Safety Tip

Remember to be careful with what you post on your social media. Especially if you are away from home and showing photos (common home burglaries happen when folks are away). Also, remember that employers regularly check your social media during background checks for jobs.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Kindness Rocks Project

Thank you to everyone who joined us at The Kindness Rocks Project Workshop in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May! 

We were able to promote positivity through creating rocks with uplifting, powerful messages that were placed around our community. As a group we started conversations about mental health, with hope that these will continue more and more with our friends, families, and community members.

This was not just an event, but part of a movement toward ending the stigma around mental health. Thank you to our attendees for being part of this, as well as to NAMI Solano County and Yellow Heart Committee for helping us strengthen the conversation.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

What would happen if you didn’t drink water? - Mia Nacamulli

Water is essentially everywhere in our world, and the average human is composed of between 55 and 60% water. So what role does water play in our bodies, and how much do we actually need to drink to stay healthy? Mia Nacamulli details the health benefits of hydration. 

Lesson by Mia Nacamulli, animation by Chris Bishop.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

TOMORROW : The Matt Garcia Foundation 'Community Service Day Cleanup'

Last Saturday of Every Month

Attention: We will be alternating our clean up location.

Please check our website for location or sign up for text alerts.

Text: 81010 Enter: @mgiv

When: Saturday, June 25, 2022

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am

Where: Allan Witt Park, 1741 W Texas St, Fairfield, CA 94533

To protect your health and slow the spread of the coronavirus, we will be follow the most recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control.

The Matt Garcia Foundation will provide gloves, garbage pickers and buckets for collecting the trash.

Students can earn community service hours. Lunch provided after the cleanup.

For more information visit our website.

To receive updated information on volunteering opportunities, sign up for our text alerts. 

Text: 81010 | Enter: @mgfv

Note: *July 30th Clean up will be at our new office, 717 Texas St, Fairfield, CA 94533*

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org

Assist-A-Grad Interviews

Every year, The Matt Garcia Foundation gives out “Keep the Dream Alive Scholarships” to deserving seniors in the Fairfield-Suisun and Travis School Districts through the Assist-A-Grad Foundation. This year, our board members had the pleasure of interviewing seven amazing young people from our local high schools, all of whom will be receiving our scholarship. It was an incredibly inspiring experience to hear about not only their hopes, dreams, and plans for the future, but also the struggles they have overcome in life. We also heard about their service to their communities, which was truly impressive.

Congratulations to the following awesome seniors:

Oswaldo Acevedo

Mark Ganitano

Mahida Naveed

Rachel Lee

Cynthia Mojica

Erin Park

Tyvin Tandy

Best of luck to you all!

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

What happens during a heart attack? - Krishna Sudhir

Approximately seven million people around the world die from heart attacks every year. And cardiovascular disease, which causes heart attacks and other problems like strokes, is the world’s leading killer. So what causes a heart attack? Krishna Sudhir examines the leading causes and treatments of this deadly disease.

Lesson by Krishna Sudhir, animation by Chadwick Whitehead.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Zachary Young

We are so excited to present this amazing art piece created by our very own board member. It is the perfect addition to our new office.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Podcast Room

We are very excited to have our Podcast room finished! This would not have been possible without the kind folks who stepped forward with generous donations of time and supplies. A huge shout out, and sincere thanks, to Fairfield Floors To Go for donating the carpet, Monte Hoover of Gillespie’s Abbey Carpet & Floor for donating the carpet padding, and Tung Chau for voluntarily installing the carpet and padding. Mike Garcia for painting the podcast room. Raymond Courtemanche for painting and installing soundproofing in the podcast room.

Stay tuned folks, our first official podcast event is coming soon!!

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

What would happen if you didn’t sleep? - Claudia Aguirre

In the United States, it’s estimated that 30 percent of adults and 66 percent of adolescents are regularly sleep-deprived. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience: staying awake can cause serious bodily harm. Claudia Aguirre shows what happens to your body and brain when you skip sleep. 

