Building pathways from cradle to career
Cradle to Career
At SENT, every neighbor deserves the chance to learn, grow, and build a stable future, from the earliest years of life into adulthood. This is our cradle-to-career approach, carried out through two programs
Like all of SENT's work, this pillar runs on our wraparound model of care, anchored by Neighbor Advocacy.
Campus Connections
Connect. Create. Build. Serve.
Free after-school program for grades 6 through 12 at Eisenhower Middle, Highland Park High, and Avondale Academy
Small cohorts of 5 to 8 students paired with a dedicated mentor for up to four years
Rotating stations in the arts, academics, music, coding, finance, and more
The Bridge Builders Investment Club teaches students real-world investing and personal finance skills
Neighbor Advocacy connects students and families to further support when needed
Workforce development is not just about filling jobs. It is about building pathways to stability, purpose, and leadership.
Workforce Development
A job isn't always enough to build a stable life.
Training, credentials, mentorship, and hands-on experience for adults
Helps neighbors move beyond minimum wage work toward real career growth
GED classes, part of the Kansas Adult Basic Education Program, in partnership with Washburn University Institute of Technology. Students who pass the GED Exam will earn a Kansas State High School Diploma
Job readiness support, including preparation and placement support
Neighbor Advocacy removes barriers like transportation along the way
Why This Work Matters
The Hours Between 3 and 6 PM
Nationally, the hours between 3 and 6 PM on school days are the peak time for juvenile crime and for kids to experiment with drugs, alcohol, and other risk behaviors, making safe, structured after-school time essential.
In Southeast Topeka, roughly 72% of jobs fall into low- or moderate-wage categories, leaving many hardworking neighbors without a clear path to financial stability.
Investing in a child's education and an adult's career strengthens the whole neighborhood.
Education and career stability shape health, housing, and family well-being.
Cradle to career.
That's what it means to walk beside our neighbors.