The Mission Halloween should be a night of joy for every child, but for families navigating autism, it can often bring anxiety. To help make our neighborhoods more inclusive, Marie Mirville-Shahzada partnered with HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services to distribute “Blue Buckets” to families across the district.

Why This Matters The “Blue Bucket” is a dignified symbol that alerts neighbors that a trick-or-treater may be on the autism spectrum—and perhaps non-verbal. It encourages patience, kindness, and understanding without a parent having to explain their child’s diagnosis at every door.

A Personal Fight For Marie, this event is deeply personal. As a mother of a child with Autism, ADHD, and speech delays, she knows firsthand the challenges parents face in finding safe, welcoming spaces for their children. She understands the “frustrations and triumphs” of securing the right services.

• Breaking Barriers: By providing these resources, Marie is helping non-verbal children participate in community traditions with dignity.

• Connecting Families to Services: Beyond the buckets, this event served as a bridge, connecting parents with HeartShare’s critical resources for developmental disabilities.

• Community Education: It started a conversation in our district about what true inclusion looks like—reminding us all that a little patience goes a long way.