Monday, February 27, 2017

How to Get Better at the Things You Care About | Eduardo Briceño


Working hard but not improving? You're not alone. Eduardo Briceño reveals a simple way to think about getting better at the things you do, whether that's work, parenting or creative hobbies. And he shares some useful techniques so you can keep learning and always feel like you're moving forward.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Join Us For Our Monthly Community Clean Up Tomorrow!

 
When: Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 9am 

Where: Starbucks Downtown Fairfield 700 Jefferson St Corner of Jefferson & Texas (map)

Description: We meet every last Saturday of each month (weather permitting). We clean up different locations and neighborhoods. Please join us. All are welcome

At the Matt Garcia Foundation we don’t want to complain about this, we want to create solutions to problems. It is with this spirit that we began our Monthly Community Clean Ups.

On the last Saturday of every month, volunteers get together and clean up a neighborhood in Fairfield. We pick up trash, work on landscaping paint windows, fix fences – all in an effort to improve our community. This is another example of community coming together to help make a difference.

The Matt Garcia Foundation Dream Team, is all about stepping up and stepping out of ourselves to serve others and our communities to be a part of the solution. Matt would say ” if you see a piece of garbage on the ground, please just pick it up” How simple is that! So, that is what we do.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Everyday Leadership - Drew Dudley



We have all changed someone's life -- usually without even realizing it. In this funny talk, Drew Dudley calls on all of us to celebrate leadership as the everyday act of improving each other's lives. (Filmed at TEDxToronto.)

Saturday, February 18, 2017

National Crime Victims' Rights Week is Coming Up - Local Ceremony On April 4


"NCVRW will be commemorated April 2–8, 2017, and this year’s theme— 
Strength. Resilience. Justice. 
—reflects this vision of the future. One in which all victims are strengthened by the response they receive, organizations are resilient in response to challenges, and communities are able to seek collective justice and healing."

Since loosing our son, we have supported this week of recognition at various capacities. This year we are taking a STAND with our Local Community partners to recognize our Strength, Resilience, and Justice at an increased capacity.

Teresa, President of the Matt Garcia Foundation has local Artist Mr. Chad Glashoff committed to create a Community Art Sculpture in Honor of ALL those that have been effected by Violence. The unveiling of this Community Art Sculpture will take place during a Community ceremony with the District Attorneys office, Police Chiefs of Solano County, and others that serve Victims of Violence. 

Ceremony Location: The Matt Garcia Career and College Academy, 1100 Civic Center Drive, Fairfield, CA 94533

Local Ceremony Date: April 4, 2017

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Ismael Nazario: What I Learned as a Kid in Jail



As a teenager, Ismael Nazario was sent to New York’s Rikers Island jail, where he spent 300 days in solitary confinement — all before he was ever convicted of a crime. Now as a prison reform advocate he works to change the culture of American jails and prisons, where young people are frequently subjected to violence beyond imagination. Nazario tells his chilling story and suggests ways to help, rather than harm, teens in jail.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Stephen Post: Learn to Forgive Because Bitterness is Bad For Your Health



Professor Stephen Post is well known for his writings on the health benefits of helping others. In this video, he walks us through the many reasons why practicing forgiveness can be both therapeutic and rejuvenating. After all, studies show that people who show a proclivity to hostile emotions tend to die earlier due to heart failure. That's why the James Lang Theory of Emotions posits the emotional and physiological benefits of small acts of kindness.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

What Is the True Definition of Hope? Better Yet, What Is Hope?


In life, there are many intangible and indescribable things. However, despite the fact that they are not things that we can hold in the palm of our hands they are cornerstones of our existence.

In fact, for many people it is these things that get them through the trials and tribulations that life can bring. Love, faith, and hope are things that we rely on and look for in life, but sometimes truly understanding them is a challenge. In fact, hope is one of those intangible things that we hold closest to our hearts, but the question is why?

Better yet, what is hope? One definition of hope is "cherishing a desire with anticipation," but what does that really mean? When you hope for something you dream about it. You dream about what it would mean to you, and that makes you want it. With each thought, that desire increases exponentially, and it grows until you start to feel excitement and anticipation about the possibilities that the future could bring to you.

So, why do we hope? Hoping allows us to increase our belief that we live in a world where good things happen. The world is filled with many sad stories that could break your heart and leave you wondering what the point of it all is. That kind of thinking can allow you to spiral into a deep depression.

However, with hope you have a chance to look at the world through a positive perspective. In fact, many people believe that we are able to create self-fulfilling prophesies. With hope we are paving the way toward something positive and good for ourselves. You set yourself up for greatness.

You may be one of those people who need to see a vision of something positive to help you achieve it. If you hold hope close in your heart, you can almost envision yourself achieving the thing that you are hoping for. It gives you the strength and focus to start working towards your goal.

Another definition of hope is something that can help you unite with others. For example, if you and your spouse or significant other are hoping to buy your first home this is something that can bring you together. While you may only start by hoping you can take that hope and transform it into a plan of action which will make your dreams a reality.

Hope is not always present. It can fade away. You can lose it all together, but the good news is that you can always find hope again. In fact, you can find hope in many different places. Sometimes hope can be reignited by simply hearing a child laugh or in the gentle embrace of friends.

Maintaining your hope takes effort on your part sometimes, but it is worth it. When you put in the work to keep hope strong it will keep you in a mind frame that allows your dreams to become a reality.

You never know, sometimes your hope can be so strong that it will inspire those around you. After all, isn't that the world that we all hope to live in?


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Herb_Ammons

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6031273

Monday, February 6, 2017

If a Story Moves You, Act On It | Sisonke Msimang


Stories are necessary, but they're not as magical as they seem, says writer Sisonke Msimang. In this funny and thoughtful talk, Msimang questions our emphasis on storytelling and spotlights the decline of facts. During a critical time when listening has been confused for action, Msimang asks us to switch off our phones, step away from our screens and step out into the real world to create a plan for justice.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Support The Matt Garcia Foundation Through AmazonSmile!

Click the logo above to start shopping!

You can help support The Matt Garcia Foundation by shopping through AmazonSmile.

  • Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to The Matt Garcia Foundation whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
  • AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same Amazon Prime benefits.
  • Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com.