Tag: 3BL

Kim Allman, Head of Corporate Responsibility & Public Policy | Impact Blog

At Gen, AI is central to our mission to build a safer digital world. It helps to deliver smarter, faster protection for millions of people worldwide. We’re also using our AI expertise to help people understand, navigate, and benefit from the power of AI, specifically young people in communities around the world.

From classrooms to community events, Gen is helping to shape a more informed and empowered future, powered by AI.

Driving Conversations on AI and Digital Citizenship

This fall, Gen co-sponsored Shaping the Future: AI Education and Workforce Development, an event in Washington, D.C., exploring how educators and companies can prepare students for an AI-driven world. Along with Discovery Education and IBM, I shared how Gen integrates AI responsibly across our products and operations and how we’re investing in education to help families, teachers, and young people use AI safely and confidently.

I also joined Discovery Education’s Empowering Digital Citizens: A Classroom Initiative for Responsible Online Engagement webinar, which is part of its Digital Citizenship Initiative. This event for teachers highlighted how AI intersects with online safety, media literacy and digital responsibility.

Iskandar Sanchez-Rola, one of Gen’s AI experts, connected directly with educators in another Discovery Education session, answering their questions about how AI works and what it means for their future. Representatives also joined the webinar from the organization #HalfTheStory, the leading youth nonprofit advancing digital wellness through play-based, youth-led, evidence-informed programs. Harveer Saini, who works on the group’s Digital Civics Academy, shared accounts from teenagers about the various ways AI and other technologies are shaping their daily lives, elevating the voices of those young people who often encounter the immediate effects of the technology revolution.

The virtual event, part of Discovery Education’s first-ever Futures Fair, reached more than 600 students across 20 classrooms, and the Futures Fair garnered a total audience of more than 13,000 students through both virtual and in-person events.

Expanding AI Education Through Global Partnerships

Together with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), we’ve brought digital safety education to young people in more than 100 countries. Our flagship Surf Smart 2.0 program is a badge-earning course that helps empower girls and young women with digital safety skills. This program was recently updated to include content on understanding AI and using it responsibly.

Participants now explore where AI shows up in their online lives—from lifestyle recommendations to chatbots and voice assistants. They discuss how AI shapes what they see, how to think critically about information on their screens and how to spot misinformation. The curriculum also looks at appearance pressure and digital wellbeing, encouraging participants to reflect on how edited images and algorithms make them feel, how to set boundaries with their devices and how to protect their wellbeing while staying connected.

Our partnership with Discovery Education also continues to grow with new AI-focused content launching soon as part of the My Digital Life series. This digital literacy program, created in collaboration with Norton and the National Afterschool Association, gives students practical insights about online safety and media literacy.

The new animated series introduces Artie Fischal, a fictional character who helps students explore how AI can generate text, images and audio. Through stories and classroom-ready resources, students see both the creative potential of AI and the need to pause, ask questions and check sources before they act.

Leading Responsibly in the AI Age

For Gen, AI isn’t just a tool— it’s a responsibility. We design, test, and deploy AI to help protect people from fraud, scams and other online threats. And through AI education, partnerships and community engagement, we share our insights to help young people, families and communities better understand AI and use it responsibly. 

 

For more information on how we reach individuals, families and our communities with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, visit our 2025 Social Impact Report.

Originally published by IEEE Spectrum
By Dina Genkina

In their lab in Newark, Del., the Chemours team has placed several high-power servers in tanks filled with a proprietary, specially formulated fluid. The fluid is dielectric, so as not to cause shorts, and it’s also noncorrosive and designed to boil at the precise temperature at which the chips are to be held. The fluid boils directly on top of the hot chips. Then the vapor condenses on a cooled surface, either at the top or the back panel of the tank.

That condenser is cooled with circulating facility water. “All we need is water sent directly to the tank that’s about 6 degrees lower than our boiling point, so about 43 °C,” Marshall says. “The fluid condenses [back to a liquid] right inside of the tank. The temperature required to condense our fluid can eliminate the need for chillers and other complex mechanical infrastructure in most cases.”

According to a recent case study by Chemours researchers, two-phase immersion cooling is more cost effective than single-phase immersion or single-phase direct-to-chip in most climates. For example, in Ashburn, Va., the 10-year total cost of ownership was estimated at US $436 million for a single-phase direct-to-chip setup, $491 million for a single-phase immersion setup, and $433 million for a two-phase immersion-cooling setup, mostly due to lower power requirements and a simplified mechanical system.

Continue reading here.

In this story, you will find:

• Making an Impact Together: Henkel employees unite across North America to make a difference in their communities and create meaningful change.
• Hear from Our Volunteers: Mariana Salva and Lisa Henry share what it means to them to give back through Henkel.
• See Video Snapshot: of our employees’ volunteer actions during Henkel’s annual Community Impact Day.

Making an Impact Together

At Henkel North America, our purpose unites us: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. This commitment extends beyond our products and innovations; it’s reflected in the everyday actions of our team members who give back to their communities with heart, teamwork and compassion.

On this year’s Annual Community Impact Day, employees came together to create lasting change—supporting over 50 nonprofit organizations and contributing 30,000+ volunteer hours to pack thousands of care kits, diapers and boxes of groceries for people in need, as well as spread mulch, gravel, and topsoil to help maintain public parks, and much more.

