Milwaukee is under a heat advisory, and the risks are highest for the youngest and oldest residents.
According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, heat waves lead to about 9 extra deaths per heat wave per 10,000 older adults each year.
That reality is driving local organizations to act. ERAS Seniors Network is distributing about 50 air conditioning units to seniors in need living in the Harambee neighborhood and surrounding areas.
Watch: How Milwaukee seniors can get a free AC unit during heat wave:
Freda Wright, program manager for ERAS Seniors Network, said the effort grew out of a clear gap in resources.
"The need started when we noticed underserved seniors needed air."
Fredrick Collier, president of Collier's Training Institute, works alongside ERAS to install the units at no cost to recipients.
"The pain that they have and the quality of life that they're living in our communities. It's not so good, so to be a part of this is a heartfelt situation."
Seniors interested in the program can contact Wright by phone at 414-488-6927 or by email at freda.wright@eras.org.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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