Our Mission
Advot uses the power of artistic exploration to empower young people to find their voice and grow into courageous and effective self-advocates.
“Advot” means “ripples” in the Hebrew language. Our ground-breaking Ripple Method teaches thousands of young people vital communication and relationship-building skills, inspiring them to overcome the barriers in their lives and to create ripples of change in their communities.
Being in Advot has not only made me feel less alone but showed me how much I matter as a person. I have a daughter now and it motivates me to be the best mother I can be. I'm teaching her everything I learned from Advot to keep her confidence strong.”
Charisma Poler, Advot alum
The Ripple Method
Advot’s arts-based curriculum focuses on five critical communication and relationship-building skills:
Intentional listening
Authentic Storytelling
Start with “I”
Speak Your Truth
Recognize Perspective
Advot developed the Ripple Method over the course of a decade. We have since adapted it to multiple settings, including juvenile detention facilities, afterschool programs, and religious youth groups. The method’s trauma-informed approach also aligns with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and complements many of California’s educational standards.
Our Values
Advot conducts all of our work guided by the following values:
Worthiness
Everyone deserves love, respect, and dignity. We embrace people no matter what they’ve been through, and we acknowledge the systemic barriers that prevent our youth from knowing their worth.
Possibility
Everyone has the power to write the story they want for themselves. We empower people to tap into their dreams, and to find the agency and courage to begin shaping the next chapter.
Adaptability
Change and growth don’t come with rigidity. We listen, shed preconceived notions, and adapt to what we learn from our youth and communities.
Commitment
Commitment is the basis of trust and transformation. We keep showing up, work through challenges, and don’t run away from or judge difficult spaces or stories.
Play
Creative and joyful exploration empower people to take leaps into the unknown. We lead with play in order to facilitate greater empathy, explore possibilities, and have fun as we experiment with new ways of being.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Advot seeks to create a culture and adopt business practices grounded in diversity, equity, justice, and inclusivity. Celebrating each person’s unique visible and invisible qualities including race, gender identity, age, sexuality, ability, religion, and national origin, among others, is the source of Advot’s strength.