Event: 9th Annual Party on Ice
Date: April 11, 2026
Location: Shark’s Ice at San Jose
Population Served: Foster youth ages 3+
Event Highlights:
On Saturday, April 11, foster youth and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteers laced up their skates for a fun-filled spring party at Sharks Ice in San Jose. While spring rain showered outside, the rink offered the perfect escape. A total of 27 foster youth and 18 CASA Volunteers attended, sharing the ice with players from the Santa Clara Valley Blackhawks Hockey Association and creating an exciting and supportive environment for everyone involved.
Attendees kicked off the afternoon with a hearty meal of chicken wings, salads and fresh fruit, giving everyone the energy they needed for the activities ahead. Once lunch wrapped up, it was time to hit the ice. Foster youth and their CASAs gathered at the rink, laced up their skates and prepared for a new experience. Each youth was paired with a player from the Santa Clara Valley Blackhawks Hockey Association, who helped them learn the basics of skating. With the support of their mentors and the use of stacked buckets for balance, youth cautiously stepped onto the ice. As the session went on, youth began letting go of their supports and gliding across the rink on their own.
As the event came to a close, the rink was filled with laughter, encouragement and a strong sense of accomplishment. What began as a new and sometimes challenging experience turned into a moment of pride for many youth, who left feeling more confident and supported. Through shared laughter, teamwork and the guidance of their CASAs and community partners, youth were able to create joyful memories and strengthen meaningful connections.
Words from our youth when asked what they liked the most:
- “Skating was fun!
- “Spending time with my CASA.”.
- “ It was perfect!”
The 9th Annual Spring Party on Ice was possible thanks to the generosity of the Santa Clara Valley Blackhawks Hockey Association and Sharks Ice at San Jose, who provided our youth with skating lessons, lunch, rental skates, jerseys, volunteers and more. We would also like to thank our CASA Mentor Jessica Lee, who coordinated the event. It’s through events like this one that we can. provide foster youth with positive experiences to bond with their CASA Volunteers, other foster youth and their siblings.
If you have any questions or are interested in sponsoring a youth-related event, please contact our development department at development@childadvocatessv.org.