Lesson by Claudia Aguirre, animation by TED-Ed.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Dream Team Service Event for June 'Food Bank Food Sort'

What? We will be inspecting, sorting, and packing donated products and produce for distribution in low-income neighborhoods. 

When? Saturday, June 11th from 11:00am to 1:00pm

Where? 2370 N. Watney Way in Fairfield

Signup is required to volunteer at the event. For more information and to sign up with our group, please email briana@ffinest.org before June 10th.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Another Way to Help ...

Here are some items that The Matt Garcia Foundation is in need of:

1.Small fridge

2.Lockers

3.Pad and carpet for podcast room

4.Laptops for students

5.Popcorn machine

6.Snow cone machine

7.Cotton candy machine

8.Garbage pickers

9. Disposable Gloves

10.Sponsors for monthly clean-up lunch

11.Gift cards for student incentives 

12.Monetary donations always welcome️

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

How to stay calm under pressure - Noa Kageyama and Pen-Pen Chen

Your favorite athlete closes in for a win; the crowd holds its breath, and at the crucial moment ... she misses the shot. That competitor just experienced the phenomenon known as “choking,” where despite months, even years, of practice, a person fails right when it matters most. Why does this happen, and what can we do to avoid it? Noa Kageyama and Pen-Pen Chen explain why we choke under pressure.

Lesson by Noa Kageyama and Pen-Pen Chen, animation by Olesya Shchukina.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Last Saturday of Every Month

When: Saturday, May 28, 2022

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am

Where: Downtown Fairfield located 'on the green' at the corner of Jefferson & Texas Streets, Fairfield, CA 94533

To protect your health and slow the spread of the coronavirus, we will be follow the most recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control.

The Matt Garcia Foundation will provide gloves, garbage pickers and buckets for collecting the trash.

Students can earn community service hours. Lunch provided after the cleanup.

For more information visit our website.

To receive updated information on volunteering opportunities, sign up for our text alerts. 

Text: 81010 | Enter: @mgfv

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

This Month in History

African American Olympic athlete Archie Williams (1915-1993) was born in the month of May, in Oakland California. Williams, along with Jesse Owens, defeated German athletes at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and helped debunk Adolf Hitler's theory of Aryan racial superiority. Williams won a gold medal in the 400-meter race. After the Olympics, he went on to earn a mechanical engineering degree and became an airplane pilot.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
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Safety Tips for Kids | What are safety rules for kids? Video for Kids

Let's Learn about Safety tips for kids at home, schools and outside.

Kids will be able to understand all about Safety Rules, First Aid, Good Touch & Bad Touch with this video.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Kindness Rocks Project

Join us in taking part in this global trend and in supporting our community members during this National Mental Health Awareness Month.

Register by using the following link.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Earth Day Cleanup

The Matt Garcia Foundation would like to thank those who came out to our Earth Day Clean up at Allan Witt Park. Great job! We couldn’t have picked up and removed as much trash with out your help.

Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

• Use reusable shopping bags
• Pick up trash
• Use reusable water bottle
• Unplug items when they’re not in use
• Turn water off while brushing teeth

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Travel Hacks + A Sunny Goodbye | LIFE HACKS FOR KIDS

Say hello to expert life hacker, Gillian, on this VERY special episode of Life Hacks for Kids. As Sunny prepares for her next big hackventure Gillian is here to give you all the best travel tips and tricks. Make sure to keep watching Peacock Kids for hints as to Sunny's big news!

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Big Things Are Happening!

We are so excited to announce the Matt Garcia Foundation now has an office space to call their own at 717 Texas Street in Downtown Fairfield. The location is perfect because Matt spent much of his time downtown picking up trash and meeting with business owners as part of his vision for improving our City.

We want to thank the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy for allowing us to use their school in the past for our meetings.

