Globe Star is a non-profit organization that provides direct services for individuals with developmental disabilities, aged & disabled, persons with brain injuries and chronic health conditions.
It was founded in 1996 and has four offices located in Warsaw, Chesterton, Indianapolis and South Bend. Globe Star was opened based on the idea that individuals should be "captains of their own ship."
This ideology is used to create a spirit of hope in individuals so they can believe wholeheartedly, that they are capable of anything. In order to achieve this, Globe Star utilizes an international philosophy called Gentle Teaching.
Gentle Teaching promotes kindness, nurturing, gentle acts and advocates for change in social attitudes toward persons who are marginalized. The success of Gentle Teaching is derived from human dignity and mutual respect that is gained.
Caregivers at Globe Star, also known as direct service workers, learn to create a personal teaching plan based off of Gentle Teaching in a process that requires a lot of patience, self-assessment and reflection for the caregiver.
The personal teaching plan they create becomes a guide for the daily interactions between the individual and the caregiver. Caregivers use their hands, eyes and words to communicate messages. The goal is to teach the feeling of safety, love and gentleness during times when violence or negativity may occur around the individual.
Globe Star's founders Dr. Anthony McCrovitz and his wife Amanda, incorporate the framework of Gentle Teaching through a Quality of Life model that focuses on the experiences one has on a daily basis.
These experiences positively impact the individual and teaches them the importance of relationships, social skills and leisure skills. "The Quality of Life Program and Gentle Teaching help caregivers make the individual feel safe, valued and respected," stated Dr. McCrovitz.
Victoria Scharnke, who works at the Chesterton office, believes that Gentle Teaching not only benefits the individuals but the workers as well.
Caregivers benefit because they are challenged every day to evaluate the way they speak and act towards others so that the guidelines of Gentle Teaching are being used. The individuals are benefited because they are gaining respect for themselves and others with Gentle Teaching.
At times, the caregiver's behavior may be the difference between a positive or negative reaction from the individual. Because of this, many caregivers become close with the individuals they work with. Scharnke stated, "This makes working at Globe Star feel more like a family as opposed to a team."
This collaborative relationship where both the caregiver and the individual grow is the foundation for Gentle Teaching. At Globe Star, caregivers are encouraged to spend as much time as they can with the individuals in order to make them feel comfortable and respected. Many caregivers are considered a part of the individual's family, and vice versa.
Globe Star is an organization that uses Gentle Teaching to enhance the lives of its workers, individuals and the community so that each person can lead a fulfilling life.