Naloxone Saves Lives

Protect Solano County from Fentanyl Overdoses

Fentanyl overdoses are a growing crisis in Solano County. This potent synthetic opioid is being found in a wide range of drugs – from pills and cocaine to meth and even marijuana. Many people don’t realize they’re at risk, but just one dose of fentanyl can be fatal.

That’s where naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, comes in. Narcan is a safe, easy-to-use nasal spray that reverses the effects of an overdose within seconds. It’s simple enough for anyone to use and having it on hand could mean the difference between life and death.

Access to Narcan is critical for our community. Tragically, less than 30% of fatal overdoses in Solano County involved someone who had Narcan nearby. We can change that.

The good news? You can get Narcan for free through the Solano Recovery Project. Whether you use drugs or know someone who does, carrying Narcan can save lives and help protect our community.

Visit SolanoRecoveryProject.org today to learn more and get your free Narcan kit. Together, we can fight back against fentanyl and break the stigma surrounding overdose prevention.

Remember: Narcan saves lives – let’s make it accessible to everyone who needs it.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Community Cleanup, TOMORROW!

When: Saturday December 28th, 2024

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am

Where: Matt Garcia Foundation Office, 717 Texas Street, Fairfield, CA 94533

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 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

Happy Holidays

As we approach the end of another year, I find myself reflecting with immense gratitude on all we have accomplished together through The Matt Garcia Foundation. I can truly feel Matt’s spirit guiding us, inspiring every step of this journey.

We are blessed with the most incredible board members. Over the past 16-plus years, some board members have moved on, others have returned, and every single one of them has been a gift to our foundation and our community.

To our current and former board members, advisoryboard members, and our long-term volunteers, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your

unwavering dedication has made everything we do possible.

This year marked our 14th Annual Matt Garcia "Drive to Keep the Dream Alive" Golf Tournament, and I’m thrilled to share it was another resounding success! A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and donors—you are the true heroes of this event. Your contributions empower us to make a difference. Because of your generosity, we were able to award scholarships to 11 high school seniors, helping them pursue their dreams through community college, university,

or trade school. We’re so proud to see these young scholars grow, with many returning to The Matt Garcia Foundation as volunteers or even board members.

The essence of The Matt Garcia Foundation is about giving back to our community in every way possible. Whether through scholarships, sponsoring sports teams, supporting educational field trips, or hosting back-to-school giveaways, every dollar donated is poured back into making a tangible impact.

One of the things that brings me the greatest joy is watching our young people step into leadership roles through our events and programs. Matt always believed in giving young people opportunities, and because of your support, we can continue creating those opportunities—helping today’s youth grow into tomorrow’s leaders.

As we close out 2024, I want each and every one of you to know how deeply appreciated you are. Your support ensures that we can Keep Matt’s Dream Alive while inspiring others to chase their own dreams.

Here’s to another incredible year ahead. Together, we’re building a brighter future for our community, one step at a time.

With gratitude,

Teresa Courtemanche

President, The Matt Garcia Foundation

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

Website

Target Heroes and Helpers

It was a very cold and brisk morning; temperature at around 49 degrees! As we approached the front entry of the Target store, there was a line already formed along the side.

Waiting anxiously, but very cold and sleepy, were 20 lucky students from the Matt Garcia College & Career Academy. It was the annual “Target Heroes and Helpers” event. The Matt Garcia Foundation has been so lucky to be a partner with Fairfield’s Target Store for a few years now. 25 lucky students are selected, and each receive a gift card to begin some Christmas shopping.

The “Heroes and Helpers” are staffed by our amazing local Police and Fire departments! They volunteer their time to be paired up with a student and help them shop. We are so lucky to have these amazing local heroes and helpers in our community!

