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
2026
July - Over 3,000 seniors educated
April - First Workshop with Simultaneous Spanish Interpretation
2025
October - Over 2,500 seniors educated
May - Over 2,000 seniors educated in emergency preparedness
March
- EPH welcomes two new lead speakers: Mike Jacobs was part of the Red Cross response team during Hurricane Katrina, where he trained 700 volunteers to help Katrina evacuees. Rob Wagner has over 25 years in health and safety management, including on-site management during 911 and Hurricane Katrina. Having two new leaders means EPH can conduct more workshops and reach more seniors.
2024
October - Almost 1800 seniors educated since inception
August
- Over 1400 seniors educated
- 6 dedicated volunteers!
March
- Over 1000 seniors educated
- Guest on Boomers Today radio, marking our first podcast
February
- Grant awarded by County of Sonoma
- Grant awarded and received from Healthy Petaluma
January - In-kind grant from California Fire Foundation, 500 super-durable "dry bags"
2023
November
- 900 seniors educated
- EPH makes front page news in the Press Democrat! Read the full article here
August - 600 seniors educated since launch
2022
July
- Invited to present alongside Sonoma County Emergency Management
June
- 100 seniors educated 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)
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
- Formally registered with the CA Secretary of State
- Four successful pilot workshops presented 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
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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.