Our
Sponsors
Businesses supporting our community
Our History
Where It All Began
NovaJean started in 2017 in a single after-school classroom with twelve students, two volunteers, and a shared conviction that the system was leaving too many young people behind. Our founder, Jean Novak, had spent fifteen years as a public school teacher watching brilliant kids fall through the cracks — not for lack of talent, but for lack of resources, mentorship, and someone who believed in them.
What began as a tutoring program quickly grew into something bigger: a full ecosystem of support that follows students from middle school through college — providing supplies, mentors, workshops, and the kind of steady encouragement that changes the trajectory of a life.
Today, NovaJean serves thousands of students across multiple communities. But the mission has never changed: remove the barriers, light the spark, and trust young people to do the rest.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Equity First
We go where the need is greatest. Every program decision starts with the question: who is being left out?
Whole-Child Support
Academics matter, but so does confidence, belonging, and hope. We support the whole person, not just the student.
Community Rooted
We partner with families, schools, and local leaders — because lasting change is built from the inside out.
Radical Belief
We believe in every young person we serve — unconditionally, persistently, and loudly.
The People Behind the Work
Meet Our Team
Jean Novak
Founder & Executive Director
A former public school teacher with 15 years in the classroom, Jean founded NovaJean after watching too many gifted students fall through the cracks. She leads with heart and holds the mission close.
Marcus Webb
Director of Programs
Marcus oversees all youth programs and partnerships. A NovaJean alum himself, he brings lived experience and deep community trust to every initiative he leads.
Priya Okafor
Director of Development
Priya leads fundraising and donor relations, connecting supporters with the stories and impact that make giving feel personal. She's raised over $800K for the mission.
Join the Mission
Whether you give $25 or $5,000, you're telling a young person their future matters. Be part of the story.
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