrive—life skills, job preparation, emotional healing, and spiritual growth”
The expansion will allow Direction 61:3 to house more than 50 young adults at a time, significantly reducing the number of foster youth who end up homeless, incarcerated, or worse. “Between 500 and 700 kids a year age out just in North Texas, and many have nowhere to go” Dr. Wilson points out. His passion is palpable. Dr. Wilson’s voice intensifies when he speaks about the young adults his organization serves. “We’re not just giving them shelter—we’re giving them a future. We’re showing them that someone cares. And that changes everything”
Leading with Confident Humility
Despite his pivotal role, Dr. Wilson is remarkably humble. Confident in their ability to raise the necessary funds for expansion, he consistently deflects credit to others. “We have incredible donors, volunteers, and house parents,” he says, always emphasizing the team effort behind the mission. For Dr. Wilson, it’s the generosity of the community that sustains their work, not any single person. “We’re just tools," he reflects. His humility allows him to shine a light on the contributions of others, whether it’s the house parents sacrificing to care for the youth, the volunteers offering their time and energy, or the donors whose financial support keeps Direction 61:3 thriving. Dr. Wilson isn’t merely deflecting praise, he insists on pointing the spotlight toward the people working alongside him every day. Yet, to sit in his presence for a time is to be inspired, compelled, and burdened to feel the same empathy and compassion he exudes.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Dr. Wilson’s leadership is his ability to mobilize an entire community. He believes that everyone—no matter their resources or background—can play a role in changing the lives of aging-out foster youth. “Not everyone can foster a child, but everyone can do something,” he explains. Whether it’s through a small financial contribution or volunteering time to mentor a young adult, Dr. Wilson makes it clear that community involvement is the key to sustaining and expanding Direction 61:3’s mission. There are volunteer opportunities for those who enjoy landscaping or home maintenance as well as for those who would like to provide a meal. Currently, Dr. Wilson is mobilizing AirBnB owners who are donating nights at their properties to provide a place for his volunteer house parents and foster parents to enjoy a short break. “They give so much of themselves, we want to be able to send them on a little retreat without it being an expense for them.”
The organization is also actively seeking $25-a-month donors, a manageable commitment that Dr. Wilson emphasizes can make a huge difference. “For just $25 a month, you’re helping feed and house a young person for a day—giving them a safe place to land and a chance to succeed,” he says. Additionally, the nonprofit invites local businesses and churches to partner with them through larger sponsorships and contributions to the capital campaign by funding the construction of a home. “It’s going to take all of us,” he says. “But together, we can change the future for these kids”.
Finishing Strong
“I was 57 years old and I prayed, ‘Lord, I want to finish strong. Whatever you have for me, I want to give everything I've got. Two thirds of my life is over and I want to finish strong. I want to make it count. Two months later, I was gone from my secure job at a church and was leading Direction 61:3,” reflects Dr. Wilson. Since then, his life has been a testament to the power of faith and perseverance. “We’re just conduits for God’s work,” Dr. Wilson says humbly. “This is not about us. It’s about changing lives and honoring God in everything we do”. His leadership, fueled by deep empathy and unwavering commitment, has become a guiding light not just for the youth he serves, but for the entire community of Collin County.
Dr. Wilson’s work at Direction 61:3 is nothing short of life-changing, not just for the youth whose lives are being transformed, but for everyone involved in the mission. His relentless drive, bold vision, and deep compassion have made him a leader who is truly shaping the future. He is a man on a mission, determined and confident that the invisible and overlooked will know with certainty that they are seen and they are heard.
In the conclusion of The Star Thrower, Loren Eiseley returned the narrator of his story to the beach where the young man was relocating distressed starfish to the sea. He wrote, "On a point of land, I found the star thrower…to whom I spoke once briefly. ‘I understand,’ I said. ‘Call me another thrower.’ Only then I allowed myself to think, He is not alone any longer. After us, there will be others…”. Each of us can join Dr. Wilson and the Direction 61:3 team in making a difference for the one. Together, what may seem an overwhelming task, might be the spark of lifelong transformation for a child who just needs a loving hand.
How to Be a Part of the Vision:
Donate: Help feed and house foster youth with a small donation of $25 a month.
Volunteer: Serve meals, mentor, or assist with upkeep at The Farm.
Partner: Sponsor a home, contribute to the capital campaign, or engage your business or church in supporting this vital work.
To learn more or get involved, visit Direction 61:3 at direction613.org.
Check out Direction 61:3’s Next Steps at https://direction613.aflip.in/next-steps