The AHA Foundation deploys the Digital Child Safe Ecosystem across Western North Carolina — combining technology, education, and wilderness healing to safeguard children and support survivors in our mountain communities.
"Where the mountains meet the mission — protecting every child in the High Country."
North Carolina ranks 9th in the nation for human trafficking cases. The High Country is not exempt. Children face threats both online and in their communities — and survivors deserve healing that goes beyond a waiting room.
The AHA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of The Proudfoot Group, a veteran-owned, woman-owned small business with deep expertise in AI governance and child safety technology. We bring that expertise home — to Boone, to Watauga County, to the mountains.
See how we work →Deploying the Digital Child Safe Ecosystem — RoseShield™, ChildSafe.dev, Sentinel Guard™, and Adams Watch™ — to protect children online and combat human trafficking through technology and education.
Evidence-based outdoor healing experiences for trafficking survivors, at-risk youth, and vulnerable families — designed for delivery through the Appalachian landscape, in partnership with a university partner currently being sought.
Digital literacy programs for parents, youth, and educators — building community-wide awareness of online dangers, trafficking red flags, and how to keep children safe in a connected world.
"People just really can't believe that this type of thing would happen in the High Country — meanwhile, North Carolina is No. 9 in the U.S. for trafficking cases."— High Country Advocate, Watauga County
A layered, interlocking architecture of technology, education, and community healing — adapted for the High Country.
Privacy-first child detection technology that activates protections instantly — with no data leaving the device.
Community-based human trafficking detection and reporting, developed by Native Brigade.
Nature-based therapeutic experiences for survivors and at-risk youth, designed for university co-delivery.
The AHA Foundation is actively seeking a founding academic university partner in the High Country — to engage across six disciplines in practicum placements, applied research, and curriculum co-design.
View Partnership Details →Primary practicum site for community programs, wilderness therapy, and youth advocacy.
Future-Proofing Academy co-delivery; AI ethics and child safety technology research.
Anti-trafficking programming, Sentinel Guard™ deployment, policy research.
Whether you volunteer, donate, partner, or simply spread the word — there is a place for you in this work.
Every gift helps build the Digital Child Safe Ecosystem in the High Country — funding digital literacy programs, wilderness therapy for survivors, and community child safety resources for families across Western NC.