Whether we’re getting our hands dirty, coordinating resources or otherwise collaborating to improve the lives of others, Henkel employees are united by a shared passion to make a difference. That spirit extends well beyond one day, as teams and individuals continue volunteering year-round to support causes close to their hearts and contribute to a better world.

To further these efforts, Henkel’s Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT) initiative provides financial and in-kind donations to nonprofits chosen by our employees and retirees, along with paid time off for those who volunteer. For more than 25 years, MIT has supported the causes closest to our people’s hearts.

This International Volunteer Day, Henkel celebrates our employees’ volunteerism and recognizes the powerful impact they make in communities across North America.

Hear From Our Volunteers:

Volunteering together isn’t just about giving back—it’s about building stronger connections, creating shared purpose, and making a real difference in our community as a team. But we don’t just strengthen our community—we strengthen each other.

Mariana Sava, Plant Administrator

Community Impact Day provides a meaningful opportunity to give back to our local community and to connect with team members we might not normally work with. Dedicating a day to volunteer our time at an organization that matters to us personally also allows us to make a difference beyond our everyday roles and create lasting impact.

Lisa Henry, Consumer Category Development Manager
 

by Lindsay Wright, Director, Affiliate and Partner Communications

This year’s Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) collected data from suppliers in the 12 months leading up to April 2025, the latter part of which coincided with the introduction of the U.S. trade tariffs.

The findings reveal notable variations in how suppliers are experiencing purchasing practices across the value chain, portraying uneven progress on responsible purchasing on the part of global brands and retailers.

Regional Findings, At a Glance

Suppliers in North America are struggling to get paid for orders, which is negatively affecting their cash flow and sustainability. But on the plus side, they are reporting better, more accurate and timely forecasts from their suppliers.

In the APAC region, suppliers reported fewer issues with payment and terms but reported weaker design and development practices on the part of their buyer customers. This is in part because of too few samples being converted into orders – wasting valuable time and resources.

These mixed experiences suggest that progress on responsible purchasing is uneven. They are likely due to a combination of factors – they may be as much about the types of product buyers are sourcing and the partnership models they adopt with their suppliers as they are to geography and geopolitical unrest. But they underscore the need for companies to take a more consistent, systems-based approach to improving purchasing practices and embedding fair and predictable working relationships throughout their supply chains.

Understand Supplier Regions, Balance Your Supply Chain

Companies benefit hugely from understanding how suppliers’ experiences of their purchasing practices are shaped by local contexts and business environments, and can learn from higher-performing regions. Thus, they can act accordingly, directing support to those facing persistent challenges for a more balanced and sustainable global supply chain. Those that actively subscribe with Better Buying receive confidential scores and reports, with detailed, granular data specific to their own business, and recommendations as to how they can make improvements, working with their suppliers to co-create solutions to shared business challenges.

Back in 2021, Better Buying collected data from suppliers during the Covid-19 pandemic, and expected to see big falls in the scores awarded to buyers. We were surprised to see that companies that had subscribed with the surveys year over year had still managed to make some improvements, even during this difficult time. The BBPPI data shows that the same is largely true during the era of tariffs. While both the overall and category scores have fallen slightly, those companies that have subscribed with Better Buying year over year have continued to make improvements. Three companies in particular have made big improvements, including one that increased its overall score by 10 points between 2023 and 2025.

Understand Issues Affecting Your Supplier Regions: Act Accordingly

Companies that are serious about human rights due diligence have a platform that enables their suppliers to share their experiences anonymously, giving buyer companies access to deep, granular insights that they can use, in partnership with their suppliers, to build region-specific, targeted strategies for future-proofing their supply chains.

To find out about how to subscribe for the 2026 BBPI, contact Leonie Abraham, vice president of business development, Cascale Better Buying. For a deeper dive on this data, join us for the “Better Buying 2025 Insights: Navigating global volatility and defining the next steps for better purchasing practices” webinar on December 9 with Innovation Forum.

Key Takeaways

• 01

  Lift Zones, Comcast’s nationwide initiative to ensure more Americans have access to the internet and digital tools needed to thrive, is backed by a $50 million commitment.

• 02

  Powered by Comcast Business, Flagship Lift Zones are an extension of the award-winning Lift Zones initiative, which launched in 2020 and now includes more than 1,250 locations nationwide.

PHILADELPHIA, December 5, 2025 /3BL/ – Comcast announced it is launching five new Flagship Lift Zones this fall in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, St. Paul and Federal Way, WA, bringing free WiFi, advanced technology, workforce training and digital skills programming to even more neighborhoods across America. Lift Zones, Comcast’s nationwide initiative to ensure more people in more communities have access to the internet and digital tools needed to thrive, is backed by a $50 million cash and in-kind investment. These commitments build on successful Flagship Lift Zones launched in Atlanta, Houston, and Oakland in 2024, and pave the way for opening five additional flagships by the end of 2026, including locations in Pennsylvania and Florida.

“We’re not just building networks – we’re building pathways to opportunity. Our $50 million Lift Zones commitment enables more people to access the internet and the tools they need to succeed – whether that’s applying for a job, attending a virtual class, or launching a business – we’re creating a future where everyone can participate in today’s digital economy.”

