Alamogordo Launches Pioneering Local Thrive Guide to Support Holloman Air Force Base Families

Alamogordo, New Mexico – 2nd Life Media AlamogordoTownNews.org as a part of its ongoing #AlamogordoProud series spotlights another community accomplishment. In a meaningful advancement for military family support, the City of Alamogordo, in partnership with Holloman Air Force Base and local organizations, has unveiled the Alamogordo Thrive Guide—a comprehensive digital resource that brings the national Five & Thrive initiative directly to the community. Led by dedicated advocate Danielle Rondelez, this interactive guide serves as a centralized, easy-to-navigate tool designed to help military families arriving at Holloman AFB quickly access vetted local resources, settle in faster, and build stronger connections in Otero County.

What Is Five & Thrive?

The national version was inspirationalized in 2021 by Sharene Brown, spouse of General Charles Q. “CQ” Brown Jr. (former Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), alongside a team of fellow military spouses called the Thrive Team, Five & Thrive tackles the recurring quality-of-life hurdles that military families face during frequent relocations and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves.

The framework revolves around five core pillars that significantly affect families across all military branches:

• Childcare

• Education

• Healthcare

• Affordable Housing

• Spousal Employment

Through advocacy, community partnerships, best-practice sharing, events, and resources such as localized Thrive Guides, the initiative aims to prevent challenges, raise awareness, and create collaborative solutions involving military leadership, spouses, and civilian communities. It has grown to support Guard, Reserve, and other components via partnerships, including with the National Defense University Foundation.

Why It Matters in Our Community

As the region’s largest employer and a key mission partner, Holloman Air Force Base drives Alamogordo’s economy and community vitality. New military families often arrive with tight timelines and little local knowledge, struggling to piece together information that’s scattered across multiple agencies, websites, and platforms—frequently outdated or hard to find.

Alamogordo boasts excellent resources, from top-rated schools and healthcare facilities to recreational opportunities and nonprofit services, but the absence of a unified, newcomer-friendly entry point has historically slowed integration.

What Was Created Locally: The Alamogordo Thrive Guide

Under the visionary leadership of Danielle Rondelez—a prominent community figure known for her roles in the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce (including community service and fundraising coordination) and initiatives like Project RISE—the Alamogordo Thrive Guide was crafted as a tailored digital adaptation of the national model.

Presented to the Alamogordo City Commission in late 2025, this interactive flipbook-style resource consolidates practical, Alamogordo-specific information into one trusted platform for Holloman AFB families and community newcomers. It transforms the five pillars into actionable local support while highlighting ways to engage and thrive in the area.

Highlights of the guide include:

• Vetted resources covering childcare options, education pathways, healthcare providers, affordable housing assistance, and spousal employment support

• Direct points of contact, phone numbers, websites, and step-by-step guidance

• “Hidden Gems” featuring family-friendly attractions, local events, recreation, and quality-of-life highlights in Alamogordo and surrounding areas

• Volunteer opportunities and community engagement ideas to help families connect and contribute

• Over 350 active hyperlinks for seamless, one-click access

The guide was developed collaboratively with Holloman AFB military leadership and community engagement teams, City of Alamogordo officials and staff, schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and other partners. Funding from the Sacramento Mountains Foundation ensured it accurately reflects community capabilities, meets genuine military family needs, and emphasizes transparency, accuracy, and ongoing sustainability.

Official Recognition and National Alignment

The Alamogordo Thrive Guide is prominently featured on the official Five & Thrive website (fiveandthrive.org), establishing Alamogordo as one of the first communities nationwide to actively localize and implement the model. This endorsement validates its close alignment with the original spouse-led mission.

Access the Guide

The Alamogordo Thrive Guide is available as an interactive digital flipbook for easy online viewing and navigation. Access it here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/1043202/2332228. For additional context, related resources, or updates, visit the national Five & Thrive Thrive Guides section at fiveandthrive.org/thrive-guide.

Why This Is Important

The guide accelerates family integration, alleviates relocation challenges, and fosters deeper trust between Holloman AFB and the Alamogordo community. It directly bolsters military readiness through:

• Recruitment

• Retention

• Resilience

• Readiness

Ultimately, it cements Alamogordo’s standing as a genuinely military-ready and family-ready community that prioritizes support for service members and their loved ones.

Key Takeaway

The Alamogordo Thrive Guide is a locally created, nationally recognized powerhouse—delivering centralized, trusted resources to military families while fortifying the essential bond between Holloman Air Force Base and Alamogordo.

This collaborative success story, driven by leaders like Danielle Rondelez, demonstrates the transformative power of community partnership and the importance of Holloman to our local community. It builds lasting relationships, cultivates trust, and reaffirms Alamogordo’s deep commitment to military families long term .

Military families new to Holloman AFB, residents, and supporters are invited to explore the guide and contribute to an even stronger, more connected community and this is just another example of what at AlamogordoTownNews.org we identify as #AlamogordoProud. An example of community collaborations and leadership by community members making a positive difference to our lives.

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