With its foundation rooted in the same ministry founded in 1958 by Rev. David Wilkerson in Brooklyn, NY, Adult & Teen Challenge of Sandhills was established in 1987 by Sal & Debby DiBianca who served this organization faithfully for over 34-years.
Located on 4 separate campuses in the beautiful state of North Carolina, and 1 campus in South Carolina, students begin their recovery journey in our “New Beginnings” Phase I program for up to 30 days. Afterward, they are enrolled into Phase II, an Induction Program which includes an on-campus intensive outpatient clinical counseling program (SAIOP) for a minimum of 12 weeks. Following the successful completion of Induction, students transfer to Phase III, located in either Kannapolis, Elizabethtown (North Carolina) or Georgetown, South Carolina. This final phase is where students begin to learn how to successfully transition out of the program, while working more intently on family relationships, work ethic, and continued Christian discipleship.
Since its original launch, Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge has enrolled thousands of men desperately needing hope and healing to overcome drug and alcohol addiction. Our program staff and leaders continue to conduct crisis intervention, referrals, and outreach within the cities of Raleigh, Charlotte, Fayetteville, and Myrtle Beach.
About Our Founders
Sal DiBianca has passionately served as the director of the Sandhills Teen Challenge ministry helping youth, adults and families since 1987. Pioneering the men’s residential recovery program, it has enrolled thousands of men desperately needing hope and healing to overcome drug and alcohol addiction. Sal is an accomplished music minister and loves surfing. He is a 1980 graduate of Teen Challenge in Southern California and TCMI ministry institute. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and has served on the North Carolina Assembly of God District Youth Ministries team and Missions Committee, Drug Free Moore County and community task force.
Sal and his wife Debby, also a 1981 TC graduate have been speaking to teens for over 30 years in assembly programs in public schools, WinterJam Concert tours, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, True Love Waits and youth camps across the US. He and Debby have been happily married for 41 years and have two children, Jamie and Brandon and 2 grandchildren, Allie and Jonah.
Now retired and residing in Hawaii with his family, Sal currently serves on the organization’s Board of Directors.
