Habitify Blog

On living a mentally fulfilling life with Pawel - Business Analyst at SoftServe

Usually, business analysts are caught with dreadful reports and screens full of query codes. It seems like the numbers eat up their life until they exhaust themselves and break down. That just proves that Pawel Stelmach is not a typical business analyst, at least not like I imagined when first getting in touch with him. Having over 30 habits on his plate, Pawel is often found busy juggling between healthy activities, self-development acts and professional tasks.

Goodwill Central Texas

Steve “It’s a joy to work with people,” he said. “And I didn’t know that. I enjoy helping people. And every day it’s very rewarding.”

– Steve

Amanda “Goodwill has definitely helped me achieve my goals.”

– Amanda

Armando “Goodwill helps by giving people second chances, including myself.”

– Armando

Rose Marie “The Goodwill Excel Center helps everybody excel by making sure they have the resources they need to stay in school.”

– Rose Marie

Gracie “I would definitely recommend Goodwill to anyone.”

– Gracie

Manzi “I knew that this was the first step to achieving my dream career.”

– Manzi

Brandie “Goodwill is very accommodating and accepting of everyone — they really helped me.”

– Brandie

Iris “Goodwill has changed my life.”

– Iris

Donya “Goodwill has a lot of opportunities for people if you put your mind to it.”

– Donya

Marlon “Goodwill gave me a really nice hand-up and helped me start again.”

– Marlon

Julia “The digital literacy was so important because there is so much new technology.”

– Julia

LaTara “Getting a second chance,getting my diploma…meant everything.”

–LaTara

Frank “Today when I come home from work, I have a lot of things to be thankful for.”

– Frank

Bryce “I will not let my disability stop me. Goodwill doesn’t look at our disability. Goodwill looks at us..”

– Bryce

Andrea “They provided a lot of support and had no judgment. They took the time to talk to you and listen. Hearing them say ‘I’m here for you’ – I appreciated them to the fullest.”

– Andrea

Ana “The faculty and staff were amazing at…Excel. They always gave me confidence and always believed in me.”

– Ana

Verna “Now I know how life-changing Goodwill is.”

– Verna

Patricia “I always want to do better the next week, so more people are helped.”

– Patricia

Celia “It was always my dream to go back to school. I never thought I was going to accomplish everything that I have accomplished.”

– Celia

Ana, Jovita, and Yuliania “ check out the good work that’s done here. It’s a really good opportunity…to get your high school diploma and have a better future.”

– Jovita

Tamika “For anyone wanting to finish their high school education, the Excel Center is an excellent choice. You have to take that first step.”

– Tamika

Cindy “I was proud of myself that I came down here and I’ve been a winner ever since I’ve been down here. I’m making it, and I'm successful.”

– Cindy

James “Prison saved my life.

I finally decided that I was going to get out and try to do things differently.”

– James

Harley “Goodwill is helping me accomplish my goals in life. Your heart and determination are helping me get to where I am today.”

– Harley

Jaquelin “I have a car now. I have a home. I have more money, and more time to spend with my kids. I’m more successful and [feel] more secure about my life.”

– Jaquelin

Cynthia “They helped me with everything. They stayed late to help me with catch up with schoolwork when I needed it.”

– Cynthia

Jon & Marissa “They helped us out with the daycare, and that’s why we were able to go. That’s how we ended up going to school there.”

– Marissa

LaQuinita “I took advantage of every option there is. That’s how I’m able to stand here today. I was able to say, ‘hey, I need help.’ It helped give me the security I needed to keep pushing forward.”

– LaQuinita

Alexis “I don’t know where I would be without Goodwill.”

– Alexis

Jacquelynn “The Goodwill Excel Center has given me another chance to succeed in life and do better for myself”

– Jacquelynn

Meet Chaz “I don’t have time for my old life, because that kind of life will never allow me to reach my goals.”

– Chaz

Meet Azalia “Take pride in how far you have come. Have faith in how far you can go.”

– Azalia

Meet Kevin “Goodwill…opens doors for you. I never realized what Goodwill could do for you!”

– Kevin

Meet Stan “At Goodwill, I felt like I was home as soon as I walked in.”

– Stan

Meet Bella “I’m part of something much bigger…a real community doing good. All of us are part of keeping people alive and healthy.”

– Bella

Meet Larry “I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for Goodwill.”

– Larry

Meet Corey “Having the job here at Goodwill has changed my life. Goodwill has kept me grounded, showing me I have a future.”

– Corey

Meet José “I love The Goodwill Excel Center! It has opened doors for me and really changed my life.”

– José

Meet Octavia “Goodwill helped me stay on course to achieving my goals, and showed me that I can still accomplish more.”

– Octavia

Meet Jenissa “Goodwill has the potential to become your family.”

– Jenissa

Meet Raymon “Goodwill has been like a family. I now see the best in me, because Goodwill saw the best in me!”

– Raymon

Meet Ray “The programs that Goodwill offered have changed my life and given me a new career.”

