Advot in Action

By: Annie Kee, Managing Director

May 2025

When I speak with prospective candidates for hire, I’m always proud to share how much Advot has grown since I started. Since January 2018, our budget has tripled, and our team has quintupled. We started at just three sites—now, we serve 17. And we’re still growing.

This expansion continues into high schools, community centers, and juvenile facilities. Just this spring, we launched a new program at an afterschool site in a high school. Every Monday afternoon, my co-facilitator, Kaci, and I head into Boyle Heights to lead the class.

Starting at a new site is always both humbling and revealing. Creating a positive classroom culture from the ground up shows just how many factors shape our ability to connect and make an impact.

The space changes everything.

We had hoped to teach in a spacious theater—but instead, we’ve been placed in a small corner of an often-crowded library. The physical environment affects everything: how we run warm-ups, how scenes are performed, and even how safe students feel to participate.

We have to create a sense of safety, regardless of space: 

The few brave students who’ve joined us often find themselves overheard by others. Imagine trying to open up emotionally while sitting at a desk in a library, surrounded by bookshelves, with peers nearby. It’s our job to create safety in spite of the space. We role model tone of voice, lean in to hear our students better, and try to keep the looky loos out of the space as best we can.

Presence makes a difference.

At our very first session, our site partner was present. He modeled curiosity and engagement, setting a tone that invited students in. But since that first day, we’ve barely been greeted—and student engagement has waned. Still, a small, consistent group keeps returning. They choose to be there and, now, they are expecting us.

Showing up takes many forms.

Naomi always says, “A successful Advot class is the one we show up for.” I remind our team: showing up isn’t just physical presence. It’s bringing energy, consistency, and care—even when the setting isn’t ideal. And our students notice. They show up, too—week after week. They listen, laugh, act, share, and grow.

I’m excited to keep showing up for them—and to continue offering a space where they can do the same. It’s been a privilege.