Dalila Wilson-Scott

Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer,
Comcast Corporation and President
Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Flagship Lift Zones are an extension of the award-winning Lift Zones initiative, which launched in 2020 and now includes more than 1,250 locations nationwide. Each Flagship site is developed in partnership with a trusted local organization and includes:

• Technology upgrades and digital skills training
• Dedicated grant funding for local programming
• On-site Digital Navigators to assist with internet access, devices, and digital literacy

In addition, Flagship Lift Zone sites receive Xfinity’s free high-speed 6GHz WiFi. Xfinity delivers fast, reliable WiFi experience with multi-gig speeds, low-lag connection for gaming and streaming, the capacity to connect hundreds of devices, and unbeatable wall-to-wall WiFi coverage.

Flagship Locations Opening This Fall

• Chicago, IL – The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood features a recently opened, state-of-the-art 76,000-square-foot hub for workforce training and economic empowerment.
• D.C. – At Building Bridges Across the River at TheARC, this location will expand workforce development programs, and builds on Comcast’s $1 million commitment to serve as the connectivity partner for the 11th Street Bridge Park, a joint initiative with the District Department of Transportation.
• Philadelphia – Located at Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (OIC), this Lift Zone will support job training in industries like healthcare, hospitality, and digital media.
• St. Paul – At Hmong American Partnership, the Lift Zone will enhance job skills training and employment services in high-demand sectors like healthcare and IT.
• Federal Way (Seattle area) – Partnering with El Centro De La Raza, Comcast’s investment will support bilingual education, small business support, and digital skills training.

Lift Zones are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative to connect people to the internet, provide digital opportunity and build a future of Unlimited Possibilities. This commitment is helping to expand internet access, deliver digital skills training, and drive economic mobility. Through thousands of community partnerships and programs across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky, we are working to ensure everyone can benefit from being connected to the internet. This includes programs such as Comcast RISE.

Key Takeaways

• 01

  Lift Zones, Comcast’s nationwide initiative to ensure more Americans have access to the internet and digital tools needed to thrive, is backed by a $50 million commitment.

• 02

  Powered by Comcast Business, Flagship Lift Zones are an extension of the award-winning Lift Zones initiative, which launched in 2020 and now includes more than 1,250 locations nationwide.

PHILADELPHIA, December 5, 2025 /3BL/ – Comcast announced it is launching five new Flagship Lift Zones this fall in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, St. Paul and Federal Way, WA, bringing free WiFi, advanced technology, workforce training and digital skills programming to even more neighborhoods across America. Lift Zones, Comcast’s nationwide initiative to ensure more people in more communities have access to the internet and digital tools needed to thrive, is backed by a $50 million cash and in-kind investment. These commitments build on successful Flagship Lift Zones launched in Atlanta, Houston, and Oakland in 2024, and pave the way for opening five additional flagships by the end of 2026, including locations in Pennsylvania and Florida.

“We’re not just building networks – we’re building pathways to opportunity. Our $50 million Lift Zones commitment enables more people to access the internet and the tools they need to succeed – whether that’s applying for a job, attending a virtual class, or launching a business – we’re creating a future where everyone can participate in today’s digital economy.”

Dalila Wilson-Scott

Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer,
Comcast Corporation and President
Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Flagship Lift Zones are an extension of the award-winning Lift Zones initiative, which launched in 2020 and now includes more than 1,250 locations nationwide. Each Flagship site is developed in partnership with a trusted local organization and includes:

• Technology upgrades and digital skills training
• Dedicated grant funding for local programming
• On-site Digital Navigators to assist with internet access, devices, and digital literacy

In addition, Flagship Lift Zone sites receive Xfinity’s free high-speed 6GHz WiFi. Xfinity delivers fast, reliable WiFi experience with multi-gig speeds, low-lag connection for gaming and streaming, the capacity to connect hundreds of devices, and unbeatable wall-to-wall WiFi coverage.

Flagship Locations Opening This Fall

• Chicago, IL – The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood features a recently opened, state-of-the-art 76,000-square-foot hub for workforce training and economic empowerment.
• D.C. – At Building Bridges Across the River at TheARC, this location will expand workforce development programs, and builds on Comcast’s $1 million commitment to serve as the connectivity partner for the 11th Street Bridge Park, a joint initiative with the District Department of Transportation.
• Philadelphia – Located at Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (OIC), this Lift Zone will support job training in industries like healthcare, hospitality, and digital media.
• St. Paul – At Hmong American Partnership, the Lift Zone will enhance job skills training and employment services in high-demand sectors like healthcare and IT.
• Federal Way (Seattle area) – Partnering with El Centro De La Raza, Comcast’s investment will support bilingual education, small business support, and digital skills training.

Lift Zones are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative to connect people to the internet, provide digital opportunity and build a future of Unlimited Possibilities. This commitment is helping to expand internet access, deliver digital skills training, and drive economic mobility. Through thousands of community partnerships and programs across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky, we are working to ensure everyone can benefit from being connected to the internet. This includes programs such as Comcast RISE.

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Allison Stowell

Do you remember when familiarity with the four food groups was all you really needed to know to eat healthfully? I do. Admittedly, I was a kid at the time, and not at all concerned about nutrition. But still, there’s no denying that the topic of healthy eating has shifted significantly over the last few decades. We used to discuss relatively simple things like the importance of balance and variety in food choices. Now it’s not uncommon to be entangled in (or at least overhear) detailed debates about things like macro ratios, glucose monitors, and seed oils.

