Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks at the unveiling of a DASH bus with Kids’ First Years messaging, as part of the city’s Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Mayor Alyia Gaskins (on right) celebrates the unveiling of a DASH bus with Kids’ First Years messaging, as part of the city’s Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
A DASH bus with messaging from Kids’ First Years, as part of the city’s Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Maria McDonald, director of collective impact and partnerships with Kids’ First Years, at the unveiling of a DASH bus with wraparound and interior messaging to promote early child development, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Michelle Smith Howard, CEO of Kids’ First Years, at the unveiling of a DASH bus with messaging from the nonprofit, as part of the city’s Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Children at the unveiling of a DASH bus with messaging from Kids’ First Years, as part of the city’s Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
DASH CEO Josh Baker
speaks at the unveiling of a DASH bus with Kids’ First Years messaging, as part of the city’s Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Mayor Alyia Gaskins (on right) speaks to children at the unveiling of a DASH bus with messaging by Kids’ First Years, as part of the city’s Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Mayor Alyia Gaskins (on right) speaks to children at the unveiling of a DASH bus with messaging by Kids’ First Years, as part of the city’s Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Inside a DASH bus with messaging by Kids’ First Years, as part of the city’s Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Alexandria’s DASH bus service kicked off April’s Month of the Young Child this morning (Monday) with the unveiling of a bus covered with early childhood development messaging intended to inspire parents.
The bus “takeover” was unveiled at DASH headquarters (3000 Business Center Drive) and includes exterior wraparound messaging and interior display messaging on five principles to help young children thrive. Mayor Alyia Gaskins, DASH CEO Josh Baker and Michelle Smith Howard, CEO of Kids’ First Years, were among approximately 50 children and adults who attended.
“We know the earliest of years of life are a period of incredible brain development,” Howard said. “What makes the biggest difference during this time are simple, everyday interactions between children and the adults who care for them. That’s the idea behind the basics, small moments like talking, reading, singing and playing, that build strong foundations for learning and growth. That is why this partnership matters so much to us.”
According to Kids’ First Years, the five basics for parents are:
Maximize love and manage stress
Talk, sing and point
Count, group and compare
Explore through movement and play
Read and discuss stories
Baker said that buses are a unique messaging platform.
“We’re really excited to see the bus today, and we’re going to welcome it and see it out there on the road every single day,” Baker said.
Gaskins thanked the transit system for the partnership and said that the initiative has a role to play in children’s lives.
“My hope is that as you ride and as you move around our community, you’re not only going to have a ton of fun on a vehicle like this,” Gaskins said. “You’re going to be reminded that your city cares for you, your city supports you, and your city wants to help you grow and reach your full potential.”
Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.
