Travel Between New Mexico Cities Made Easier Published Dec. 11, 2012 Soaring Heights via Land Lease Community Fund HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Travel between New Mexico's Alamogordo and Las Cruces cities just got a little easier and more affordable, thanks to Zia Therapy Center's Las Cruces Pilot Public Transportation Program, funded in part by a recent donation from the Lend Lease Community Fund. Alamogordo, Mescalero and Soaring Heights Holloman AFB residents can now make the 136-mile round-trip for only $4. "Soaring Heights, through the Lend Lease Community Fund, is supporting a much-needed public service," said Jacquelin Villanueva, assistant asset manager, Lend Lease. "This $2,215 donation helps fund a portion of the $54,800 that Zia Therapy needed to start the program." Zia Therapy Center raised $54,800 of the $109,600 in total program funding. The New Mexico Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration matched Zia Therapy's funding. October kicked-off the Las Cruces Pilot Public Transportation Program from Alamogordo to Las Cruces. In its first month the program served 475 riders. "Initially, we thought that most of the riders would be people who were looking for transportation to and from medical appointments in Las Cruces," said Sharon Gilsdorf, Zia Therapy's chief financial officer. "But it's serving so many more. Alamogordo has 800 kids who commute to the New Mexico State University in Las Cruces; this has become a popular alternative to students making the drive themselves." Zia Therapy Center is a non-profit organization that's met the needs of under-served community members since 1960. It started as a family support program for children with developmental disabilities. Today, Zia Therapy Center oversees more than 18 programs, to include: a childcare center, early intervention services for children (birth to 3 years-old) with developmental delays, programs for adults with disabilities, respite care for seniors, and providing transportation for more than 100,000 yearly throughout Alamogordo -- and now to Las Cruces. "Zia works hard to meet the needs of the entire community, and that includes our military families," said Sherill Bodwell, chief operating officer at Zia Therapy. "We work very closely with Holloman's Exceptional Family Member Program and the Airman and Family Readiness Center. I believe in what we do; Zia is definitely in my heart." About Soaring Heights Soaring Heights is a 50-year partnership created between the Department of the Air Force and Lend Lease through the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI). Development commenced at Soaring Heights in 2007 with completion by 2013. Excelling at large, complex development projects, Lend Lease works with institutional owners to create value and deliver exceptional returns. About Lend Lease Lend Lease is a leading global real estate services business, having developed, constructed and managed real estate assets around the world for more than 50 years. Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, the Lend Lease Group operates in 30 countries on six continents with a significant presence in Australia, Asia, Europe and the Americas. In the United States, Lend Lease's public partnership business is the nation's leader in public/private community development. With a focus on creating sustainable value, Lend Lease creates communities that regenerate our environment, enrich people's lives and foster economic growth. Lend Lease has worked extensively with the Department of Defense through the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI), a program that provides for the transfer of military housing assets to private sector companies. With over 40,000 residential units, 192 apartments and 8,500 hotel rooms in its portfolio, Lend Lease will finance, develop, build, renovate and operate these sites for at least 50 years.