Information and opinions on nutrition are everywhere. But unless you’re a nutrition professional like me, I see little reason to be consumed by every research finding or the “latest” diet. Here’s how to decide which information to pay attention to and what to let pass you by.

How Did Nutrition Get So Complicated?

Unfortunately, even the answer to this isn’t simple. In much of the world, the focus of nutrition advice has transitioned over time—from getting enough food and nutrients to dealing with the consequences of abundance. Nutrient deficiencies are still present of course, as is food scarcity. But today’s hot topics often revolve around the health impacts of a diet heavy on calories, fat, sodium and sugar. Another contributing factor is the evolution of nutritional and health science, including the ability to study more complex health and behavioral issues related to diet. Many of us have also lost touch with how food gets from fields and farms to our plates. Even the process of obtaining or selecting our food doesn’t require personal effort anymore. We can simply order food and groceries online or through apps and wait for delivery.

And let’s not forget the increasing speed of communication. Information—accurate or not—spreads across the world in mere minutes thanks to technology, the internet, and the power of social media. Taken together, we are bombarded with more information, more messages, and a wider variety of opinions than ever before. So no wonder it feels next to impossible to sort through it all! But take heart, because you can simplify the role of nutrition in your life. It really is possible to eat well without too much stress, time, or mental energy.

Keep Your Diet Simple: Focus on the Basics

The foundational components of a healthful diet have not changed much over time. You know the drill: Eat a balanced diet in portions that suit your body and activity level. (For more on what balanced meals look like, check out this post.) To do that, get plenty of produce of all types, protein in appropriate amounts, whole grains, and adequate water. Be sure to sprinkle in some nuts and seeds and some healthy fats too. And that’s it. Of course, you can dig deeper and add specifics on exactly which foods you may want to emphasize or minimize. But you’ll do yourself a world of nutritional good by just sticking with these basics and ignoring the messy minutia.

Be Selective About Your Sources of Nutrition Information

Nutrition and health information is popular, which is why media coverage of these topics is so prevalent. But that doesn’t mean that all sources of this information deserve equal attention—or any attention at all. Identifying reputable sources can be tricky, so here are a few suggestions to make finding trustworthy information easier:

• Your trusted healthcare providers can be a primary information source for your health and nutrition questions. Jot down your questions as they come to you. If they can wait until your next scheduled appointment, take that list with you so you remember what to ask.
• Look for information from sites that are not also trying to sell you things. You’ll often see obvious ads for food products or questionable supplements with “proprietary” formulas. Diet plans that make big promises are also common, as is equipment (like juicers or glucose monitors). When any of these are alongside the info you’re looking for, don’t waste your time.
• Check the writer’s professional credentials. Whether on social media or an online site, reputable nutrition sources typically have a link to a short bio and perhaps other articles or posts. Click it to check out their nutrition/health credentials. You’re looking for things like MD, PhD, RD, CNS, NDTR, and the like. If you don’t recognize the credentials, do a quick google search to see if they’re legitimate. Any credentials that seem shady mean you should cross that source off your list.
• I have other tips for checking scientific references and putting information through a quick “sniff test” to check its validity. Check out this post I wrote previously and take a look at my mini-guide for making sense of nutrition reporting.

Curate Your Social Media Feed to Protect Your Mental Energy

Back in 2023, about 60% of the world’s population was using social media. No doubt that percentage has grown since then. It’s not surprising that recent research from around the world indicates that social media is tied to body image concerns, disordered eating, and negative mental health impacts. Idealized body images (whether real or AI-enhanced) and “What I eat in a day” videos flood our feeds. And they can trigger comparisons that leave most of us feeling “less than” about ourselves. Nourishing your health through food naturally requires a tailored approach, since we are all unique. Just because a particular food product or diet “works” for one influencer doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for anybody else. (And don’t forget that many influencers are paid to promote products and may not even use them in real life.)

To help protect your mental peace, pay attention to how you feel when viewing or listening to social content. If a particular account’s messaging or images routinely make you feel bad about your body or the way you eat, unfollow that account. Instead, seek out accounts that support your nutrition mindset. Ones that put forth realistic images, and acknowledge that real-life eating needs to be flexible and tailored. Your self-esteem, body image, and mental energy are too precious to abandon them to social media algorithms. Remember, the unfollow button is always just a tap away.

Find What Works for You and Stick With It

Be wary of chasing the next new diet plan, “superfood,” or TikTok-famous cooking hack. They can be the slippery slope to erratic eating habits or budget-busting grocery bills, to name a couple potential consequences. And to what nutritional end? The life of a fad is short. Our bodies do best when we support them with consistent, moderate, balanced food intake. A couple weeks of one diet followed by a few weeks of another just makes life complicated, and provides little (if any) benefit for your body. If you really want to help yourself, find your happy point on the lifestyle pendulum. The one where you are feeling good, and eating a nutritious diet most of the time. (Guiding Stars can help with that, by the way). Chances are you’ll have more success maintaining a healthy weight, with enough flexibility to enjoy some treats once in a while.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

Image by Freepik

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Allison Stowell

Do you remember when familiarity with the four food groups was all you really needed to know to eat healthfully? I do. Admittedly, I was a kid at the time, and not at all concerned about nutrition. But still, there’s no denying that the topic of healthy eating has shifted significantly over the last few decades. We used to discuss relatively simple things like the importance of balance and variety in food choices. Now it’s not uncommon to be entangled in (or at least overhear) detailed debates about things like macro ratios, glucose monitors, and seed oils.