– Ray

Meet Shirley "My life is amazing! My fiancé has been the best cheerleader. My kids – sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandkids – stuck by me through [it] all.”

– Shirley

Meet Keidi "It's like I always tell my daughters: I started at zero and I worked hard to make a change, now you are both starting at ten. Hard work pays off.”

– Keidi

Meet Brittney "Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from becoming a better you. Goodwill will help you, as long as you are willing to do the work.”

– Brittney

Meet Lyric "It’s up to me to put in the work. If you put in the work, you can accomplish anything. It’s a choice. And I choose to sing again.”

– Lyric

Albert Update “Goodwill gave me the tools and the chance I needed. It was up to me to advance myself into what I’ve become, and now I’m on the path for my dream career.”

– Albert

Meet GG “Thanks to Goodwill, I was given a career and a plan and a purpose – my road to recovery.”

– GG

Meet Girlie “Thanks to The Goodwill Excel Center, I can now excel in life for me, for my family, and for my future.”

– Girlie

Meet Ashlee “Goodwill has given me so many things, but most of all, my life.”

– Ashlee

Meet Raymond “Goodwill opened doors for me. They’ve given me a career, and now I know I can overcome any obstacle. I will achieve my goals.”

– Raymond

Meet Bella “I wouldn’t have this job without Goodwill!”

– Bella

Meet Kaitlen “ I found a place where no matter where you come from, what your background is, what you’ve been through – Goodwill opens their arms and helps you…there are no closed doors, and they never let you fail.” – Kaitlen

Meet Lauren “I was at the lowest point in my life. Because of hard work and Goodwill’s help, I have a roof over my head.”

– Lauren

Meet Ginger “It’s the most rewarding experience in my life to be able to help my students.”

– Ginger

Meet Michael “I want [my son] to see that education helps you succeed. It gives you more than a job. It gives you a future that you look forward to every day.”

– Michael

Meet Alberto

Outstanding Graduate “Goodwill has given me hope – now I see what I want to do, where I want to go. I can help my family.”

– Alberto, Goodwill Excel Center Graduate

Meet Charles

Outstanding Employee “I can raise my family well, and save for my retirement. Goodwill handed me my future.”

– Charles Jackson, Store Manager, Goodwill

Meet Lynn

Outstanding Achiever “I went from being an unemployed vet to owning my own business with my own truck – life is sure good.” – Lynn Johnson, Over-The-Road Truck Driver, Business Owner

Meet Liliana

Outstanding Youth “Goodwill helped me take control of my life and my future. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

– Liliana, College Student

Meet Dammond “Before Goodwill, I didn’t see myself going anywhere in life. I thought I’d go back to prison. I had no path. Now I’m achieving things, big things.”

– Dammond, Law Clerk, Tutor, College Student

Meet Rachel In an abusive relationship, Rachel fled to Texas with her three sons, their hamsters, and a few backpacks.

Meet Daniel As a member of the deaf community, Daniel faced a significant language barrier and struggled with navigating the job market. Frustrated with his job search, Daniel came to Goodwill.

Meet Jessica “I stay motivated, because every day I come to school, I’m one day closer to reaching my goals.”

– Jessica

Meet Albert I accomplished everything I set my mind to.

– Albert

Meet Ileini When Ileini first came to Goodwill, she was 20 years old, living in a tent behind the Walmart. She knew she had to make a change. Get to know Ileini.

Meet Patrick In 1994, Patrick was sentenced to life in prison. After appealing his case and being released from incarceration, he has become a successful employee of the City of Austin. Get to know Patrick.

Meet Debbi When Debbi was just an infant, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. However, Debbi has never allowed her disability to limit her opportunities. Get to know Debbi.

Meet Isa Isa was a teen mom, had been kicked out of high school, and incarcerated - all by the age of 18. At 20, she stood in a courtroom facing a ten year prison sentence. When the judge gave her one more chance, she started her Goodwill journey. Get to know Isa.

Meet Edward After serving honorably in the United States Marine Corps, Edward struggled to find work after losing his job during a company downsize. Goodwill helped him find his independence again.

Get to know Edward.

Meet Billy Billy struggled with a learning disability and many obstacles to work before coming to Goodwill. Now with his valuable work experience, he knows he can achieve his goal of going to college. Get to know Billy.

Success Stories

Business Owner

My name is John Cronin. I have Down syndrome. Last November, I started a new business with my Dad. It is called John’s Crazy Socks and we sell socks online. I love having my own business and I love working with my Dad. I want to share my story so that people can learn about John’s Crazy Socks and other people can see what someone with Down syndrome can do.

I love hearing my Dad tell the story of when I was born and he held me in his arms and cried because he was so happy. I don’t remember any of this, but I was sick when I was born. I had two operations. Doctors fixed my intestine when I was only two days old. And before I was three months old, I had heart surgery because I had a hole in my heart. A lot of people with Down syndrome are born with heart problems, but good doctors can repair those hearts. My Mom and Dad have pictures when I was just a tiny, tiny baby, but now I am big, strong and healthy.

