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One of Alexandria's fare-free buses is getting a new look — and a new mission.
Kids' First Yearson , a collective impact organization supporting early childhood efforts in the city, will partner with DASH (Alexandria Transit) to unveil a specially designed bus Monday, April 6, at 10 a.m. at DASH's facility at 3000 Business Center Drive. The event will mark the kickoff of Alexandria's Month of the Young Child.
The bus will feature colorful wraparound graphics on the exterior and interior messaging highlighting The Basics, five principles designed to help young children thrive. The two organizations also collaborated on a coloring book featuring DASHY, DASH's mascot, visiting kid-friendly locations across Alexandria and introducing each of The Basics principles in an age-appropriate way. The coloring book will be available at the kickoff event and others throughout the month.
"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 and CEO.
Michelle Smith Howard, president and CEO of Kids' First Years, said the partnership is about reaching families where they already are. "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," she said.
Throughout April, Kids' First Years is encouraging families and community partners to follow daily themes aligned with The Basics: Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday.
The month will also include a Spring2Action Day of Giving on Wednesday, April 22, presented by ACT for Alexandria. That evening, from 3 to 6 p.m., Kids' First Years and its partners will host a family-friendly event at Pat Miller Square — home of the Del Ray Farmers Market — at 2311 Mt. Vernon Ave.
More information about The Basics is available at kidsfirstyears.org/the-basics. To give on Spring2Action Day, visit spring2action.org.
