America’s Promise Alliance  announced Thursday that Lincoln is a winner of its 2008 100 Best Communities for Young People competition.

More than 300 communities in all 50 states applied for the honor this year, and the winners come from 37 states. The Alliance is the nation’s largest alliance dedicated to children and youth and conducts the awards program in partnership with Capital One.

Lincoln is now eligible to apply for $300,000 in grants from the Alliance.

“This national recognition confirms what we have always known — there is no better place to raise children than Lincoln,” said Mayor Chris Beutler, who commented from Washington, D.C., where he is attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting.

The 100 Best competition was first held in 2005. To enter, cities are required to submit detailed information on existing community programs and initiatives that help deliver the “Five Promises,” resources identified by the Alliance as being critical to the development of healthy, successful children: caring adults; safe places; healthy start; effective education; and opportunities to help others.

Among the highlights of Lincoln’s application were the following programs and services:

* The Community Services Initiative coordinates programs in basic and emergency needs, behavioral health, child and youth development and abuse prevention.

* The Community Learning Centers make use of local schools to offer services to students, families and neighborhoods.

* The Learn to Dream program offers scholarships to all students graduating from the Lincoln Public Schools or private schools who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. The scholarships, funded by Union Bank & Trust and Nelnet, provide tuition and fees for up to 45 quarter credit hours at Southeast Community College.

* The Parks and Recreation Department’s recreational centers offer a range of social, recreational and educational opportunities to young people, including inter-generational activities, multi-ethnic community gardening, nutrition education and other childhood obesity prevention services.

* The Peoples Health Center provides healthcare to uninsured and under-insured children and families.

For more details about the 100 Best competition and to see a complete list of the 2008 winners, visit www.americaspromise.org.