Welcoming 2025 While Appreciating the Change in 2024

Sometimes change happens quickly, we can see it and if we are lucky, we appreciate it in the moment. Sometimes it happens so fast its gone in the blink of an eye leaving us in awe that it happened in the first place. And still sometimes change is slow to transform. We look back months, or even years later, and realize just how much has changed, both inside and out, during that time.

Reflecting on these changes is important. It allows us to grow and recognize how God’s plans are intertwined with our own. The same holds true for our organization. Our staff and volunteer staff network are spread across the country, but each spring, we come together in Omaha – home to the DCH headquarters – for our annual Kaizen retreat. “Kaizen” is a Japanese word. It is commonly used in business and means “improvement.” It’s a business philosophy that involves everyone in an organization working together to make continuous small, incremental improvements over time. 

While we plan for our 2025 Kaizen retreat this spring, we are also reflecting on all of the wonderful things that happened in 2024. Please join us in being thankful and giving praise for these blessings and the growth as a result.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Deaf Child Sponsorship Growth: We had a 21% growth in Deaf child sponsorships in 2024. As well as a 62% growth in teacher sponsorships!

• New Staff & Volunteers: In 2024 we welcomed new staff members or team volunteers. Lisa Ruzicka, who is the DCH Development Director. She relocated for the job and now lives in Papillion, NE and works at the home office. Amber McGuire lives in Texas and is the new volunteer Assistant Field Director. Also Teah Rurup and Emma Horlick have been volunteer interpreting for our DCH staff meetings.
• VBS/Camp Outreach Program: In 2024 we also kicked off our first summer with a VBS/Camp Outreach program, making it easier for domestic churches and ministries to choose Deaf Child Hope as their mission focus for the week. This initiative helps young people learn about Deaf children in poverty and how they can make a difference. (check out the ‘Get Involved’ page on our website for more info!)
• Ambassador Network: Also last year we launched our Ambassador Network. The Ambassador Network is a network of volunteers from all over the country dedicated to one goal: getting more Deaf children in poverty sponsored! We completed the Ambassador Network Handbook and training series and started the recruitment efforts. If you think you’d be interested in the Ambassador Network visit our website here for more info. Ambassador Network Page. 
• New Partner Organizations: We have partnered with two new partners in 2024. One in the Democratic Republic of Congo (our first partner in the DR of Congo) and another in Uganda (our second partner in Uganda). In addition we identified many more potential partners that we will continue to follow up on over the coming months.
• Mission Trips: DCH Missions led two mission trips to three countries in 2024. Jamaica, Kenya and Uganda and in addition a trip from our Field Director to Mexico.

We are so grateful for these incredible moments of growth and transformation. As we look ahead to 2025, we pray for continued blessings and new opportunities to serve Deaf children in poverty around the world.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us!