DASH (Alexandria Transit) is pleased to announce a new community partnership with Kids’ First Years (KFY), a collective impact organization dedicated to serving as the unified voice for community partners working to support early childhood development efforts across Alexandria. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening families and expanding access to resources that help young children thrive.
To mark the occasion, DASH hosted a ceremony at our facility on Monday, April 6, 2026, to announce the partnership and unveil a newly wrapped bus featuring The Basics—five simple yet powerful principles designed to help young children thrive, on both the interior and exterior. The bus will travel throughout Alexandria, bringing these messages directly into neighborhoods and daily commutes, making early learning strategies more visible and accessible to families across the city.
The event brought together city officials, community leaders, parents, and some of Alexandria’s youngest residents to celebrate the launch of this meaningful partnership. Attendees heard remarks from Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, DASH General Manager & CEO Josh Baker, KFY President & CEO Michelle Smith Howard, and KFY Director of Collective Impact and Partnerships Maria McDonald, all of whom emphasized the value of collaboration in supporting families and children.
The announcement comes during Alexandria’s Month of the Young Child, an annual observance that highlights the critical developmental years before kindergarten and celebrates the lasting impact of high-quality early learning experiences. The timing underscores the importance of investing in children during their earliest stages of growth, when foundational skills for lifelong success are formed.
As part of the collaboration, DASH and KFY also developed a new, family-friendly coloring book featuring our lovable mascot, DASHY, as it visits kid-friendly locations throughout Alexandria. At each stop, DASHY introduces one of The Basics principles in a fun and engaging way, encouraging children and caregivers to learn together. The coloring book debuted at the kickoff event and will continue to be distributed at events during and after the Month of the Young Child, extending the reach of this initiative beyond the initial launch.
“The best transit systems are built in partnership with the communities they serve, and that means showing up for families at every stage of life, especially from the very beginning,” said Josh Baker, DASH General Manager & CEO. “Kids’ First Years has spent years ensuring Alexandria’s youngest children get the start they deserve, and we are proud to partner with them and help amplify their extraordinary work in every neighborhood we serve.”
“This new collaboration with DASH highlights how essential public transportation is in connecting families to early childhood services and daily opportunities for learning,” said Michelle Smith Howard, President & CEO of Kids’ First Years. “By sharing eye-catching messages about The Basics on buses traveling throughout Alexandria, we’re meeting families where they are and encouraging them to use everyday moments, such as on the bus, at home, and in their neighborhoods, to engage their children using The Basics principles. This citywide effort, supported by organizations across our collective, helps ensure our youngest children are set up for success in school and in life.”
Through this partnership, DASH and KFY will work together to increase awareness of early childhood development strategies across the city, including through visible, accessible messaging on public transit. By leveraging DASH’s reach throughout Alexandria, the initiative aims to connect families with practical tools and resources that can be incorporated into everyday routines.
Together, DASH and Kids’ First Years aim to build a stronger, more connected community where every child has the opportunity to succeed from the very start.
About DASH:
DASH is a fare-free public transit system providing safe, reliable and convenient bus services throughout the City of Alexandria, Virginia. They offer eco-friendly, accessible transportation that helps reduce traffic congestion and enhances the quality of life for residents, commuters, and visitors.
In addition to its local routes, DASH plays a critical role in the broader transportation network by partnering with regional transportation agencies, including Metrobus, Metrorail, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and other bus systems to connect Alexandria to the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
About the Kids’ First Years:
Kids’ First Years (KFY) is a collective impact organization dedicated to being the unified voice for the community partners that collaborate to support early childhood efforts in Alexandria As a nonprofit representing a collective partnership, Kids’ First Years brings families, educators, community leaders and champions for young children together for one purpose: to ensure every child in the City of Alexandria has a strong start to life. KFY is the first stop for families and partners alike, connecting the Alexandria community with the right resource, data or next step at the right time. For more information about Kids’ First Years and the collective of community partners, visit www.kidsfirstyears.org or email info@kidsfirstyears.org.