I have my own business now, but I spent a lot of time in school learning so I could start my business. I went to pre-school at ACDS. I remember riding the bus to school and have pictures from when I was playing in that school. They helped me get started. After pre-school, I went to the Huntington Schools. I have had many really good teachers there who helped me a lot. They were very special to me. When I was a little kid, I had an aide who would help me in school. I liked my aides, but I wanted to show them that I would do things on my own so then I didn’t need an aide. I also took the big bus to school like everyone else so I didn’t need to ride on the little bus.

My favorite subject is math, but I like all my classes. I studied life skills with Dr. Murphy-Jessen, though I also got to take chorus, photography and fashion. Ms. Klee has been my speech teacher and she is always helping me. I keep working on my speech because in my business I meet with so many people and speak to big groups. During the last three years, I spent half my day at Huntington High School and half my day at Wilson Tech. This year, I am studying retailing at Wilson Tech. Two days a week, I go into the community and work at stores. I work at Bob’s and Marshalls. And we run the snack shop at Wilson Tech.

I have two big brothers and they played a lot of sports and even played football in college. I wanted to be like them so I play a lot of sports in the Special Olympics. I love the Special Olympics. I play soccer, basketball, floor hockey, track, bowling and snowshoe. I go to practices and we train for the big games and matches. I love going to the State Games. I take the bus with the team and stay in a hotel with the team. I can do that because I am independent and can do things on my own. I have a lot of great coaches in Special Olympics like Coach Mike and Coach Murray in soccer, and Coach Joe and my brothers and Dad who help coach. My favorite coach is Linda Roth who is my snowshoe coach. She is a tough woman, but lots of fun and she gets us to run hard. We train on the beach in the summer when there is no snow and get in shape for our races in the winter.

My brothers Patrick and Jamie have always helped me and my Dad and Mom love me and teach me all the time. They help me do things on my own. I like to be independent and show people what I can do. I have my own room and I take care of that. I bring my laundry to the laundromat. I can make my own food. When we go out, I order my own food and I pay for things. I can walk into town on my own because my parents trust me and I like to do things like everybody else.

I had my first job in a law office for my parents. I would help with the shredding and go to the Post Office. I first went to the Post Office with my Dad and he showed me what to do. Then I went by myself. Two years ago, my parents gave me a contract. I had my responsibilities and I did them every day. I did the shredding and went to the Post Office and cleaned up outside and took care of the recycling. I also did errands like bring checks to people and pick up things at the store. I loved having a job and earning money to pay for things on my own. Last summer, I got a job working in the kitchen at Camp Alvernia. I went to Camp Alvernia when I was a little kid and was happy to go back and work there. I helped put drinks in the refrigerator and get food ready to cook and I cleaned up after the lunches.

Because I turned 21, this is my last year in school. I loved going to school and seeing my teachers and my friends, but I want to be a grown up. I was thinking of a lot of different things after leaving school, but I wanted to go into business with my Dad. Last November, we were talking about my socks because I always liked to wear fun socks. I said we should sell socks and he agreed. That’s how we can up with the idea of John’s Crazy Socks. We wanted to do something fast so we could see if the store would work. I helped pick out socks and my Dad built the website and helped organize the company. We made a Facebook page and I made videos for Facebook. We discussed all the plans and worked hard to make our business a success. We opened our store on Friday, December 9, 2016. And wow, people loved what we did. We sold so many socks that we ran out of socks that weekend. We sent our socks all around the country, though I made home deliveries in the town where I live, Huntington, NY. I loved making the home deliveries and meeting customers and seeing them smile.

Because I love the Special Olympics so much, we decided to give to the Special Olympics. So we give 5 percent of everything we make to the Special Olympics. Since I have Down syndrome, I wanted to do a Down syndrome sock. My Dad and I designed this sock and we give money from it to my old school, ACDS, and to the National Down Syndrome Society. I have a lot of friends with autism, so I wanted to do an autism sock too. So now we have an Autism Awareness Sock and we give money to charity from that sock.

My Dad says I am the face of the business. My face is on the logo. I make videos about our sock store. I meet with the sock makers and help pick out socks. I meet with customers and speak to community groups. I like to give my business card to people and tell them to buy my socks.

Every day I work in my business. I help get the socks to put in orders. I write thank you cards that we put into every package. I help put together the cards and candy that we put in our packages. I bring our packages to the Post Office every day. My Dad jokes that I look like Santa Claus carrying a bag of goodies. And I make local deliveries.

We are growing our business. We have hired people to work with us and some of my classmates from school who have autism work with me now. I keep picking out new socks and we have more socks to sell in our store. We hope to have the world’s largest sock store someday. I also hope to be on the Ellen Show to talk about my business.

I hope you enjoyed reading my story. I get to do a lot and I love running my own business. I could not do it on my own. I got help from my family and my teachers, but I am able to work in my business and show that people with Down Syndrome can work and do many things