You know it's important to take care of your physical and mental health. But what about your social health? Social scientist Kasley Killam shows how feeling a sense of belonging and connection has concrete benefits to your overall health — and explains why it may be the missing key to living a longer and happier life.
Monday, December 29, 2025
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Community Clean Up : Saturday, December 27, 2025
When: Saturday, December 27, 2025
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
Saturday, December 20, 2025
The Psychology of Rumination: Why You Struggle to Feel Happy
Even when life seems fine on the outside, do you struggle to feel genuine happiness?
In this video, we explore the psychology of rumination — why some people can’t feel happy for a long time — and share practical strategies to regain mental clarity and emotional balance. Learn how to break the cycle of overthinking, focus on what you can control, and rediscover moments of joy in your everyday life.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Third Thursday Meet-up
We all had a fun time at the November third Thursday crafts event. A special shout-out to Linda Guisande for being such a great host. Linda and her husband, Vince, are both long time members of the Matt Garcia Foundation and owners of Tri-City Glass in Suisun, Ca. She taught us how to make holiday hoop centerpieces.
We each made a Christmas centerpiece to take home and display for the holidays. Linda’s enthusiasm was greatly appreciated, and we’re looking forward to having her back with us again soon.
Monday, December 15, 2025
Holiday Safety
End of year Holiday Season is upon us. As usual, the year went by pretty fast. Although, this month brings lots of fun stuff, it’s important to remember that December is also statistically a dangerous month. The Christmas family gathering, exchanging gifts, great food, etc can all be ruined by a serious accident or injury. Here are some leading causes of December tragedies and some important advice:
Fires: For starters, use care when cooking, ensure your smoke alarms (and carbon monoxide alarms) are working properly, practice safe practices when connecting holiday lights, and use heating appliances properly.
Falls: Getting on that step stool or ladder to decorate the tree and house isn’t worth it if you neglect to do it safely. All it takes is a fall from a ladder,etc and you may be eating your holiday dinner in the hospital emergency room.
Driving: Head to your destination early to allow for extra traffic. This should also reduce any temptation to drive erratically. Also, don’t drive distracted (texting, impaired, etc). By the way, December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Questions No One Knows the Answers to (Full Version)
In the first of a new TED-Ed series designed to catalyze curiosity, TED Curator Chris Anderson shares his boyhood obsession with quirky questions that seem to have no answers. (Introducing the series "Questions no one knows the answers to")
Monday, December 8, 2025
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.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile | Tal Ben-Shahar | Big Think
Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile, with Tal Ben-Shahar
Saturday, November 29, 2025
OUR Community
Please join these efforts in your City, and/or make a donation to The Matt Garcia Foundation, a completely volunteer 501C community non-profit with no paid staff. Donations are tax deductible.
- Consider Pledging $1-$100 per mile…Optimally we have a 100 mile sponsored in each City
- Be your City Run Sponsor $1310.00 (*representing the 1/2 marathon in dollars)
- Any one-time year-end dollar amount is Greatly appreciated.
Our overall $$$ financial goal is to have enough resources to provide 1 Year ‘2021’ of person-centered mentorship to get youth off our streets that encompasses compassionate coordinated care.
The plan is to start in each city at either your police station or the city’s social service location.
Watch for your city’s details on our Facebook event.
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Sunday, November 23, 2025
The Best Way to Deep Fry a Thanksgiving Turkey - We Tried them ALL! | SA...
We deep fried 3 turkeys 3 ways to bring you THIS recipe for the best thanksgiving dinner EVER!
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Our Vision & Values
OUR VISION:
“Every day we learn something new. Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day…It doesn’t have to be an “A” the next day, but let’s hope it improves.” – Matt Garcia
OUR VALUES:
Unity
Forgiveness
Compassion
Leadership
Respect for Diversity
Empowerment
Celebration of Hope
Transformation
Monday, November 17, 2025
About Us...
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 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.