Information and opinions on nutrition are everywhere. But unless you’re a nutrition professional like me, I see little reason to be consumed by every research finding or the “latest” diet. Here’s how to decide which information to pay attention to and what to let pass you by.

How Did Nutrition Get So Complicated?

Unfortunately, even the answer to this isn’t simple. In much of the world, the focus of nutrition advice has transitioned over time—from getting enough food and nutrients to dealing with the consequences of abundance. Nutrient deficiencies are still present of course, as is food scarcity. But today’s hot topics often revolve around the health impacts of a diet heavy on calories, fat, sodium and sugar. Another contributing factor is the evolution of nutritional and health science, including the ability to study more complex health and behavioral issues related to diet. Many of us have also lost touch with how food gets from fields and farms to our plates. Even the process of obtaining or selecting our food doesn’t require personal effort anymore. We can simply order food and groceries online or through apps and wait for delivery.

And let’s not forget the increasing speed of communication. Information—accurate or not—spreads across the world in mere minutes thanks to technology, the internet, and the power of social media. Taken together, we are bombarded with more information, more messages, and a wider variety of opinions than ever before. So no wonder it feels next to impossible to sort through it all! But take heart, because you can simplify the role of nutrition in your life. It really is possible to eat well without too much stress, time, or mental energy.

Keep Your Diet Simple: Focus on the Basics

The foundational components of a healthful diet have not changed much over time. You know the drill: Eat a balanced diet in portions that suit your body and activity level. (For more on what balanced meals look like, check out this post.) To do that, get plenty of produce of all types, protein in appropriate amounts, whole grains, and adequate water. Be sure to sprinkle in some nuts and seeds and some healthy fats too. And that’s it. Of course, you can dig deeper and add specifics on exactly which foods you may want to emphasize or minimize. But you’ll do yourself a world of nutritional good by just sticking with these basics and ignoring the messy minutia.

Be Selective About Your Sources of Nutrition Information

Nutrition and health information is popular, which is why media coverage of these topics is so prevalent. But that doesn’t mean that all sources of this information deserve equal attention—or any attention at all. Identifying reputable sources can be tricky, so here are a few suggestions to make finding trustworthy information easier:

• Your trusted healthcare providers can be a primary information source for your health and nutrition questions. Jot down your questions as they come to you. If they can wait until your next scheduled appointment, take that list with you so you remember what to ask.
• Look for information from sites that are not also trying to sell you things. You’ll often see obvious ads for food products or questionable supplements with “proprietary” formulas. Diet plans that make big promises are also common, as is equipment (like juicers or glucose monitors). When any of these are alongside the info you’re looking for, don’t waste your time.
• Check the writer’s professional credentials. Whether on social media or an online site, reputable nutrition sources typically have a link to a short bio and perhaps other articles or posts. Click it to check out their nutrition/health credentials. You’re looking for things like MD, PhD, RD, CNS, NDTR, and the like. If you don’t recognize the credentials, do a quick google search to see if they’re legitimate. Any credentials that seem shady mean you should cross that source off your list.
• I have other tips for checking scientific references and putting information through a quick “sniff test” to check its validity. Check out this post I wrote previously and take a look at my mini-guide for making sense of nutrition reporting.

Curate Your Social Media Feed to Protect Your Mental Energy

Back in 2023, about 60% of the world’s population was using social media. No doubt that percentage has grown since then. It’s not surprising that recent research from around the world indicates that social media is tied to body image concerns, disordered eating, and negative mental health impacts. Idealized body images (whether real or AI-enhanced) and “What I eat in a day” videos flood our feeds. And they can trigger comparisons that leave most of us feeling “less than” about ourselves. Nourishing your health through food naturally requires a tailored approach, since we are all unique. Just because a particular food product or diet “works” for one influencer doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for anybody else. (And don’t forget that many influencers are paid to promote products and may not even use them in real life.)

To help protect your mental peace, pay attention to how you feel when viewing or listening to social content. If a particular account’s messaging or images routinely make you feel bad about your body or the way you eat, unfollow that account. Instead, seek out accounts that support your nutrition mindset. Ones that put forth realistic images, and acknowledge that real-life eating needs to be flexible and tailored. Your self-esteem, body image, and mental energy are too precious to abandon them to social media algorithms. Remember, the unfollow button is always just a tap away.

Find What Works for You and Stick With It

Be wary of chasing the next new diet plan, “superfood,” or TikTok-famous cooking hack. They can be the slippery slope to erratic eating habits or budget-busting grocery bills, to name a couple potential consequences. And to what nutritional end? The life of a fad is short. Our bodies do best when we support them with consistent, moderate, balanced food intake. A couple weeks of one diet followed by a few weeks of another just makes life complicated, and provides little (if any) benefit for your body. If you really want to help yourself, find your happy point on the lifestyle pendulum. The one where you are feeling good, and eating a nutritious diet most of the time. (Guiding Stars can help with that, by the way). Chances are you’ll have more success maintaining a healthy weight, with enough flexibility to enjoy some treats once in a while.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

Image by Freepik

PHILADELPHIA, December 5, 2025 /3BL/ – Subaru of America, Inc. today announced five local beneficiary organizations for its Subaru: Gear for Good initiative, which is dedicated to expanding access to and growing the game of soccer. Coinciding with the draw day announcement ahead of the soccer excitement coming to Philadelphia in 2026, the initiative will provide new and gently used equipment to youth in the local Philadelphia and Camden communities, underscoring Subaru and its retailers’ longstanding commitment to community and youth empowerment.