This activity is funded by a grant directly from the Target store, our local Fairfield store! There is a limited amount on the gift card that each student receives and sometimes the total can go a little over. Some of the overages have been covered by our foundation, but we wanted to share a couple of “shoutouts” to officers, Moran and Sandoval. These officers had generously contributed their own personal money to help pay for their assigned students’ overage. Not only did they take the time to attend the event AND spend the time with their assigned student, but also personally contributed to help pay for the overage. This is what a local hero does at times; they go above and beyond!

A side tidbit to share…

When Officer Moran and his partnered student were checking out, he recognized the Target cashier, Jolette. Officer Moran was a resource staff person onsite at Grange Middle school and Jolette had attended Grange. She remembered him as well and was so happy to see him at the event. Jolette shared, “He’s so nice and I can’t believe he remembered me!”.

We thank the amazing leadership and staff of the Fairfield Target Store! They are amazing and wonderful in the way they prepare the store for this event. Great team and staff this morning!

Thank you to the Fairfield Police and Fairfield Fire departments! You are definitely our local heroes!!

Third Thursday : Fun Thursdays at The Matt Garcia Foundation Office

Members of the Matt Garcia Foundation Board, along with four guests, showed up for the November monthly fun craft project. We had a relaxing and fun time making holiday lanterns. Everybody made their own lantern and took them home to display during the holidays. 

Every month on the Third Thursday, from 3:30-5:30 pm, we invite interested folks to join us for a fun group craft project. On December 19th, we will be making snow globes.

Join Us!

Direct: 707.372.4160

Email: info@ffinest.org

Website

Holiday Safety Tips

Fire safety: The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) says that half of home heating fires happen in December, January, and February. Candles are a common cause of home fires in December. Use candles safely.

Electrical safety: Electrical safety is important year-round, but it can be especially relevant in the winter when it's wetter. 

Christmas tree safety: Decorations and novelty items can have dangerous parts, so keep them away from children and place them high up. 

Carbon monoxide safety: Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly, and it's especially important to be aware of during the winter when people close their windows and turn up the heat. 

Decorating safety: Holiday decorations can cause injuries if proper safety measures aren't taken. 

Emergency prep: It's important to understand how to create an emergency action plan (EAP) in case of an emergency. 

Keep your pets safe: Holiday plants like poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, and real Christmas trees can be toxic to pets.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

1st Downtown Fairfield Art Walk

FAIRFIELD – Spend an evening viewing varying artworks for purchase at many restaurants, businesses and galleries at the 1st Art Walk in Downtown Fairfield.

Fairfield Arts | 710 Jackson St.
Gordon’s Music | 810 Texas St.
Headspace | 809 Texas St.
Cedars Corner Kitchen & Bar | 801 Texas St.
El Caracol Mexican Restaurant | 900 Texas St.
Matt Garcia Foundation | 717 Texas St.
Jane Loveall Studio | 813 Jackson St.

FSVAAA Art Walk
Friday, December 20, 2024
4pm – 7pm
Admission is FREE
Downtown Fairfield
For more information, call (707) 688-8889 or visit FVAA-ARTS.ORG

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

2nd Tuesday of Every Month

The Homicide Survivors Support Group offers a compassionate space for those affected by violent loss. Together, we share our grief, support one another, and honor our loved ones. Our mission is to foster healing, resilience, and hope in the face of

unimaginable loss.

717 N Texas Street

Fairfield, CA 94533

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Second Tuesday of every month

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

Conversation With Our Youth

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website

How stretching actually changes your muscles - Malachy McHugh

Dig into the science of stretching, and find out what it actually does to your muscles and how you can improve your flexibility.

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An athlete is preparing for a game. They’ve put on their gear and done their warmup, and now it’s time for one more routine — stretching. Typically, athletes stretch before physical activity to avoid injuries like strains and tears. But does stretching actually prevent these issues? And if so, how long do the benefits of stretching last? Malachy McHugh explores the finer points of flexibility.

Lesson by Malachy McHugh, directed by Sofia Pashaei.

Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website