Early BYRD
Rooted to Soar:
About Us
Welcome to Early BYRD, where we plant the seeds of emotional intelligence and nurture young hearts to soar. We believe every child has the potential to rise above challenges, and we’re here to provide the tools—and the wings—to make it possible.​
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Our mission blends passion with purpose: Through our BYRD Incubators, we transform dedicated college students into trained Flight Instructors, equipping them with the skills to deliver our innovative WINGS curriculum. These instructors then bring this transformative learning experience to elementary school NEST Sites, creating environments where young minds can discover, grow, and thrive.
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We’re building a movement where youth development and mental wellness take flight together—rooted in research-based practices and branching out into communities that need it most.
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BYRD Migration Network
Our work thrives within a collaborative network. By linking higher education institutions, elementary schools, and community partners, we create a pathway where social-emotional learning spreads and takes root, empowering young learners and future educators alike.
The Challenge We're Addressing
Today’s children face unprecedented challenges, from stress and anxiety to systemic inequities. Yet, many lack the resources and support needed to navigate these obstacles successfully. While schools strive to foster students’ emotional growth, resource constraints often leave these efforts underdeveloped. Early BYRD bridges this gap by creating an ecosystem where emotional support and social-emotional skills can flourish.
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The National Landscape
✦ Only 57% of schools have systemic SEL programs
✦ Less than 25% implement SEL programs effectively across all grades
✦ 60% of teachers report inadequate training in SEL implementation
✦ On average, there's one school counselor for every 444 students (recommended ratio is 1:250)
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Baltimore City
✦ One-third of children experience multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
✦ Current resources provide one school psychologist for every 550 students.
✦ Nearly half of students face chronic absenteeism.
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District of Columbia
✦ 37% of youth report anxiety or depression—significantly higher than the national average.
✦ Less than 40% of schools have fully implemented evidence-based SEL programs.
✦ Mental health resources are unevenly distributed across wards, leaving many underserved.
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BYRD Approach
✦ Build Strong Wings: Cultivate resilience and coping skills.
✦ Young Minds in Flight: Deliver youth-centered, age-appropriate programming.
✦ Rooted in Research: Use of research-based SEL practices for lasting impact.
✦ Deepen Community Connections: Partnerships between schools, universities, and families.
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Our Flock
Lejae Woolcock
Founder & Executive Director
For Lejae, the seeds of Early BYRD were planted during her own journey of discovery. While teaching in historically under-resourced communities and drawing from her Psychology background, she found profound healing in nature—her personal prescription for well-being. Her experiences, along with the exploration of diverse therapeutic practices, revealed a simple but transformative truth: emotional well-being is a lifelong journey of learning, practice, and self-discovery that everyone deserves to embark on.
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As Executive Director, Lejae nurtures Early BYRD’s growing nest, creating spaces where young people's unique stories can flourish and take flight. With a deep understanding of trauma and a belief that emotional well-being is an ongoing process, she leads with compassion, vision, and the conviction that growth is a journey, not a destination.
Ajaycia Jackson
Board Secretary
Growing up in Boston's urban communities, Ajaycia became intimately aware of mental health disparities, a reality that has shaped both her professional work and community involvement. As a person-centered, strengths-based mental health counselor, she creates safe spaces where individuals and families can explore their paths to healing. With a specialization in African and Caribbean mental health, Ajaycia brings cultural understanding and personal experience to her practice, recognizing that each person's journey to wellness is unique.
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As Early BYRD's Board Secretary, Ajaycia ensures strong organizational governance by managing board meetings, maintaining essential records, and fostering clear communication between board members and stakeholders. Her commitment to transforming lives and bridging gaps in mental health care aligns seamlessly with Early BYRD's mission of nurturing emotional well-being in communities that need it most.
Andy Moxey
Board Treasurer
The pathway to Early BYRD was illuminated by a lifetime of nurturing others' growth and healing for Andy. Rooted in his West Indies heritage and spiritual foundation his journey began with an early understanding that transformation requires both compassion and structured support. His path through social work and therapy revealed a fundamental truth: when people are given the right tools and guidance, they can soar to new heights of emotional well-being.
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As Board Treasurer, Andy brings his strategic insight from years of managing state-funded initiatives to help Early BYRD's resources take flight. He approaches his role with the wisdom that responsible stewardship of resources is essential for programs to truly transform lives—a philosophy that helps Early BYRD's vision continue to spread its wings.