We are now in the process of remodeling the office. The Foundation would like to thank Jonny Morales, Alex and Alec Romero for installing the flooring and painting. Thanks also to Raymond and Teresa Courtemanche for cleaning and decorating the interior/exterior along with Vince and Sheila Webster for finding office furniture at no cost. We also have a new 48 inch Samsung TV donated by Tony and Kenda Hejnicki.

The future holds endless possibilities for us!

To learn more about our vision and needs for this office space please contact Teresa at: Mattsmom@ffinest.org

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Benefits of Drinking Water

Drinking up to a recommend 8 glass of water daily can leave you with shinier hair, younger skin, a healthier body pure, clear water is the world’s best beauty elixir.

Water Can Help Control Calories.

Dieters have been drinking lots of water as a weight loss strategy. While water doesn’t have any magical effect on weight loss, substituting it for higher calorie beverages can certainly help.

Food that have a high water content tends to look larger, its higher volume requires more chewing, and it is absorbed more slowly by the body, which helps you feel full. Water-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, oatmeal, and beans.

Water Helps Energize Muscles.

Cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue.

It is important to drink water while you are doing exercise because when muscle cells don’t have adequate fluids, they don’t work as well and your performance will suffer.

Water Helps your Skin and Hair Looking Good.

Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss

Hairdressers have been saying a cool-water rinse leaves hair glossier. The chilly temp constricts the cuticle layer of your hair so it lies flatter; making strands smoother and more reflective.

Water is an essential part of life and health.

Ensure you have clean, nourishing drinking water for yourself and your family is crucial to your well-being. But for many people, access to adequate quantities of safe drinking water is hard to come by. If you can afford it, home treatment options can make a huge difference, compared to drinking bottled water, home water treatment can save large amounts of money, while preventing extensive plastic pollution.

Depending on the quality and safety of your water source, and your budget, there are many factors to consider when determining the best water treatment option for you. UV systems can remove bacterial contamination. Carbon water treatment systems can remove chlorine and other basic contaminants. RO systems can remove a much wider array of contaminants. And for those who can afford it, adding hydrogen to your water may yield potentially significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

What is Scholarship? - Quick and Easy Explanation

This video provides easy to understand overview of Scholarship in just three minutes.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Inspiration.

When we lose the right to be different, we lose the privilege to be free.

- Charles Evans Hughes –

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

- Jimmy Dean -

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

The Matt Garcia Foundation Community Service Day Cleanup

Last Saturday of Every Month

When: Saturday, April 30, 2022

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am

Where: Downtown Fairfield located 'on the green' at the corner of Jefferson & Texas Streets, Fairfield, CA 94533

To protect your health and slow the spread of the coronavirus, we will be follow the most recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control.

The Matt Garcia Foundation will provide gloves, garbage pickers and buckets for collecting the trash.

Students can earn community service hours. Lunch provided after the cleanup.

For more information visit www.FFINEST.org

To receive updated information on volunteering opportunities, sign up for our text alerts. Text: 81010 | Enter: @mgfv

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Fairfield Pal

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Inspiration.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. 
- Nelson Mandela -

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. 
- Malcolm X -

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Fairfield PAL Teen Center

The Fairfield PAL Teen Center will be reopening this summer and needs your advice! To prepare for the Grand Opening this summer they are doing a needs assessment for local teens and their families. Please take a few minutes to answer these questions and help them better serve Fairfield, Suisun, and Travis AFB teens and their families.

Scan the QR code or click, here.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Have a Hoppy Weekend

From us at The Matt Garcia Foundation, Happy Easter. Enjoy your weekend with your family.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Tri-City NAACP Offers Scholarships

FAIRFIELD — Applications are being accepted for Tri-City NAACP scholarships.

“The scholarship application requires a completed application, a current official transcript, two letters of recommendation and a 500-word essay. Applicants must have a 2.5 grade-point average and plan to attend a community college, university or vocational/technical school,” the organization said in a statement.

High school graduates are eligible.

The application period is April 14 to May 14.

Additional information about receiving a scholarship application can be obtained by sending an email to education@tri-citynaacp.org.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Our Next Level

We are about to take Matt’s Dream to the next level!