Friday, November 14, 2025
How stress affects your brain - Madhumita Murgia
Stress isn’t always a bad thing; it can be handy for a burst of extra energy and focus, like when you’re playing a competitive sport or have to speak in public. But when it’s continuous, it actually begins to change your brain. Madhumita Murgia shows how chronic stress can affect brain size, its structure, and how it functions, right down to the level of your genes.
Lesson by Madhumita Murgia, animation by Andrew Zimbelman.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
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.
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Halloween Spooktacular in Downtown Fairfield
The Matt Garcia Foundation Office had a very “spooktacular” time passing out candy during the 2025 Halloween downtown Fairfield give-a-way. The downtown was turned into a fancy Halloween wonderland with most of the businesses handing out candy for “trick or treaters”. It‘s always a fun time seeing the kids (and many of the business owners) dressed up as various characters. Teresa Courtemanche, President of the Matt Garcia Foundation, was dressed up as a modern and beautiful witch. Looking forward to next year!
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Sunday, November 2, 2025
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Monday, October 27, 2025
Why Mindfulness Is a Superpower: An Animation
Practicing mindfulness is one of the single most powerful things you can do for your wellbeing.
Friday, October 24, 2025
SEE YOU TOMORROW! Community Clean Up!
When: Saturday, October 25th, 2025
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
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
October is National Fire Prevention Month
Here are a few safety reminders to practice (for more tips, check out nfpa.org):
- Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms monthly, install them on every level of your home, and replace the batteries annually.
- Create and practice a home fire escape plan.
- Practice safe cooking. Do not leave cooking food unattended.
- Use space heaters and candles with caution. Consider using a battery-operated candle, if possible, use safe and proper candle holders, do not use lit candles in sleeping areas, and do not leave them unattended.
- Make sure you use proper extension cords and do not use extension cords if damaged.
- Keep working fire extinguishers on every floor of your home and in the garage and/or workshop.
- When celebrating Halloween, use glow sticks or battery powered lights instead. Keep decorations away from open flames and other heat sources.
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Saturday, October 18, 2025
The science of laughter - Sasha Winkler
Explore the common scientific theories about why humans laugh, and how this universal behavior evolved.
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Isn’t it odd that, when something’s funny, you might show your teeth, change your breathing, become weak and achy in some places, and maybe even cry? In other words, why do we do this bizarre thing that is laughter? Since there’s no archaeological record of laughter, it’s impossible to say exactly how and why it evolved, but scientists have some theories. Sasha Winkler digs into the reflex.
Lesson by Sasha Winkler, directed by Hanna Rybak.
Animal vocalization sounds are courtesy of Dr. Jaak Panksepp, Schwing, R., Nelson, X. J., Wein, A., & Parsons, S. (2017). Positive emotional contagion in a New Zealand parrot. Current Biology, 27(6), R213-R214.
Support Our Non-Profit Mission
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Sunday, October 12, 2025
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.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Monday, October 6, 2025
Drive to Keep the Dream Alive
This year is our 15th annual Matt Garcia Foundation charity golf tournament. The board has decided to extend the discount registration of $200 per golfer until the day of the tournament, which will take place on Monday, October 13th at beautiful Rancho Solano golf course in Fairfield. Please come out and join us. For 15 consecutive years the proceeds from this golf tournament have been crucial in helping us to live out the legacy of the late Fairfield City Councilman Matt Garcia. Matt's vision has guided us, but we need continued support from all of you to make his dream a reality. We are committed to changing the culture of violence and crime in Fairfield and Solano County by empowering our youth to be the best they can be. If you golf, we would love to have you join us on the links. If you do not golf, join us for the dinner, silent auction, and raffle. Either way, you can help make a difference by joining us!
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website
Friday, October 3, 2025
15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
We are thrilled about this year’s 15th Annual Matt Garcia Foundation Drive to Keep the Dream Alive Charity Golf Tournament. It will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Rancho Solano Golf Club.
