Cafecito en el Jardín 2026, was developed as a direct outcome of my participation in the Reynolds Journalism Institute Community-Centered Symposium, where I focused on strategies to deepen audience engagement and expand reach for Conecta Arizona.

The event was designed as a community-centered gathering at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, bringing together members of our audience to create a space for connection, listening, and participation. The goal was not only to engage our existing audience, but also to better understand how they consume information, what they need from us, and how we can grow our impact.

We implemented a series of interactive and participatory activities. We also designed community-building activities such as a networking bingo to encourage interaction among attendees, and a storytelling segment where participants shared how they connected with Conecta Arizona. Additionally, we activated a WhatsApp group during the event to facilitate real-time engagement.

A central part of the project focused on media literacy. Through an interactive session on identifying misinformation, we worked with the audience to understand how false information spreads and how to critically evaluate content before sharing it. We provided practical tools, including a simple guide to help participants avoid misinformation in their daily digital interactions.

We also created an emotional reflection activity called “Sácalo del pecho,” where attendees anonymously shared their thoughts and feelings, reinforcing trust and community connection.

The event combined journalism, community engagement, and cultural expression, including music and a folkloric dance performance. It also served as an opportunity to clearly communicate Conecta Arizona’s mission as a nonprofit, community-driven media outlet rooted in service, dialogue, and accessible information.

This project introduced a more intentional approach to in-person audience engagement for our newsroom. While Conecta Arizona has always been close to its audience through WhatsApp and digital platforms, this was one of the first times we designed a live event specifically as a space for listening and audience research. Another new element was creating space for the audience to share their own stories. This helped reinforce that our journalism is a dialogue, not a one-way communication. Overall, the event represents a shift toward a more participatory and community-centered approach, where listening is a core part of how we produce journalism.

Overall, the feedback from participants confirmed that our audience values accessible, community-centered journalism, but also wants more opportunities to connect in person and see their local realities reflected in our coverage.

My advice to other newsrooms is to start simple but be intentional. Design activities that encourage participation, not just attendance. Ask clear, focused questions and create space for people to share their experiences. It’s also important to listen without trying to control the outcome. Some of the most valuable insights come from open-ended conversations.

Think of audience engagement as part of your journalism, not separate from it. Listening to your community should directly inform your reporting, your coverage priorities, and how you distribute your content.

Contributed by Paula Diaz-Soet

---

Cite this article

Diaz-Soet, Pau (2026, June 2). Conecta Arizona. Reynolds Journalism Institute. Retrieved from: https://rjionline.org/citizen-and-community-news/conecta-arizona/