The Matt Garcia Foundation was donated office space from John and Sheila Costanzo, Stonefield Properties LLC. We will be using the office space for a podcast studio.

The Matt Garcia Foundation would like to thank Cliff Gordon, owner of Gordon’s Music and Sound in Downtown Fairfield, and Bill Way, City of Fairfield Public Information Officer, for taking time to meet with President Teresa Courtemanche, along with Vince and Sheila Webster in our new podcast room. Gordon and Bill were both kind enough to share some of their expertise on ways to make this a successful venture.  We are very grateful for the exciting times ahead!

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

7 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes and Other Insects

What plants keep insects at bay? In this video, we will show you 7 plants that repel insects and bugs.

Mosquitoes and flies are two insects that regularly fly around our house and annoy us, and as if that wasn’t already bad enough, they can also transmit diseases. Whenever we notice them around our house, our first reaction is usually to grab some repellent to keep them away.

But did you know that there are some plants that can also keep these insects far away from your home? And they can also keep other pests away such as aphids, cochineals and caterpillars. The best part is that they’re natural and smell much better than bug spray!

These plants repel insects due to the essential oils present in them, which happen to be what give them their pleasant odor. In other words, having rosemary or lavender planted in your garden will significantly reduce the appearance of these unwanted insects.

In today’s video we’re going to show you some of the best plants to keep insects and pests away from our homes and gardens.

Basil

Marigolds

Catnip

Rosemary

Chrysanthemum

Geranium

Citronella

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Inspiration.

We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us thru that darkness to a safe and sane future.
- John F. Kennedy -

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
- Eleanor Roosevelt -

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Keep Bugs Away

PLANT THESE: 

Basil: Mosquitoes and flies

Catnip: Mosquitoes

Lavender: Mosquitoes, flies, moths and fleas

Marigolds: Mosquitoes and aphids

Peppermint: Mosquitoes, ants and spiders

Rosemary: Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and slugs

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

Website

The benefits of a good night's sleep - Shai Marcu

It’s 4am, and the big test is in 8 hours. You’ve been studying for days, but you still don’t feel ready. Should you drink another cup of coffee and spend the next few hours cramming? Or should you go to sleep? Shai Marcu defends the latter option, showing how sleep restructures your brain in a way that’s crucial for how our memory works. 

Lesson by Shai Marcu, animation by Javier Saldeña.

P.O. Box 3301

Fairfield, CA 94533

DIRECT: 707.372.4160

EMAIL: info@ffinest.org

Website

The Matt Garcia Foundation Community Service Day Cleanup

When: TODAY!

See you from 9:00 - 11:00am

Where: Downtown Fairfield located 'on the green' at the corner of Jefferson & Texas Streets, Fairfield, CA 94533

To protect your health and slow the spread of the coronavirus, we will be follow the most recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control.

The Matt Garcia Foundation will provide gloves, garbage pickers and buckets for collecting the trash.

Students can earn community service hours. Lunch provided after the cleanup.

For more information visit our website.

To receive updated information on volunteering opportunities, sign up for our text alerts. 

Text: 81010 | Enter: @mgfv

This Month in History

Rosa Parks' contributions to the Civil Rights Movement are undeniable. But nine months before she refused to give up her seat on a bus for a white person in Montgomery, Alabama, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin did the same thing on the same bus system. But Colvin isn't widely recognized for her act. On March 2, 1955, the day she was arrested, she had been learning about Black history at her school.

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

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How does caffeine keep us awake? - Hanan Qasim

Over 100,000 metric tons of caffeine are consumed around the world every year. That’s equivalent to the weight of 14 Eiffel Towers! Caffeine helps us feel alert, focused, and energetic, even if we haven’t had enough sleep — but it can also raise our blood pressure and make us feel anxious. So how does it keep us awake? Hanan Qasim shares the science behind the world’s most widely used drug. 

