OUR Leadership

As a missionary working in the field with youth transitioning out of an orphanage, the Lord opened a passion in my heart. Returning to the states I was able to become a TBRI Practitioner and continue working in this area, but with a broader knowledge of trauma.

As an adoptive mom, foster respite family and a heart to serve those that didn’t get a choice in the beginning of their story, I value the importance of serving youth aging out of foster care.

First and foremost, my mission is to connect youth with a home so that they can switch from “survival mode” to “thriving mode”, realize their potential and unlock their success. Secondly, our youth cannot navigate this journey by themselves and need dedicated trained parents to come alongside them and walk this winding road with them. Neither path is easy, and both require tears, dedication, and perseverance.

Watching, guiding, and supporting our youth and parents in this mission and seeing dreams and hopes being realized is an “Absolute Slice of Heaven”!  These relationships along with the commitment and combined experience of the Direction61:3 team makes my job as the Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator impactful.

Another big part of my job is making sure Direction61:3 maintains compliance with the many states regulatory entities, ongoing audits, and policies-procedures. I have thirty years of hands-on experience working in the field of social services with youth and families specializing in trauma and crisis. My other interests include eating cookies, reading, hiking, Zumba and boot camp workouts, and spending time with friends and family.

Direction 61:3 has given me an opportunity to continue serving youth in the foster care setting. As the Program Director, I am looking to further develop programs that benefit our youth and provide the supervision and training needed for our foster parents, respite workers and mentors that work directly with them.  

I have the privilege at Direction to use my 25 years of experience with a background as a counselor, houseparent, case manager and program supervisor in group care, foster care and social service to minister with other Direction staff and meet the needs of our foster youth. My driving passion is to be part of our foster youth’s growth emotionally and spiritually, as well as preparing our youth to live independently. I enjoy tennis, hunting, fishing, teaching martial arts, and spending time with my four amazing grandkids.  

Katie has over 20 years of experience working in finance in non-profits.  She is passionate about helping and serving others in the workplace and in her personal life. She is an active member of Hope Fellowship and serves in both the children and student ministry. Her heart for kids in foster care has allowed her to serve as a CASA and Respite Provider in the past and she is excited to join our staff and combine her passion of finance and helping kids transition out of foster care. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, baking and reading. 

As I have grown in my relationship with God over the years, and as an adoptive mom, my passion and deep desire to care for the vulnerable has grown dramatically. It is clear in His Word that Jesus has a tender heart for the hurting, and I cannot ignore that.

Although an elementary teacher by profession, I have served in ministry and missions for many years. My heart’s desire is to love like Jesus loves, make disciples, and make much of Him wherever He places me. I am honored to serve each and every young person that God brings to Direction 61:3 as Thrive Coordinator, and I pray they know they are truly treasured, valued, and loved by God, first and foremost!

It is my privilege as the Volunteer Coordinator to identify service opportunities for those who have a heart for our youth aging out of foster care.  By building a network of support, we hope to equip our youth well to transition from a mode of simply surviving to thriving.   

Whether it’s providing a meal or respite for a house parent, mowing a lawn or mentoring a youth, God can use all of us to make a powerfully positive change in the trajectory of our youth.   

Having previously served in urban ministry and non-profits supporting foster and adoptive families, I’m now excited to be a part of the Direction 61:3 family. 

I am a retired engineer after nearly 35 years with a major defense contractor in the area.  When I heard about the opening at Direction 61:3 for a Property Manager, I thought this was right up my alley as God blessed me with enjoying the outdoors and the skills and aptitude for hands-on type handy-man work. 

It gives me great pleasure to assist with an organization whose purpose is to walk alongside older and aged out foster youth providing a faith-based network of support as they transition to become vibrantly independent young adults

Lisa Woody is a Christian wife and homeschool mom of 3 who grew up in New Hampshire and the DC area before moving to Texas 25 years ago. With a background in marketing and editorial work, she now shares her knowledge as a high school teacher, specializing in economics, government, and logic, while maintaining a passion for reading.

She has a heart for supporting foster and adoptive parents and youth. She is excited to help our youth transition into their full potential for the next season of life! 

I am currently serving as Houseparent and Maintenance/Groundskeeper at Direction613.  I never thought of serving in ministry until Jesus saved me from addiction, depression, and suicide. His mercy and guidance led me here.

I met Direction613 at my church in Denton. I volunteered to help with the groundskeeping at the Denton house and God opened door after door leading to the current position of houseparent and maintenance/groundskeeper.  My faith, life experiences and my own adoption motivates me to help the young men and women thrive as adults.  I am so blessed to witness their growth and to be a part of their lives.  

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

I always wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember.  I finally became one when I was 32.  I now have 3 kids in their 20’s. I have worked as a teacher, resident advocate at a domestic violence shelter and house parent. I love helping and guiding these young women to become successful and independent. I have found the job I always wanted! Mom to aged out and foster girls!

One of the key aspects of supporting teens in foster care is providing them with a stable and nurturing environment. As a single woman living alone, I decided to step out on faith and trust God to lead me through this journey. Many teens have experienced trauma and loss. By providing them with a stable home, emotional support, educational opportunities, and life skills training, we empower these teens to overcome their challenges and build a brighter future. 

I was adopted at the age of 5 and I was blessed with wonderful parents who raised me to have love and compassion in my heart for others no matter who they are. I may not see the fruit of what I am trying to plant in our teens today or tomorrow, but God is always working.

“Dear children, let us not love with words and speech but with actions and in truth”
1 John 3:18

I have always wanted to be a mom. I have always said, “I’m a mom with no kids.” Due to health reasons, I have never been able to have my own.  Being a foster parent to these boys has given me the opportunity to be the mom that I have always wanted to be.  Being able to build these bonds and relationships with them has meant the world to me. At times, it is definitely a struggle because they are teenagers, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Knowing that I am making an impact on them and that I get to guide and support them in their daily lives has been the greatest blessing. -Kristen 

I have always had a passion for working with youth. In the past, I have worked in group homes, residential treatment centers, rehabilitation centers, and juvenile detention facilities.  My past experience allows me to use the skills I have learned to help guide these boys to make the right choices and to want better for themselves. I have a teenage son of my own, and I know that some of these boys don’t have a ”father figure” in their lives, so I get to be that for them. One of my favorite quotes is, “The most important thing in life, is showing up.” Doing what I do allows me to live by that quote and show up for these boys every day.  -Raul