About EPH

EPH was started in 2021 by Indigo Perry, Lynn Stanton, and Lyn Van Tighem, who have worked in the nonprofit sector for a combined total of 60+ years. They noticed that seniors weren’t getting the help they needed to be prepared for the next emergency – which could be right around the corner.

Get Prepared. Stay Prepared.

Our Mission

Formed to reach older adults, EPH provides senior-centered emergency education and resources to help them get prepared, and stay prepared.

Milestones

2023

September - 750 seniors served since launch

August – 600 seniors served

2022

September – Table at 10th Annual Petaluma Community Emergency Preparedness Fair

July – Invited to present along with county emergency responders at an event sponsored by Sonoma County Emergency Services

June – 100 seniors served since launch

May – Workshops begin for PEP Housing senior communities in Petaluma

April – EPH becomes a member of Sonoma County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster)

March – Presentation to the Petaluma Senior Advisory Committee

February – EPH is invited to speak at a Neighborhood Preparedness event in northern Sonoma County

January – Emergency Prep Help becomes a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives, a registered tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN# 94-3255070

2021

September / October – Four successful pilot emergency preparedness workshops at PEP Housing senior communities in Santa Rosa

March – Concept of Emergency Prep Help was born, with a focus on serving seniors. Registered our domain name

Community Partners

Response from our residents has been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. Many have expressed appreciation for the attention to their safety, the go-bag supplies and comprehensive emergency information, and the opportunity to connect with their local first responders. We are grateful to Emergency Prep Help for providing this valuable service to help our residents stay safe.

Sharon Patchin, Director of Resident Services, PEP Housing

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Cofounders

Indigo, Lyn, and Lynn met years ago while working at COTS, a leading homeless services provider in the North Bay. In fact, each of them served as COTS’ Volunteer Coordinator at different times in their careers. Over the years, their passion for service kept them working in the nonprofit sector and they continued to cross paths, becoming good friends in addition to professional colleagues.

Indigo Perry

Indigo brings over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit world, from the Girl Scouts and other youth programs to working with the homeless and low-income seniors. After losing everything in a wildfire, Indigo worked as a disaster case manager to help her community recover. She noticed that seniors and other vulnerable citizens were more likely to prepare for an emergency if the information was targeted specifically to them, and so helped launch EPH.

Lyn Van Tighem

Lyn began her career in human services in 2005 as COTS’ first Volunteer Coordinator. She became a key contributor on their Development team in the areas of database administration, revenue analysis, and grants management. Later, as an independent consultant, Lyn assisted more nonprofits, such as Burbank Housing and Santa Rosa Community Health, track and manage their donor relationships. While helping her mom to live independently and safely in her own home, Lyn realized the unique needs and challenges for seniors around emergency preparedness, and jumped on the EPH train.

Lynn Stanton

Lynn has worked in the nonprofit world for over 20 years, including Spirit Rock Meditation Center and Other Avenues Natural Foods Cooperative in San Francisco. At COTS, an award winning homeless shelter in Petaluma, Lynn was the Volunteer Coordinator and worked in Development. She has worked with seniors in varying capacities throughout her career, at B’nai Israel Jewish Center, SHARE Sonoma County, and the Village Network of Petaluma. While working with this older population, Lynn became increasingly concerned with their safety, and saw the need to help them prepare for emergencies.

Advisory Board

Damon Hill

Damon Hill has worked for the Marin County Free Library for over 22 years. As Library Services Manager, he currently oversees facilities, technology, accessibility, data, planning, and evaluation for all 10 library branches. Engaging with the public in different capacities throughout his career, Damon developed a keen equity and inclusion lens, which helps ensure that the most vulnerable citizens receive services and programs.
During his tenure, Damon has participated in various emergency preparedness and disaster response activities, including developing emergency supply plans and operational strategies, collaborating with other organizations, and serving in the Emergency Operations Center.

Shirley McFarren

Shirley comes to EPH with over 40 years of accounting experience. For the last ten years, as Accounting Manager, she has been overseeing the finances for COTS, an award winning homeless shelter in Petaluma, CA. Prior to working for COTS, Shirley spent twenty-four years working at the Marin Independent Journal in various roles, including Finance Manager. When she heard about Emergency Prep Help, Shirley was excited to support this outstanding project that her former colleagues had established.