“We can’t control the temperature, but we can control how we show up for one another. Beat the Heat is about more than air conditioners—it’s about dignity, equity, and building a future where no family has to suffer in silence.”
— Johnathan Sublet, Executive Director, SENT Inc.

Help Us Beat the Heat—Today and for the Future

Hot weather is on the way—and 2023 was the hottest year on record. For too many families in Southeast Topeka, that doesn’t mean barbecues and ballgames—it means unbearable heat inside their homes. In neighborhoods where housing is older and trees are scarce, climate change hits harder and hurts longer.

That’s why SENT is once again launching our Beat the Heat initiative—for the fourth year in a row.

This effort is part of our broader vision to address the challenges of extreme heat in under-resourced neighborhoods. SENT is building long-term solutions: planting trees, growing community gardens, improving walkability to reduce emissions, and constructing net-zero homes to end energy poverty. These changes take time—but families need help now.

Why Heat Hits Harder in Some Neighborhoods

Extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the U.S., claiming more than 1,200 lives each year. And not everyone feels the heat the same way. In Topeka, wealthier areas have up to 30% more tree cover than neighborhoods like Hi-Crest (American Forests). That gap creates hotter conditions and puts lives at risk—especially for seniors, kids, and those with health challenges.

How SENT’s Beat the Heat Helps

We’re stepping in with life-saving support. For just $50, a family receives a window A/C unit—often the difference between dangerous heat and safe conditions. With help from local partners, we aim to raise $7,000 to provide 50 families with units this summer. Families install the units themselves.

But this isn’t just about today. By planting trees, making streets more walkable, and building net-zero homes, SENT is creating cooler, safer neighborhoods for years to come. Beat the Heat is both relief and resilience.

How You Can Help

Donate to the Beat the Heat Fundraiser at senttopeka.com/beat-the-heat-fundraiser
Connect us with families who need an A/C unit
Share this campaign with friends, family, and neighbors

Resources:

Thank you for helping us create a safer, more resilient summer for our neighbors.

With gratitude,

Johnathan Sublet

Founder, Executive Director

johnathan@senttopeka.com