The selected organizations are:

• Capitolo Youth Soccer Club (CYSC) – CYSC uses soccer as a vehicle to instill universal values of fitness, fun, sportsmanship, respect, community, access, and equality. CYSC has a unique approach and philosophy to teaching soccer, nurturing players’ passion by providing an atmosphere in which they are free to experiment, create, and fail, without fear of judgment, resulting in truly fine players and ambassadors of the Beautiful Game.
• Dr. Henry H. Davis School – The Dr. Henry H. Davis School in East Camden is named after a Camden physician, school board member, Camden’s first medical inspector, and first chief medical inspector. His work in the areas of school health and nutrition saved countless children’s lives in Camden City. Currently, the school houses Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade for approximately 475 students of various learning modalities.
• Project Primacy – Project Primacy Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on youth soccer, particularly for Black and Brown children in inner-city Philadelphia. They aim to provide access to sports, mentorship, and other opportunities to support their development. The foundation has been involved in various initiatives, including free soccer clinics, and fundraising events like their “Dribble & Carry” Broad Street RUNdraiser.
• Safe-Hub Philly – Safe-Hub provides a physically and emotionally safe space for young people to access opportunities and support through soccer-based out-of-school-time programs that focus on personal development, health, education, and employment. Their goal is to bring high-quality sports programming and supportive services to families, providing a one-stop-shop for families to receive support through the stigma-free circumstances of coming to soccer practice.
• Youth Development United provides children from under-served communities with extracurricular opportunities, inspiring them to excel. Specifically, YDU provides children and their families with memorable after-school and weekend opportunities that increase their access to mentorship, wellness, and personal development through various sports and recreational opportunities.

Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America: “At Subaru, we believe in showing up for our communities in ways that truly matter. These organizations are already doing powerful work to support kids through the game of soccer, and we’re proud that Subaru: Gear for Good will help deepen that impact, especially as we head into 2026. Every piece of equipment collected and donated brings us closer to breaking down barriers and making the game more accessible for all.”

Each beneficiary was selected for its mission to support local youth through soccer, sports, and development programs. These organizations will receive brand-new gear from Subaru tailored to their specific programs and needs. Through partnerships with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union and the youth sports nonprofit Leveling the Playing Field, Subaru is also collecting soccer equipment via its donation bin network, which includes 17 Subaru retailers and Subaru Park, the Union’s home stadium in Chester, PA. This gear will be distributed to more than 100 youth programs on an ongoing basis in coordination with Leveling the Playing Field and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Collection will continue through April 3, 2026, as Subaru works toward its goal of distributing at least 2,026 pieces of new and gently used equipment.

Susan Slawson, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation: “Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is proud to stand alongside Subaru, the Philadelphia Union, and Leveling the Playing Field in a partnership that puts our young people first. Every day, we see how access to sports can open doors—building confidence, community, and dreams for the future. As we prepare for the world stage in 2026, this initiative underscores Philadelphia’s commitment to giving every young person a chance to truly see themselves in the game.”

As part of the collection initiative, community members throughout Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey can donate new or gently used soccer gear, including cleats, goalie gloves, shin guards, soccer balls, and more, through April 3, 2026, for a chance to win a range of prizes, including a trip to the 2026 MLS All-Star Weekend. The Subaru: Gear for Good Sweepstakes (official rules) is open to legal U.S. residents at least 18 years of age who live within a 75-mile radius of Subaru Park.

Kaitlin Brennan, Chief Operating Officer, Leveling the Playing Field: “Partnering with Subaru in celebration of the global soccer heading to Philadelphia greatly amplifies our mission – to expand access and equity within the realm of youth sports. This effort provides children with the opportunity to get involved with sports at a young age, granting the chance to experience the holistic benefits of youth sports on their physical, mental, and emotional health.”

Charlie Slonaker, Chief Revenue Officer, Philadelphia Union: “At the Union, we’re committed to making the game accessible to every child who wants to play. The Subaru: Gear for Good initiative helps remove equipment barriers, so access is determined by passion, not resources. With the excitement of 2026 coming to Philadelphia, we’re proud to work with Subaru of America and Leveling the Playing Field to expand opportunities for youth across the area and help continue to grow the game.”

The Subaru: Gear for Good initiative will give even more kids access to the gear they need to join teams, stay active, and enjoy the game. Any surplus donated items will be shared with additional youth organizations throughout the collection period. For more information, including donation locations, eligibility details, and official rules, visit philadelphiaunion.com/SubaruGearforGood.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise®, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 115,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

About Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union is an innovative, forward-thinking professional soccer club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) and one of Philadelphia’s five major league sports teams. Driven by unprecedented fan support, MLS awarded the Philadelphia expansion franchise rights to Jay Sugarman in 2008 and the Union kicked off its inaugural season in 2010. The club has reached the finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2014, 2015 and 2018, and has appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2020, the Union were awarded the club’s first Supporters’ Shield after finishing with the best regular season record in MLS. In 2022, the Union reached the MLS Cup Final for the first time in club history. In 2023, the Union reached the Eastern Conference semifinals, becoming the only Eastern Conference team to reach the semifinals in four of the last five seasons.