Lesson by Hanan Qasim, directed by Adriatic Animation.

P.O. Box 3301

Fairfield, CA 94533

DIRECT: 707.372.4160

EMAIL: info@ffinest.org

Website

Inspiration.

We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us thru that darkness to a safe and sane future.

- John F. Kennedy -

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

Website

March - National Women’s History Month

Jessica Fleshman, Fairfield’s first female Battalion Chief!

Jessica Fleshman was recently promoted to the position of battalion chief. This is a GREAT moment in history because Jessica is not only the first female battalion chief in the history of the Fairfield Fire Department, but the entire County of Solano. Becoming a professional firefighter is a big accomplishment but, persevering through a career and receiving a promotion to the rank of battalion chief is even more challenging.

Jessica is also no stranger to the City of Fairfield. She was raised here, attending Fairview Elementary School, Sullivan Middle School and Fairfield High School (graduating class of 1994). After graduating from High School, she became a volunteer firefighter with Fairfield until 1997 when She enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an ordinance technician. She served four years in the Marines. Jessica was eventually hired full time with the Fairfield Fire Department as a firefighter-paramedic in 2005. While working for the Fairfield Fire Department she achieved numerous accomplishments. Just to name a few; she was a member of the department’s first-honor guard, manages the critical incident stress team and chaplain program, and serves as an instructor and mentor at the Fairfield Public Safety Academy and Solano College. She’s also the handler for the fire department service and therapy dog, a cute Labrador named “Gunner”. It’s also worth noting that Jessica was the first ever female fire captain for the Fairfield Fire Department prior to being promoted to battalion chief.

Her formal education includes an Associate Degree in fire technology and a bachelor’s degree in human resources. She received her paramedic training from the Northern California Training Institute in 2004. She is married with 5 children and lives in Vacaville. Her Husband, Chris is currently a fire captain with Fairfield Fire. While in High School and College, Jessica played on numerous organized sports teams, including softball, soccer, water polo and basketball. She was a proud member of the Solano College Falcons Women’s basketball team. Somehow Jessica also found time to enjoy her love of music as a member of the Fairfield High Scarlet Brigade Drum line. Her musical talents include playing the trombone, piano and bass guitar.

Jessica’s job as battalion chief currently includes managing the fire department training program, supervising fire captains and working as incident commander on large scale incidents. This is a proud moment for the City of Fairfield and the Matt Garcia Foundation in our efforts to Keep Matt’s Dream Alive by making Fairfield a better place for everyone, regardless of race and gender. Congratulations Jessica, we are extremely proud and thankful for your service to our wonderful City!

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

Website

5 EASY DIY EGG CARTON RECYCLE PROJECTS FOR KIDS

This is a video tutorial on how to make egg carton kids crafts. 

This DIY video shows how to make a Snowman, Bee, Caterpillar, Helicopter and a car out of egg cartons.

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

Website 

Inspiration.

"Failure is impossible."

- Susan B. Anthony

"Each person must live their life as a model for others."

- Rosa Parks

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

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Recycling Tips

Plastics – Recycle plastic containers # 1 through # 7.

Metal Cans – Recycle all food and beverage metal cans, steel, tin, bi-metal and aluminum.

Don’t recycle – throw away: any metal with food particles attached and metal caps from bottles.

Cardboard & Paper – Recycle envelopes, office paper, newspaper, magazines, junk mail, catalogs, paperback books, phone books, brochures, greeting cards and file folders.

Don’t recycle - throw away: used paper towels, used napkins, used pizza boxes and used paper plates

Glass – Recycle clear glass and colored.

Don’t recycle - throw away: plastic or metal caps, mirrors, windows, light bulbs, pyrex and ceramics.

Ensure items are empty, clean and dry.

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

Website

Drunk Driving as a Threat to Road Safety (Updated)

Why is Drunk Driving such a Threat to Road Safety?

Drunk Driving is one of the biggest threats to Road Safety in South Africa. Research indicates that 50% of people who die on the roads have a blood alcohol concentration above 0.05 gram per 100 millilitres.

