About Us
Epiphany Venture Partners (EVP) is a mission-driven nonprofit based in Essex County, New Jersey, dedicated to transforming underutilized properties into workforce housing for economically displaced men aged 18 to 45. In Newark, single adult men make up the majority of the homeless population yet remain the most underserved in social services, with few programs designed specifically for their needs.
EVP closes this critical gap by providing structured transitional housing combined with mental health support, mentorship, and workforce development. Our Learn-and-Earn construction apprenticeship allows residents to gain trade skills, earn stipends, and help renovate the very properties that become affordable housing for future participants.
We are not just a shelter—we are a launchpad. EVP empowers overlooked men to break cycles of homelessness and incarceration, regain independence, and reemerge as leaders and pillars within their communities—strengthening families, revitalizing neighborhoods, and creating lasting change.
My Story
I founded Epiphany Venture Partners because I know firsthand what it means to experience housing insecurity. Earlier in my life, I faced homelessness and the instability that can derail a person’s future. I also understand the deeper socio-economic forces such as generational poverty, systemic barriers, and a lack of support that make progress feel impossible for so many.
But I did not give up. Through perseverance, education, and resilience, I earned a college degree, built a successful career in investment banking, and became a real estate investor and property owner. These experiences shaped my perspective and strengthened my commitment to being a resource and advocate for those whose stories mirror my own.
Epiphany Venture Partners is the next step in that journey. Our first initiative is to acquire and rehabilitate a multifamily property in Newark to serve up to 30 residents in our pilot phase. By turning lived experience into community impact, EVP will provide the support and structure needed for the next generation to not only survive but truly thrive.
Meet Our Team
Jamarie Jones
Founder & CEO
Selena Evelyn
Co-Founder & Program Director
Russell Dent
Community Outreach Coordinator