The Philadelphia Union is part of parent company Union Sports and Entertainment LLC, which also operates Philadelphia Union II, the Philadelphia Union Academy, Philadelphia Union Foundation and Philadelphia Union Youth Programs. With a commitment to developing youth, the Union has signed 25 academy prospects to homegrown player contracts.

The Union play at Subaru Park in Chester, PA on the banks of the Delaware River. The custom-built stadium is part of the Union’s unique waterfront campus, featuring a historic power plant rebuilt into a 400,000 sq. ft. creative office building, a state-of-the-art Training Complex, over seven acres of professional-grade practice pitches, and the newly announced WSFS Bank Sportsplex, a world-class, 365-day-a-year sports and recreation complex featuring indoor fieldhouse and seven outdoor fields. For more information about the Philadelphia Union, visit www.philadelphiaunion.com and follow @PhilaUnion on Twitter or Instagram.

About Leveling the Playing Field
Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) is a nonprofit organization committed to expanding access and equity in youth sports by redistributing new and gently-used sports equipment to under-resourced communities. Founded in 2013, LPF addresses the growing gap between those who can afford to participate in sports and those who cannot, recognizing the high cost of sporting goods as a major barrier.

Through a network of community donations and volunteers, LPF collects and sorts sports and recreational equipment, then supplies it to schools, community programs, and youth organizations across several regions. This philanthropic model not only provides gear but also empowers organizations to redirect limited budgets toward transportation, nutrition, staffing, and program expansion—making youth sports more inclusive and accessible for all.

With LPF’s support, youth programs are able to stretch their resources further. By removing the barrier of equipment cost, LPF helps create more inclusive and enriching opportunities for young athletes. Together, we’re building a future where every child has the chance to play, grow, and thrive through sports.

For more information, visit levelingtheplayingfield.org and follow us @lpfsports on Instagram.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of its people through stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways, and management of 500 recreation buildings, 166 miles of trail, and 250 playgrounds. PPR offers safe, enjoyable recreation, environmental and cultural programs and events throughout Philadelphia’s parks and recreation system. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world, to each other, and to fun, physical, and social opportunities. More than 3,000 full-time and seasonal employees proudly serve Philly residents every day, ensuring the department remains a modern, equitable and exceptional parks and recreation system. Visit www.phila.gov/parksandrec and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook or Instagram.

Media Contacts

Diane Anton
Corporate Communications Manager
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com

Adam Leiter
Corporate Communications Specialist
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com

PHILADELPHIA, December 5, 2025 /3BL/ – Subaru of America, Inc. today announced five local beneficiary organizations for its Subaru: Gear for Good initiative, which is dedicated to expanding access to and growing the game of soccer. Coinciding with the draw day announcement ahead of the soccer excitement coming to Philadelphia in 2026, the initiative will provide new and gently used equipment to youth in the local Philadelphia and Camden communities, underscoring Subaru and its retailers’ longstanding commitment to community and youth empowerment.

The selected organizations are:

• Capitolo Youth Soccer Club (CYSC) – CYSC uses soccer as a vehicle to instill universal values of fitness, fun, sportsmanship, respect, community, access, and equality. CYSC has a unique approach and philosophy to teaching soccer, nurturing players’ passion by providing an atmosphere in which they are free to experiment, create, and fail, without fear of judgment, resulting in truly fine players and ambassadors of the Beautiful Game.
• Dr. Henry H. Davis School – The Dr. Henry H. Davis School in East Camden is named after a Camden physician, school board member, Camden’s first medical inspector, and first chief medical inspector. His work in the areas of school health and nutrition saved countless children’s lives in Camden City. Currently, the school houses Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade for approximately 475 students of various learning modalities.
• Project Primacy – Project Primacy Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on youth soccer, particularly for Black and Brown children in inner-city Philadelphia. They aim to provide access to sports, mentorship, and other opportunities to support their development. The foundation has been involved in various initiatives, including free soccer clinics, and fundraising events like their “Dribble & Carry” Broad Street RUNdraiser.
• Safe-Hub Philly – Safe-Hub provides a physically and emotionally safe space for young people to access opportunities and support through soccer-based out-of-school-time programs that focus on personal development, health, education, and employment. Their goal is to bring high-quality sports programming and supportive services to families, providing a one-stop-shop for families to receive support through the stigma-free circumstances of coming to soccer practice.
• Youth Development United provides children from under-served communities with extracurricular opportunities, inspiring them to excel. Specifically, YDU provides children and their families with memorable after-school and weekend opportunities that increase their access to mentorship, wellness, and personal development through various sports and recreational opportunities.

Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America: “At Subaru, we believe in showing up for our communities in ways that truly matter. These organizations are already doing powerful work to support kids through the game of soccer, and we’re proud that Subaru: Gear for Good will help deepen that impact, especially as we head into 2026. Every piece of equipment collected and donated brings us closer to breaking down barriers and making the game more accessible for all.”