P.O. Box 3301

Fairfield, CA 94533

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

Website

Inspiration.

“Open your eyes to the beauty around you, open your mind to the wonders of life, open your heart to those who love you, and always be true to yourself”

- Maya Angelou

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
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Stay safe, don't text and drive!

Every day about 8 people in the United States are killed in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.

In the U.S. in 2018, over 2,800 people were killed and an estimated 400,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. 

About 1 in 5 of the people who died in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2018 were not in vehicles―they were walking, riding their bikes, or otherwise outside a vehicle.

Read more, here.

Consider activating the "do not disturb" setting on your phone to automatically engage when you are driving. Your life, or the life of someone else is worth the wait.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

5 Minutes to Start Your Day Right! - MORNING MOTIVATION | Admiral McRave...

US Navy Admiral William H. McRaven delivers one of the Best Morning Motivational Speeches for Success you will ever hear. 

Speaker: Admiral William H. McRaven

“Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential. Without pushing your limits, without occasionally sliding down the rope headfirst, without daring greatly, you will never know what is truly possible in your life.” 

― William H. McRaven

P.O. Box 3301

Fairfield, CA 94533

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

Website

Inspiration.

“Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.” 

- Harvey MacKay 

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
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February Community Day Clean-up

February Community Clean-up Day

Students earn community service hours for school credit.

Lunch is provided after the clean up.

Saturday, February 26, 2022 @ 9:00am – 11:00am

Located 'on the green' at the corner of Jefferson

& Texas Streets, Fairfield, CA 94533

The Matt Garcia Foundation will provide gloves, grabbers and buckets for collecting the trash. 

For more information visit our website.

To protect your health and slow the spread of the coronavirus, we will be follow the most recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control.

To receive updated information on volunteering opportunities, sign up for our text alerts. 

Text: 81010 | Enter: @mgfv

Personal safety advice

Constable Steve Ho has some more helpful tips on how to keep yourself safe when you're out and about.

Stay safe and visit our website to Keep the Dream Alive with us.

Personal Safety Tips

Personal Safety—Be Prepared

By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the risk to yourself and also discourage those who commit crimes.

• Always be alert and aware of the people around you.
• Educate yourself concerning prevention tactics.
• Be aware of locations and situations which would make you appear vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots.
• Street Precautions
• Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you—especially if you are alone or it is dark.
• Whenever possible, travel with a friend.
• Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
• Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where someone could hide.
• Walk confidently at a steady pace.
• Make eye contact with people when walking.
• Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street—continue walking.
• If you carry a purse, carry it securely between your arm and your body. Although a purse-snatcher's intent is to steal the purse, your personal safety may depend on not clinging to it.
• Do not use or wear anything that will impede your vision or hearing (i.e. iPods).

Car Safety

• Always lock your car doors after entering or leaving your vehicle.
• Park in well-lighted areas.
• Have your car keys in your hand so you don't have to linger before entering your car.
• Check the interior of your vehicle for intruders before entering your car.
• If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place or a police or sheriff station.
• If your car breaks down, open the hood and attach a white cloth to the car antennae. If someone stops to help, stay in your locked car and ask them to call the police, sheriff or a tow truck service.
• Don't stop to aid motorists by the side of the road. Make a phone call requesting help for them.

While Waiting for a Bus

• Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you.
• Try to avoid isolated bus stops.
• Don't open your purse or wallet while boarding the bus—have your pass or money already in your hand.
• Keep jewelry out of sight; don't flash jewelry; turn rings around so the stones don't show.

On Board Buses

• During off hours, ride as near to the bus operator as possible
• If someone bothers you or makes you feel uncomfortable, change seats. Inform the driver of the situation.
• Carry your wallet inside your coat, or in a front pocket.
• Keep your belongings in front of you and hold close to your body with both hands.
• Be alert to pick-pocketers on crowded buses; check your purse or wallet if someone is jostling, crowding or pushing you.

