Welcome Alex to the Matt Garcia Foundation Podcast team. We greatly appreciate you donating your time to help us with our podcast.

Alex is local filmmaker in the vacaville/fairfield area. He’s been making videos since about 6th grade and recently graduated from Solano College with associate degrees in film & television and liberal studies. Alex is an intern for the City of Fairfield as a media production assistant and does freelance work in the community whenever the opportunity comes up. On his free time, he plays guitar, run a dungeon and dragons' game with his friends, make his own video projects, and build personal computers on the side.

To hear our latest podcast episode please visit our website @ FFINEST.org

Message from the President

This September marks the 15-year anniversary of Matt being taken from us. Our hearts will forever be shattered but we have vowed to Keep Matt’s Dream Alive, always.

Please join us for our ribbon cutting and open house on Friday, September 15th at 717 Texas Street. 

Teresa Courtemanche, President 

The Matt Garcia Foundation

September 16, 2023

Join us for a remarkable event celebrating “15 Years of Keeping the Dream Alive!” We invite you to a day filled with joy, where friends, family, and the community come together to foster a better future.

With the tragic Loss of OUR Young Vibrant/Passionate Fairfield City Councilman Matt Garcia on September 1st 2008, NOW 15 YEARS LATER, WE ARE EVEN MORE PASSIONATE with the objective to raise AWARENESS that lives out his campaign promises…"Support Youth, Help Stop Crime & Strengthen our Communities" to Keep the Dream Alive for another 15 years.

Experience the thrill of our car show and contest, showcasing impressive vehicles that will surely enliven your senses. Enjoy the captivating melodies from talented local bands and artists, guaranteeing an unforgettable live music performance. Witness the awe-inspiring talent of special live dance performers, leaving you mesmerized by their artistry. As a token of our appreciation, we have prepared exciting gifts and raffle prizes for all attendees, ensuring that everyone can participate and possibly win. Get inspired by our extraordinary guest speakers, who will share their wisdom and insights, making this day truly memorable.

This event holds an added significance as it coincides with Mexico’s Independence Day from Spain in 1810, making it a day of double celebration and honor.

We would like to express our gratitude to the Downtown Business Dream Team for their generous sponsorship and unwavering support. Together, let’s make this day an extraordinary experience that will leave lasting memories. Don’t miss out on this incredible celebration! Mark your calendars and join us on September 16th for a day that promises to be unforgettable. 

Visit our www.ffinest.org for more details. Send email to 15years@ffinest.org or text/call 707 310-4152 Chairperson Bro Ray for any questions. 

Blessings,

Bro Raymond 

The Matt Garcia Foundation participated in the City of Fairfield National Night Out in Downtown Fairfield. It was nice seeing the families that came out to celebrate.

We are excited to host our 13th annual Matt Garcia Foundation charity golf tournament. This year’s golf tournament will be held at the Rancho Solano Golf Course in Fairfield. Proceeds from this fundraiser support our programs to help youth, stop crime and strengthen our community. Interested in playing you can register at mattgarciafoundation.org. 

We hope to see you on October 9th!

*Farmer's Market

Thursday, August, 3,10,17,24,31 @ 3-7pm

*Summer Concert Series

Friday August, 11th @ 6-9pm – "Project 4" 

~ Tomato & Vine Festival

Saturday, August,19 & 20 @ 11am-7pm

For more information, visit www.fairfield.ca.gov/events

*Event on County Lawn 

~ Event has street closures

Wild-land Fire season has arrived.

Prepare yourself and your family by following these steps:

Get Ready!

Being ready for wildfire starts with maintaining an adequate defensible space and by hardening your home by using fire resistant building materials and plants.

Get Set!

Create a plan with your family to evacuate your home should wildfire strike. Put together an emergency supply kit. Learn how to talk with young children about fire safety.

Get Ready To Go!

Give your household the best chance of surviving a wildfire by being ready to go and evacuating early. Being ready to go also means knowing when to evacuate and what to do if you become trapped.

For more information on creating an evacuation plan and emergency supply kit, fire safe building and planting info and other essential survival steps, visit the Cal Fire website.

August 17, 2023

National Nonprofit Day is commemorated on August 17 every year to recognize the efforts of nonprofit organizations to serve their local communities. This holiday was first created by Sherita J. Herring in 2017. As members of The Matt Garcia Foundation, this special holiday should remind us how important we all are to the City of Fairfield and County of Solano. Let’s keep Matt’s Dream Alive, by supporting youth, stopping crime and strengthening our communities.

To make a donation to our foundation, visit our website.

“Long days, warm summer breezes, bonfires on the beach, aroma of barbecue in the air. Trees laden with fruit, flowers swaying in the wind, birds chirping in the air, butterflies flitting about, outdoor concerts, and country fairs. Nights of star gazing, days of travel ventures. Oh, August, you bring us a month of magical moments. You draw us out into nature, reconnect us with friends and loved ones. 

Named in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, you brought us The Declaration of Independence in 1776, Alice in Wonderland in 1865, The Banana Split in 1904, The Ford Model T in 1908, Smoky the Bear in 1944, American Bandstand in 1957, Dr. King’s “I have a dream in 1963, Woodstock in 1969, Friendship Day on the first Sunday of every year, and our own annual Fairfield Tomato Festival. And so much more. 

The end of summer, and the beginning of fall, inviting us to the sun filled days, basking in the warmth, as we transition into the new school year, new chapters. As Victoria Erickson said it best “August is the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest across the span of the year. It yawns and lingers on with the light in its palms.”

Welcome dear August, I look forward to many adventures this year, and oh how I would hate to see you go.”

Usha Mantena

Matt Garcia Foundation Board Member