About Us
A unique community with an extraordinary desire to serve.
The Sandhills Guardian Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit made up of generous volunteers from around the Sandhills region of North Carolina. Based out of Whispering Pines, N.C. the foundation works to leverage the unique aspects of our community and works directly with the local Guardian Ad Litem program to identify specific needs of children in foster care.
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What is a Guardian Ad Litem?
The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program equips community volunteers to serve abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interests in court.
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Established by statute in 1983, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Office of Guardian ad Litem Services as a division of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. Pursuant to G.S. 7B-601, when a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a juvenile is filed in district court, the judge appoints a volunteer GAL advocate and an attorney advocate to provide team representation to the child. GAL child advocates are trained, supervised, and supported by Program Staff in each county of the state. A team of GAL attorney advocates, volunteers, and staff provide legal and best interests advocacy to North Carolina children who are alleged by a department of social services.
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Learn more about becoming a Guardian Ad Litem -here!
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Our Story
The Sandhills Guardian Foundation was founded by Moore County Guardian Ad Litem volunteers. In working with foster children and families it was apparent that our community did not have a direct way to provide additional resources beyond basic government care for those who have entered the foster care system. After many video calls and e-mails with similar organizations across the state of North Carolina, work with the regional and national Guardian ad Litem programs, as well as generous mentorship from local Moore County non-profits, the Sandhills Guardian Foundation was formed in 2025.
Meet The Team
Tanya Gaab is West Point graduate and retired Army officer with over 20 years of service. She and her family have lived in Moore County, N.C. for over 14 years. Between several combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Tanya had the opportunity to study at the National Defense University. As part of her Master's of Strategic Security Studies program she researched and wrote her thesis about the strategic effects of child maltreatment on American security and stability. During the course of her research she discovered the Guardian Ad Litem program where she later became a volunteer. Tanya is married and has two children who are 16 and 12 years old who are active members of their schools and local sports programs.
Our Community Partners