Each beneficiary was selected for its mission to support local youth through soccer, sports, and development programs. These organizations will receive brand-new gear from Subaru tailored to their specific programs and needs. Through partnerships with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union and the youth sports nonprofit Leveling the Playing Field, Subaru is also collecting soccer equipment via its donation bin network, which includes 17 Subaru retailers and Subaru Park, the Union’s home stadium in Chester, PA. This gear will be distributed to more than 100 youth programs on an ongoing basis in coordination with Leveling the Playing Field and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Collection will continue through April 3, 2026, as Subaru works toward its goal of distributing at least 2,026 pieces of new and gently used equipment.

Susan Slawson, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation: “Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is proud to stand alongside Subaru, the Philadelphia Union, and Leveling the Playing Field in a partnership that puts our young people first. Every day, we see how access to sports can open doors—building confidence, community, and dreams for the future. As we prepare for the world stage in 2026, this initiative underscores Philadelphia’s commitment to giving every young person a chance to truly see themselves in the game.”

As part of the collection initiative, community members throughout Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey can donate new or gently used soccer gear, including cleats, goalie gloves, shin guards, soccer balls, and more, through April 3, 2026, for a chance to win a range of prizes, including a trip to the 2026 MLS All-Star Weekend. The Subaru: Gear for Good Sweepstakes (official rules) is open to legal U.S. residents at least 18 years of age who live within a 75-mile radius of Subaru Park.

Kaitlin Brennan, Chief Operating Officer, Leveling the Playing Field: “Partnering with Subaru in celebration of the global soccer heading to Philadelphia greatly amplifies our mission – to expand access and equity within the realm of youth sports. This effort provides children with the opportunity to get involved with sports at a young age, granting the chance to experience the holistic benefits of youth sports on their physical, mental, and emotional health.”

Charlie Slonaker, Chief Revenue Officer, Philadelphia Union: “At the Union, we’re committed to making the game accessible to every child who wants to play. The Subaru: Gear for Good initiative helps remove equipment barriers, so access is determined by passion, not resources. With the excitement of 2026 coming to Philadelphia, we’re proud to work with Subaru of America and Leveling the Playing Field to expand opportunities for youth across the area and help continue to grow the game.”

The Subaru: Gear for Good initiative will give even more kids access to the gear they need to join teams, stay active, and enjoy the game. Any surplus donated items will be shared with additional youth organizations throughout the collection period. For more information, including donation locations, eligibility details, and official rules, visit philadelphiaunion.com/SubaruGearforGood.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise®, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 115,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

About Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union is an innovative, forward-thinking professional soccer club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) and one of Philadelphia’s five major league sports teams. Driven by unprecedented fan support, MLS awarded the Philadelphia expansion franchise rights to Jay Sugarman in 2008 and the Union kicked off its inaugural season in 2010. The club has reached the finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2014, 2015 and 2018, and has appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2020, the Union were awarded the club’s first Supporters’ Shield after finishing with the best regular season record in MLS. In 2022, the Union reached the MLS Cup Final for the first time in club history. In 2023, the Union reached the Eastern Conference semifinals, becoming the only Eastern Conference team to reach the semifinals in four of the last five seasons.

The Philadelphia Union is part of parent company Union Sports and Entertainment LLC, which also operates Philadelphia Union II, the Philadelphia Union Academy, Philadelphia Union Foundation and Philadelphia Union Youth Programs. With a commitment to developing youth, the Union has signed 25 academy prospects to homegrown player contracts.

The Union play at Subaru Park in Chester, PA on the banks of the Delaware River. The custom-built stadium is part of the Union’s unique waterfront campus, featuring a historic power plant rebuilt into a 400,000 sq. ft. creative office building, a state-of-the-art Training Complex, over seven acres of professional-grade practice pitches, and the newly announced WSFS Bank Sportsplex, a world-class, 365-day-a-year sports and recreation complex featuring indoor fieldhouse and seven outdoor fields. For more information about the Philadelphia Union, visit www.philadelphiaunion.com and follow @PhilaUnion on Twitter or Instagram.

About Leveling the Playing Field
Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) is a nonprofit organization committed to expanding access and equity in youth sports by redistributing new and gently-used sports equipment to under-resourced communities. Founded in 2013, LPF addresses the growing gap between those who can afford to participate in sports and those who cannot, recognizing the high cost of sporting goods as a major barrier.

Through a network of community donations and volunteers, LPF collects and sorts sports and recreational equipment, then supplies it to schools, community programs, and youth organizations across several regions. This philanthropic model not only provides gear but also empowers organizations to redirect limited budgets toward transportation, nutrition, staffing, and program expansion—making youth sports more inclusive and accessible for all.

With LPF’s support, youth programs are able to stretch their resources further. By removing the barrier of equipment cost, LPF helps create more inclusive and enriching opportunities for young athletes. Together, we’re building a future where every child has the chance to play, grow, and thrive through sports.

For more information, visit levelingtheplayingfield.org and follow us @lpfsports on Instagram.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of its people through stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways, and management of 500 recreation buildings, 166 miles of trail, and 250 playgrounds. PPR offers safe, enjoyable recreation, environmental and cultural programs and events throughout Philadelphia’s parks and recreation system. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world, to each other, and to fun, physical, and social opportunities. More than 3,000 full-time and seasonal employees proudly serve Philly residents every day, ensuring the department remains a modern, equitable and exceptional parks and recreation system. Visit www.phila.gov/parksandrec and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook or Instagram.

Media Contacts

Diane Anton
Corporate Communications Manager
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com

Adam Leiter
Corporate Communications Specialist
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com