2020-2022
Encuentros Online: Connecting Beyond Borders During the Pandemic
When the world faced the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, DCYIA recognized that for the Deaf community—which already often faces barriers to communication and social exclusion—the need for connection was more vital than ever. In 2020, we transitioned our traditional in-person gatherings into a vibrant series of Encuentros Online (Online Encuentros) and webinars.
The Encuentros Online served as a digital sanctuary where young Deaf leaders could continue to develop their skills, share their faith, and support one another.
These virtual sessions were more than just video calls; they were a lifeline that allowed our community to:
Bridge the Distance: Participants from North, Central, and South America joined together in a single “virtual room,” proving that our bond transcends physical borders.
Foster Interactive Learning: Through sign language-accessible webinars (2021-2022), we provided tools for personal growth, spiritual reflection, and leadership based on Gospel values.
Shared Prayer: We continued our tradition of prayer in Sign Language, ensuring that the spiritual life of our youth remained central even during the lockdown.
In the words of our 2020 retrospective: “We thank the Lord for a year filled with opportunities to learn and new perspectives.”
While the pandemic was a time of trial, it also taught us that: Love is Service: We found new ways to serve each other through the screen.
Community is Resilient: The sense of “Pentecost and Discipleship” is not tied to a building but to the people.
Innovation: These online encounters laid the groundwork for a more “Hybrid” future, allowing us to reach Deaf youth in remote areas who may not have been able to travel to previous in-person events.
The lessons learned during our Encuentros Online helped prepare us for our triumphant return to in-person gatherings. We carry the “seeds of growth” planted during the pandemic into everything we do today.
“Obstacles are simply challenges that can be overcome. Together, we continue to transform the world into a place where Deaf young people can fully participate in life.”