Official Registration Link
As always, your support helps us continue Matt’s dream of empowering youth, reducing crime, and strengthening our community. We would love to have you join us for this special milestone year!
With gratitude,
Teresa Courtemanche
President | The Matt Garcia Foundation
Download Flyer
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Friday, September 26, 2025
Importance of Limiting Screen Time
There are several reasons to limit the time you are in front of a screen (especially computers, cell phones, etc). In today’s world, people are spending over seven hours a day on average looking at screens, whether watching T.V., working on computers, scrolling through social media, gaming or streaming content.
Here are some suggestions for adding healthy guidelines into your screen time:
Set screen-free times:
Designate specific times for no screens, such as during meals and for an hour before bedtime to improve sleep quality.
Create screen-free zones:
Make certain areas of your home, like the dinner table or bedrooms, free from devices to encourage connection and focus.
Turn off notifications:
Limit interruptions from messages and social media by turning off non-essential notifications.
Prioritize Offline Activities
Encourage alternative activities:
Offer and participate in activities that don't involve screens, such as reading books, playing sports, walking, pursuing healthy hobbies..
Schedule family time:
Plan family activities and make a conscious effort to engage with each other without devices getting in the way.
Stay active:
Incorporate physical activity into your day to prevent a sedentary lifestyle often associated with excessive screen time.
Use the 20-20-20 rule:
Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
For more helpful tips on this topic
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
COMING UP : Community Clean Up, September 27th
When: Saturday, September 27th, 2025
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
Saturday, September 20, 2025
The Strange Science of Why We Dream
It would be a lot easier to study the science of dreaming if we weren’t asleep every time we did it. Why do we dream? What does dreaming do for our brains? How did dreaming evolve? Here’s a look at the current theories from psychology and neuroscience.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
FSVAA's Artwalk in Fairfield
FSVAA's Artwalk in Fairfield
Every Third Friday - June 20th
5:00pm – 8:00pm
Admission is FREE
Fairfield Arts
710 Jackson St., Fairfield
Sunday, September 14, 2025
15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
We are thrilled about this year’s 15th Annual Matt Garcia Foundation Drive to Keep the Dream Alive Charity Golf Tournament. It will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Rancho Solano Golf Club.
Official Registration Link
As always, your support helps us continue Matt’s dream of empowering youth, reducing crime, and strengthening our community. We would love to have you join us for this special milestone year!
With gratitude,
Teresa Courtemanche
President | The Matt Garcia Foundation
Download Flyer
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Can saunas make you live longer? - Max G. Levy
Explore how saunas can affect your body, and dig into the health benefits and limitations of this millennia-old tradition.
Monday, September 8, 2025
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.
Friday, September 5, 2025
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
What staying up all night does to your brain - Anna Rothschild
Explore how pulling an all-nighter can impact your cognitive function, and find out what happens to your brain when you don't sleep.
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Emotion, Stress, and Health: Crash Course Psychology #26
So, it turns out we have an easy time reading emotions in facial expressions, but emotions can straight up kill us! In this episode of Crash Course Psychology, Hank discusses stress, emotions, and their overall impact on our health.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Community Clean Up, August 30
When: Saturday, August 30, 2025
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
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Sympathetic Nervous System: Crash Course Anatomy & Physiology #14
Hank tries not to stress you out too much as he delves into the functions and terminology of your sympathetic nervous system.
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Monday, August 18, 2025
What causes insomnia? - Dan Kwartler
What keeps you up at night? Pondering deep questions? Excitement about a big trip? Stress about unfinished work? What if the very thing keeping you awake was stress about losing sleep? This seemingly unsolvable loop is at the heart of insomnia, the world’s most common sleep disorder. So what is insomnia? And is there any way to break the cycle? Dan Kwartler details the science of insomnia.
