Education Week: Eating as a coping mechanism can start very young in children. New research from Princeton University shows that girls exposed to a number of stressors in early childhood are significantly more likely to use eating as a form of emotional relief and to be obese by age five. The stressors the research accounted for included difficult living situations, such as having a parent in jail or, ironically, not having enough to eat. Communities In Schools helps children relieve their stress in healthy, positive ways through mentoring, counseling services, peer support groups, and after-school activities.

New York Times: Last Wednesday was the New York City premiere of First Generation, a documentary about four teenagers forging their way to become the first members of their families to attend college. Narrated by actor Blair Underwood, the film shows the students grappling with the college application and financial aid process, and pushing themselves emotionally and academically with the hope of receiving scholarships. The tribulations the students in First Generation face are not unique; millions of young people across America, including many receiving Communities In Schools services, are the first in their families to tangle with the college application process. The filmmakers and students have all been invited to screen the film on Capitol Hill on April 24 before members of Congress, as well as representatives from the White House and the Department of Education.

Philanthropy 2173: In the wake of public pressure on the Komen Foundation to resume funding to Planned Parenthood, nonprofit organizations have officially stepped into a new era of public accountability and transparency. Through social media, people can now express their opinion of a nonprofit’s decisions in a matter of seconds with just the click of a button. Organizations have the right to make decisions that not everyone will approve of; but what’s the best way to make tough choices without public backlash? According to “philanthropy wonk” Lucy Bernholz, open discussion with stakeholders and positive engagement with critics and supporters alike is the key to making sure your nonprofit doesn’t become a negative meme like the Komen Foundation did.