The local nonprofit College of Adaptive Arts is joining forces with the San Jose Barracuda AHL hockey team for its “Hockey is for Everyone” fundraiser on Nov. 16.
Students from College of Adaptive Arts will sing the opening National Anthem and perform a special cheer routine during the game. Based out of West Valley College in Saratoga, the College of Adaptive Arts provides college programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The event is also a fundraiser, with a portion of the ticket sales going to the College of Adaptive Arts (CAA). Daniel Fruzzetti, a representative from the Barracudas, said the event is designed to welcome and recognize people of all backgrounds.
CAA Executive Director Nicole Kim said money raised at the event will go to the nonprofit’s general fund and will likely be used for networking events for students.
The CAA offers a workforce development program called the Cardinal Apprenticeship Program, and the nonprofit’s upcoming partnership with the Barracudas is the result of the outreach work that a student in the program did, Kim said.
The event will also serve as an opportunity for students to put what they’ve learned to use. One student with an interest in journalism has secured an interview with a hockey player on the team, Kim said.
“It’s really just an opportunity for the students to perform and transform perceptions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and have some fun, social time together,” Kim said. “That’s the primary reason; fundraising is the icing on the cake.”
The Barracudas face off against the Wranglers at 6 p.m. at the Tech CU Arena, 1500 S. 10th St., San Jose. Tickets are $23.36 at https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/CAAHIFE.