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website
Friday, August 15, 2025
FSVAA's Artwalk in Fairfield
Every Third Friday
5:00pm – 8:00pm
Admission is FREE
Fairfield Arts
710 Jackson St., Fairfield
For more information: Call (707) 688-8889 or Visit FVAA-ARTS.ORG
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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.
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Sunday, August 3, 2025
15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
We are thrilled about this year’s 15th Annual Matt Garcia Foundation Drive to Keep the Dream Alive Charity Golf Tournament. It will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Rancho Solano Golf Club.
Official Registration Link
As always, your support helps us continue Matt’s dream of empowering youth, reducing crime, and strengthening our community. We would love to have you join us for this special milestone year!
With gratitude,
Teresa Courtemanche
President | The Matt Garcia Foundation
Download Flyer
Direct: 707.372.4160
Email: info@ffinest.org
Website
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Monday, July 28, 2025
Friday, July 25, 2025
Community Clean Up, TOMORROW!
When: Saturday, July 26, 2025
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
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Friday, July 18, 2025
FSVAA's Artwalk in Fairfield
Every Third Friday
4:00pm – 7:00pm
Admission is FREE
Fairfield Arts
710 Jackson St., Fairfield
For more information: Call (707) 688-8889 or Visit FVAA-ARTS.ORG
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Supporting Our Youth
We had such a great evening, supporting James at his senior year theater showcase “Friday Night Live”at Archie Williams high school! Not only did we get to enjoy the hilarious skits put on by this incredibly talented group, but we also got to spend time with a few of our amazing Matt Garcia Foundation volunteers and our dear friends, Vince and Sheila.
Before the show, we shared a great meal at Toast in Novato, The perfect way to kick off a memorable night in San Anselmo.
So glad we could be there to laugh, connect, and support!
Teresa Courtemanche
President
The Matt Garcia Foundation
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Monday, July 7, 2025
The Homicide Survivor Support Group Second 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
The Homicide Survivor Support Group
Second Tuesday of Every Month
Friday, July 4, 2025
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
How to keep your house cool in the summer without AC
Beat the heat with tips on how to keep your house cool without air conditioning.
Saturday, June 28, 2025
THIS MORNING : Community Clean Up
When: Saturday, June 28, 2025
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
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Sunday, June 22, 2025
The quiet power of introverts | BBC Ideas
Are you an introvert? If so, that's great! Animator Sofja Umarik (who is an introvert) looks at how it can be a real strength.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Friday, June 13, 2025
Do You Really Need 8 Hours of Sleep Every Night? | Body Stuff with Dr. J...
When you can't sleep, you're desperate for help. And there's a booming industry waiting to tell you all the ways a lack of sleep can ruin your health -- and to sell you fancy gadgets to help you finally doze off. Shedding light on this flawed doomsday messaging, Dr. Jen Gunter explains why you shouldn't lose sleep over sleep -- and what to do instead. (For more on how your body works, tune in to her podcast, Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter, from the TED Audio Collective.)
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
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
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Wildfire/Fire Safety
There's still time to make a plan!
Join us for Fairfield's Wildfire & Fire Safety Preparedness Event on Wednesday, June 18, 6-9 PM at Willow Hall, 1000 Kentucky Street.
Get expert tips from Fire Marshal Steven Conti and Fire Chief John Sturdee on protecting your home and preparing for emergencies.
Free to attend | All ages welcome
(707) 428-7550|0
fairfield.ca.gov/fire
717 N Texas Street
Fairfield, CA 94533
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Second Tuesday of every month
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
How friendship affects your brain - Shannon Odell
Dig into what happens to your brain during adolescence that changes how you value, understand, and connect to friends.
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If it seems like friendships formed in adolescence are particularly special, that's because they are. Childhood, adolescent, and adult friendships all manifest differently in part because the brain works in different ways at those stages of life. During adolescence, there are changes in the way you value, understand, and connect to friends. Shannon Odell explores the neuroscience of friendship.
Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Biljana Labović.
Sunday, June 1, 2025
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