Introducing a new weekly feature, Gen Y This Week. Each week we’ll share with you insights from across the web about Gen Y, and because we love our home in Chicago, the occasional story about our city.

GEN Y IMPACTING RESPONSE TO SNOWSTORMS AND TORNADOS

Code for America, a non-profit organization that offers year-long fellowships to talented programmers, is targeting Gen Y coders to help aid in local government efforts in responding to and controlling severe weather after-effects. One successful project launched is the creation of a mobile app where users can “adopt” a Boston fire hydrant during snowstorms – keeping it clear of snow and accessible to firefighters.

GEN Y AND THE FACEBOOK RELATIONSHIP STATUS

Earlier this week, Mashable, in conjunction with Survata, released the findings from a survey of 3,000 social media users of all ages, comparing their digital habits when it comes to dating and relationships.

Fun fact about Gen Y and Facebook: Facebook was founded in 2004, when the oldest Gen Y-er (born in 1980) was 24 years old. The youngest Gen Y-er (born in 2000) was only 4 years old at the time.

Of all age groups, those aged 23 – 29 were most likely to check their phones on a first date, provided their date wasn’t in the room. The same age group is also likely to wait until multiple dates to send a romantic interest a friend request.

GEN Y ISN’T WATCHING CABLE, BUT THEY ARE WATCHING “ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK”

Netflix’s new original series “Orange is the New Black” hit social media big time this week and highlighted a growing trend in Gen Y media consumers.

Unlike network shows, which are only available online one day after airing, Netflix has captured the desire of Gen Y to watch any show when you want, where you want, on any device. The ability to watch an entire season at once not only feeds Gen Y’s desire for constant, free and streaming media, it enables viewers to engage constantly on social media.

Bonus: Netflix understands how you watch videos, and they have some pretty funny commercials about it. Watch Preparation and Watching Ahead.

IN CHICAGO: ADOPT BENTON, THE MOST FAMOUS CAT IN CHICAGO

By now Benton the cat has become an internet sensation when the Chicago Tribune released their “cat-centric homepage.” The comments that followed the homepage fail were dominated by supporting comments and love for the pages’ accidental release. Since the test-mishap, Benton has seen an increased interest in his adoption, along with other cats in the Feline Friends care. Although animal adoption is not the front and center of the Tribune, it got to be for sixteen minutes and raised awareness throughout the internet population on the animals in need.