Who We Are

TIP of WNC consists of paid staff plus a large team of volunteers. We are a non-profit so we seek to run as fiscally efficient as possible which allows us to engage our volunteers while keeping the number of paid staff low. Paid staff is tasked with keeping the core of our operation running smoothly. When there are special events or other cases where more help is needed our volunteers are happy to help as their time and schedules allow. These team efforts really help build a sense of community among our volunteers on the TIP of WNC team.

Phil Lindquist Joined TIP of WNC as its Director in early December of 2021 and oversees the day-to-day operations of the chapter. Phil enjoys working with members of the community and first responders who make up the amazing team of TIP volunteers.

Phil recently moved to Asheville in early 2021 to be closer to family and friends who live in South Carolina, Virginia and New York. Phil has extensive training in Crisis management and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention as well as working with at-risk youth and families. Phil holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Arizona State.

Phil understands the importance of being there for survivors and victims in the minutes and hours after a traumatic event has occurred and the immediate difference it makes to be there for members of the community in their time of need. Phil also recognizes the impact it can have on first responders, knowing that a team is there to support the emotional needs of the victim’s family and friends while they go to work doing what they do best.

Phil Lindquist
Director

Our History

Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. was founded in 1985 by Wayne Fortin who was associated with San Diego Mental Health. Fortin saw the need for such a program due to the numerous patients treated by his facility, though the patients had not been a primary victim. Fortin recruited citizen volunteers and trained them to meet the emotional and practical needs of those who were experiencing stress symptoms from a traumatic event. TIP's slogan, "Citizens helping citizens in crisis" aptly captures the spirit of the program as trained volunteers respond to emergency situations 7 days per week, 24 hours per day, and arrive at the scene of an incident within 20 minutes. In 1991, TIP was the recipient of a $100,000 Harvard University and Ford Foundation grant for earning an "Innovation in State and Local Government Award". These funds were used to introduce the TIP program to other cities and jurisdictions. There are now 13 TIP affiliates serving 100 cities throughout the United States.

TIP Funding

Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. is a non profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

TIP Services are provided to survivors and their families free of charge and are made possible through grants from local governments, individuals, corporate donors, our partner agencies, and through our own fund raising efforts. TIP's partner agencies contribute an annual assessment fee based on population for 24 hour crisis intervention services for city residents.