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Group reaches students through musicBy Jennifer S. McDonald C & G Staff Writer Loud music can be a parent’s worst nightmare. The beating of cymbals and drums is enough to drive the calmest guardian hysterical. But stereotypes that accompany music no longer apply in reference to Sheltered Reality. By playing unique drumming rhythms, Sheltered Reality hopes to inspire people to make a difference in the world. This group recently visited Troy middle schools.“Sheltered Reality grew out of my desire to explore whether or not music could be used as a motivational tool through which audiences could be educated on problems that kids face and then be inspired to take action to help solve these problems,” Sheltered Reality director Steve Schlosser said. “Sheltered Reality grew out of work for dissertation in motivational education theory at the University of Iowa.” A typical show, like the one presented in Troy, features both original and choreographed cover songs.“They are a group of young adults from Iowa whose purpose is to spread the meaning of the homeless in our country,” Larson Middle School Principal Dennis Seppanen says. “During the course of the program, they hope to encourage students to do something to alleviate this situation.” Sheltered Reality is a nonprofit musical organization made up of people ages 6 to 18. The group is dedicated to helping those who are less fortunate, including the homeless, runaways, victims of domestic violence, or drug and alcohol abusers. They combine high-energy music with an educational message to inspire volunteerism. “Music has always been a motivational factor for me, and further, I know as a society we must take care of our young people as they are our future.” Schlosser said. “We must do anything and everything we can to help them, and, moreover, to help other young people realize that they, too, can help their peers who need assistance in all kinds of ways.” Sheltered Reality started in 1997. One hundred and seventy shows were given in 2003 in 96 communities. Troy’s presentation was Sheltered Reality’s first show in Michigan. “This group tries to give a message through song about leadership in the community,” Smith Middle School Principal Stuart Redpath said. “They show how to be a good citizen.” By the end of 2003, Sheltered Reality was comprised of 130 performers from all across the country. Currently there is a waiting list to join the group. They have received two awards. The first was the Presidential Award for Best Youth Project Aimed at Ending Homelessness in America. The National Association recognized the group on Oct. 17, 2003, for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. The second award was for Outstanding Young Iowan of the Year, given to Executive Director Steve Schlosser Nov. 8, 2003, by the Iowa Jaycees.“Currently, our primary goal is to grow Sheltered Reality into every state in the country over the next decade so that all young people have access to the music, the mission, and the message, and come to realize that they truly can shape the future of America,” Schlosser said. Sheltered Reality is a popular group and is booked solid for almost the entire year. It has a waiting list of more than 100 communities that hope it will visit. Schlosser said the group has 10 operating sites in five states. He said by the end of the school year he hopes to expand that to 15. Groups are located in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan and New York. “Our biggest accomplishment is that we inspired young people as young as 6 and as old as 90 to make so many differences in the lives of others, from doing volunteer work at shelters, to donating items in large quantities to programs of all kinds assisting people in need, to preventing a family in Iowa from becoming homeless,” Schlosser said. “All of these projects have been designed by the young people who completed them, which is exactly what we wanted.” Schlosser said that the Troy middle schools responded positively. He even expects to add some Troy students to the Detroit-based Sheltered Reality. An informational meeting about the Detroit-based Sheltered Reality will be held this month. The time and date will be announced at a later date. For more information on Sheltered Reality, visit www.sheltered-reality.org/. You can reach Jennifer McDonald at jmcdonald@candgnews.com
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