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A one-month layoff was all it took to unravel a family of four’s financial footing.
Their savings were gone, a $662 utility bill was piling up, and they had already sold their washer and dryer just to cover essentials. The father found new full-time work quickly, but the setback left the family with nowhere near enough to recover on their own.
The SENT Neighbor Advocacy team stepped in to help close the gap.
- The family was able to put $162 toward their utility bill, and SENT covered the remaining $500 to prevent disconnection.
- The team secured a $750 emergency grant so the family could replace their washer and dryer.
- We connected them with our food pantry, cutting grocery costs by an estimated $700 a month.
With their utilities secured, their laundry needs met, and their grocery budget stretched further, this family isn’t just recovering; they’re rebuilding, with room to finally start saving again.
In 2025, Neighbor Advocates coordinated 1,047 referrals, including 702 internal connections to SENT programs and 345 external referrals to community partners.
Stories like this are why we do this work.
Founder & Executive Director
DONATE | VOLUNTEER | PARTNER
Thank you!
We are honored to share that SENT Inc. has been awarded a Kansas Health Foundation Transformation Grant in support of our work advancing financial stability and upward mobility for neighbors in Southeast Topeka. We are deeply grateful to the Kansas Health Foundation for this investment and for their belief in the long-term vision of neighborhood transformation. Read the full press release to learn more about what this grant will make possible.
Thank you to everyone who made our Annual Halloween Costume Giveaway and Child Mental Wellness Fair a success. We couldn’t do this without our volunteers! A special thank you to our event sponsors Kansas Gas Service, a division of ONE Gas, and Link Wealth Strategies, and to our in-kind sponsor KVC Kansas. We are also grateful to our partners and vendors who showed up to serve families: KVC Kansas, Randy White (Massage Therapist), GraceMed, Kansas Department for Children and Families, American Red Cross, Soul Fire Nutrition, Healthy Blue Kansas, and Astra Mental Health and Recovery. Together, we created a morning full of joy, wellness, and community.
On September 17, we were honored to participate in the Nancy Perry Day of Caring alongside United Way of Kaw Valley and volunteers from across our community. Volunteers spent the morning clearing brush, removing trash from neighborhood cleanup sites, and getting their hands dirty in our community garden — pulling weeds, cleaning raised beds, and building a brand new compost bin. Thank you to United Way of Kaw Valley and every volunteer who gave their morning to Southeast Topeka.
Read Christine Caplinger’s Biography
Meet our Board Vice Chairperson — Christine Caplinger.
Christine is the Owner and CEO of Verity Title and the Owner and Attorney of Caplinger Law. She was drawn to SENT Inc. because of the organization’s big-picture approach — not simply addressing one issue at a time, but intentionally building systems of support that strengthen individuals, families, and neighborhoods as a whole.
In her own words:
“I got involved in SENT to help improve areas of Topeka that are potential shiny diamonds that help our city stand out. I wanted to offer my time to help improve my hometown and to make Topeka and areas like Hi-Crest that are frequently overlooked be something that we Topekans can be proud of.”
We are so excited to announce our Employee of the Month — Jill Rice!
Jill goes above and beyond in her efforts every day to help move SENT’s work forward every day. Her leadership and commitment to our community makes such a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Jill’s recent effort to put all the moving pieces together for our strategic planning sessions was truly remarkable. Her work resulted in having 50 staff, board members, donors, community members and partners attend strategic planning. Jill leads with the belief that lasting community change happens when organizations choose collaboration.
Jill Rice, Operations Director
At the end of September, SENT Inc. held its annual Strategic Planning Sessions — and this year was our largest yet. Nearly 50 board members, staff, community members, partners, and grant writers gathered over two days to shape SENT’s vision for 2027. Together, we left with organizational and departmental goals, 80% of our 2027 calendar in place, an approved budget, and clear funding priorities and strategies.
A heartfelt thank you to McElroy’s for hosting us in their Conference Center, and a special thank you to Rene Dean for giving up her Saturday to support our group.
As Johnathan reminded us to kick off the sessions: “You don’t have to be fearless or flawless to lead. Stay willing. Keep growing. And bring someone with you.” We are energized and ready for what is ahead.
SENT Inc. Commentary
Want to know what we are thinking, talking about, and working toward? Visit the SENT Inc. Commentary page for recent program updates, organizational news, and impact stories straight from our team.
2026 Events
The Partnership Hour
🗓️ A one-hour event held most months on the third Friday, giving community partners a close look at SENT’s work. Upcoming dates: October 16 | November 20 | December 18
🗓️ November 15 | December 7
Join us for one of our upcoming Homebuyer workshops—designed to help you understand the process, build confidence, and explore real opportunities. Details and times found online.
Pictures with Santa & Family Health Fair
🗓️ December 12, 2026