Democrat & Chronicle:  <div> When Erika Mintz went to her first Sheltered Reality concert in Colorado, she was tired and expected to stay and listen to only a couple of songs. But she was amazed by the Christian-based drumming group. <p>"I ended up staying the entire time and bought a CD," said the 19-year-old from Webster.<br><br>Now she and her family are involved in starting a local Sheltered Reality group to spread fun music and the message of helping homeless youths. <p>The group plans to perform in February at a couple of schools and at Lake Avenue Baptist Church and Brighton United Church of Christ, where they currently rehearse. Details haven't yet been ironed out, but the group is already excited. <p>"I'm looking forward to performing, to getting the message out" about homelessness, Mintz said. "It's not something that just happens in New York City or Chicago. It can happen in the little town of Webster." <p>The whole idea of Sheltered Reality started in Iowa, said Sue Mintz, Erika's mother and one of about five parents who pulled together to organize the local branch. Now the nonprofit group has spread to five states, where teens drum, dance and teach others about volunteerism. <p>Twelve to 15 teens are involved locally, and not all had previous drumming experience, including 14-year-old Jestine Ware of Irondequoit.<br><br>"I always laugh when I mess up," she said. <p>Teens in the group are required to participate in volunteer work.<br><br>"They can't just give the message," Sue Mintz said. "They have to be living it, too." <p>But that doesn't bother Jestine. She has a hard time deciding which she likes better — drumming or volunteering. "It's fun to be around other people who do the same things you do, trying to help the world." <p>The group is looking for more members, invitations to perform and donors to help pay for drumming lessons. For more information, call Sue Mintz at (585) 671-9322 or visit <a>www.sheltered-reality.org</a> to learn about the original group. <p><a>MBAKKE@DemocratandChronicle.com</a> <p> </div> <script> function NewWindow(height,width,url) {window.open(url,"ShowProdWindow","menubars=0,scrollbars=1,resizable=1,height="+height+",width="+width); } </script>  <div> <table> <tr> <td> <p><a>print</a> | <a>send</a> | <a>bookmark</a> | <a><b>subscribe now</b></a></p> <p><a>BACK TO TOP</a></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div>

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Drumming up support

Local branch of Christian group helps homeless

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Drumming up support
Local branch of Christian group helps homeless

When Erika Mintz went to her first Sheltered Reality concert in Colorado, she was tired and expected to stay for only a couple of songs. But she was amazed by the Christian-based drumming group.

Now she and her family are involved in starting a local Sheltered Reality group to spread fun music and the message of homeless youth wherever they can.

Marketta Gregory
Staff writer

When Erika Mintz went to her first Sheltered Reality concert in Colorado, she was tired and expected to stay and listen to only a couple of songs. But she was amazed by the Christian-based drumming group."I ended up staying the entire time and bought a CD," said the 19-year-old from Webster.

Now she and her family are involved in starting a local Sheltered Reality group to spread fun music and the message of helping homeless youths.The group plans to perform in February at a couple of schools and at Lake Avenue Baptist Church and Brighton United Church of Christ, where they currently rehearse. Details haven't yet been ironed out, but the group is already excited."I'm looking forward to performing, to getting the message out" about homelessness, Mintz said. "It's not something that just happens in New York City or Chicago. It can happen in the little town of Webster."The whole idea of Sheltered Reality started in Iowa, said Sue Mintz, Erika's mother and one of about five parents who pulled together to organize the local branch. Now the nonprofit group has spread to five states, where teens drum, dance and teach others about volunteerism.Twelve to 15 teens are involved locally, and not all had previous drumming experience, including 14-year-old Jestine Ware of Irondequoit.

"I always laugh when I mess up," she said.Teens in the group are required to participate in volunteer work.

"They can't just give the message," Sue Mintz said. "They have to be living it, too."But that doesn't bother Jestine. She has a hard time deciding which she likes better — drumming or volunteering. "It's fun to be around other people who do the same things you do, trying to help the world."The group is looking for more members, invitations to perform and donors to help pay for drumming lessons. For more information, call Sue Mintz at (585) 671-9322 or visit www.sheltered-reality.org to learn about the original group.MBAKKE@DemocratandChronicle.com

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