Office Security

• Never leave your purse or wallet in plain view or in common accessible areas.
• Don't leave cash or valuables at the office.
• If you work alone or after business hours, keep the office door locked.
• If you work late, try to find another worker or a security guard to walk out with you.
• In an elevator, be mindful that there is a distress alarm on the control panel.
• Be alert for pick-pocketers on crowded elevators.
• Report all suspicious persons and activities to the proper authorities (office manager, building security, law enforcement).
• Be aware of escape routes for emergencies and post the police and fire department numbers near telephones.

Finally, if a crime does occur...REPORT IT! Everyone should consider it his or her responsibility to report crime. Many criminals develop favorite areas for committing crime, as well as predictable methods of operation. When you report all the facts about a crime, it helps the police assign officers in the places where crimes are occurring or where they are most likely to occur, and your report may help prevent a crime from reoccurring. In many cases, it is the information provided by victims and witnesses that leads to the arrest of a criminal. So tell the police as much as you can; no fact is too trivial. The police need the eyes and ears of all citizens.

**At least half of the crimes in the Unites States go unreported, either because people don't think the police can do anything about it, or because people don't want to get involved. If you don't report a crime, this allows the criminal to continue to operate without interference.**

Read more, here.

Support our community, visit us here to find out how.

The Matt Garcia Foundation Downtown Office

THANK YOU to John and Sheila Costanzo, Stonefield Properties LLC for donating an office space to The Matt Garcia Foundation.

Matt talked a lot about our beautiful city of Fairfield being such a great place to live. He emphasized the uniqueness of Fairfield's proximity being located halfway between San Francisco and halfway between Sacramento. 

Matt loved downtown Fairfield and always saw its potential.

Now, thank you to the Costanzo's, we have an office at  719 Texas Street, Ste. C in beautiful downtown Fairfield. We are looking forward to collaborating with Fairfield to help bring more amazing events to our community and our downtown.

Website

Project Based Learning: Why, How, and Examples

Project based learning, PBL, is explained in full detail with examples and instructions for implementation. Teachers, educators, administrators, students, and more will develop a better understand of project based learning. Some of the important reasons for using projects in your classroom such as allowing students to develop communication skills, utilize 21st century life skills, become engage with the content, and share their projects with others in a public matter. 

Visit the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy to learn more about this style of education and how it is implemented in their classrooms.

Want to get more involved with The Matt Garcia Foundation? Visit our website and learn how you can donate or even join us for our Community Clean Up!

More About MGCCA, What is Project-based Learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic classroom approach in which it is believed that students acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems. Students learn about a subject by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to a complex question, challenge, or problem. It is a style of active learning and inquiry-based learning. PBL contrasts with paper-based, rote memorization, or teacher-led instruction that presents established facts or portrays a smooth path to knowledge by instead posing questions, problems or scenarios. Read more about PBL.

Visit our website to see how you can get involved with The Matt Garcia Foundation.

Does PBL intrigue you? Check out the Matt Garcia Career & College Academy to learn more about their program and whether its right for you.

Matt Garcia Career & College Academy

Matt Garcia Career and College Academy is named after Matt Garcia; a well-respected Fairfield City Council member, who was tragically murdered in 2008. Matt was a product of the FSUSD schools. He was a visible presence, and powerful role model for many of Fairfield and Suisun’s school age students. The school opened on October 18, 2010 and draws students from throughout the Fairfield and Suisun areas. Matt Garcia Career & College Academy (MGCCA) is a small school of choice, with a family environment, focused on social service and college and community partnerships. This is a 6th through 8th grade program with an emphasis on Project-Based Learning and course offerings, such as AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). MGCCA focuses on preparing all students for both college and career. With a student body of approximately 200 diverse students, classes in all grades remain smaller than the district average in order to meet the needs of all students and to know every student by name and by need. The mission of MGCCA reads, "As a family of supportive staff, we provide rigorous curriculum, student-centered learning environments, and relevant project-driven curriculum". Additionally, MGCCA is home to the Matt Garcia Foundation, a local non-profit organization focused on providing opportunities for at-risk students and their families. 

