By: Aaliyah Collins, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
SICKLERVILLE, NJ — As a mother to a 7-year-old autistic son, Tawanda Fields-Byrd, 51, director of A Byrd’s Nest Family Learning Center in Sicklerville, is always prepared for change. The smallest shift in her son’s routine, appetite, or behavior can ignite something far greater.
Fields-Byrd said that she moves through life guided by her faith in God and strengthened by her family and community. She learned that life doesn’t always go as planned and encourages people to embrace and welcome that. Oftentimes, what one wants for their life, doesn’t compare to the greater path that’s in store for them.
Ten years ago, Fields-Byrd was a Kindergarten teacher. She didn’t picture herself owning a daycare, let alone two. Dealing with the paperwork and responsibilities that came with it was never an ideal career path for her.
Now, she wakes up every morning driven by a single purpose: to make a difference in her community, starting with her students.
In addition to her daycare services, she runs a summer camp for children ages 5 to 12 years old. Here, they go on trips, have fun, and participate in classes such as sewing, cosmetology, financial literacy, cooking, and arts & crafts.
“Implementing a life skills camp was ideal. Getting them to not only think about skating, but to think about their life. They’re not too young,” said Fields-Byrd.
This year, Fields-Byrd plans to hold an additional summer program called Next Level, for older kids ages 13 to 15 years old. She will offer some of the same classes as the summer camp, visit colleges, and teach life skills.
She will also give them an opportunity to find something that they are interested in, and focus on it. For example, if they like to cook, then she will try to get them into a restaurant to speak with a chef. If they like to work on cars, she will try to get them into an auto repair shop to speak with a mechanic.
Fields-Byrd is also determined to provide an outlet for parents who are navigating through life, raising autistic children or children facing any type of behavioral challenges.
Once a month, she’d like to host a night where these parents can meet to sit and chat, eat, go on walks, watch a movie, make candles, paint, etc. Anything of the sort, as long as they are out and enjoying themselves. A place where children are welcome, because she knows that childcare is not always an option.
For the community as a whole, she aspires to hold an Autism Awareness Walk. Similar to breast cancer walks, mental health walks, or suicide prevention walks. She hopes that this will open people’s eyes to the struggles faced within the community and inspire people involved.
“Even if you are not in that situation, you can still advocate for things that you know are not right,” Fields-Byrd said. “Just because you’re not personally going through something, doesn’t mean that you should ignore it.”
Making a difference doesn’t require power, money, or fame. All it takes is an individual who cares deeply enough about something to speak up about it.
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