Find more information regarding the school, here.

Get involved with us, The Matt Garcia Foundation, here.
Phone 707.372.4160
Email info@ffinest.org

See You Soon!

Don't forget, we hope to see you all soon for our Community Day Clean Up.

Earn community service hours for school credit.

Lunch is provided after the clean up.

TODAY, January 29, 2022 @ 9:00am – 11:00am

Located 'on the green' at the corner of Jefferson & Texas Streets

Fairfield, CA 94533

The Matt Garcia Foundation will provide gloves, grabbers and buckets for collecting the trash. For more information visit our website, here. 

To protect your health and slow the spread of the coronavirus, we will be follow the most recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control.

To receive updated information on volunteering opportunities, sign up for our text alerts. 
Text: 81010 | Enter: @mgfv

Volunteering, What is it?

Volunteering is a voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labour for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve on an as-needed basis, such as in response to a natural disaster. Nowadays, one common type of volunteer is volunteer tourism.

Read more about its history, here.

While we think about the meaning of volunteering, DON'T FORGET, we meet 

for our Community Clean Up Day

this Saturday, January 29, 2022 @ 9:00am – 11:00am 

Located 'on the green' at the corner of Jefferson & Texas Streets

Fairfield, CA 94533

The Life and Legacy of Matt Garcia: Fairfield City Councilman

This is our why. Watch this video to better understand The Life and Legacy of Matt Garcia and why we fight to keep The Dream Alive.

9 Tips to Survive a Fire In a Hopeless Situation

How to survive a house fire? Knowing what to do in this emergency situation will greatly increase your chances of surviving.

House fires can spread at a truly alarming speed. Most things around you can crumble to ashes in mere seconds. That's why you have to act as soon as you hear your fire alarm go off. Take your safety seriously! Make sure your house is equipped with functioning smoke alarms. Check them regularly, preferably once a month, and replace their batteries twice a year. 

Check our website to find ways to connect with our community.

How Can You Help?

There are multiple ways to support us here at the Matt Garcia Foundation one of which is to donate. We appreciate cash donations in any amount. You can use your PayPal or any credit card to make a one-time donation or a recurring donation throughout the year.

You can read more on our website.

We appreciate you all and the support shown to Keep the Dream Alive.

A Quick Fire Safety Tip

A common cause for house fires is accumulated lint in and around the dryer. Clean the vent screen on your dryer after each use. You should also clean out your dryer ductwork twice per year. 

Source: U.S. Fire Administration

The Matt Garcia Foundation Is Keeping His Dream Alive

Matt Garcia was a man with a vision. He was the youngest city councilman elected in the state of California in November 2007. Matt was a great young leader and an inspiration to all who knew him. Matt was only 22 years old… but, he lived more in those short years than many adults can even imagine. He led by inspiration, with integrity and ambition.

Matt’s dream involved supporting the youth and creating places for them to go and things for them to do; Changing a culture of violence and crime in the city through youth involvement. By uniting a community all people will have a sense of belonging and responsibility to the city of Fairfield. Matt’s life was cut short, but his legacy, work, and heart live on.

The Matt Garcia Foundation was established to carry out Matt’s dream. We are dedicated to the work and efforts that Matt started and hope that we can inspire others to be the change in this world we live in, just as Matt inspired us.

Matt’s vision has guided us,

but we need continued support from all of you

to make his dream a reality.

A commitment to changing a culture of violence and crime in Solano County.

Together we can continue Matt’s efforts and make his dream our reality.

The Matt Garcia Foundation “Dream Team" pledges to live Matt’s legacy.

See more at https://mattgarciafoundation.org/

You must be the change you wish to see: The Matt Garcia Foundation

See more about the Matt Garcia Story and the Matt Garcia Foundation at:

https://mattgarciafoundation.org/about