Like many people experiencing homelessness, Plymouth resident Gregg J. had lost touch with friends and family. For many years, they didn’t know where he was or how he was doing. And for all those years, he wondered the same about them.

 

With the help of Marty, a longtime computer volunteer at Plymouth, Gregg used Facebook in his building’s computer lab to find and reconnect with his loved ones.

 

Gregg says, “I’m in awe of all the people eager to come back into my life and overwhelmed with joy every time I hear from my family. I haven’t seen some of them since they were young. I’m ecstatic. Speechless. Now I just wish I could see everyone in person.”

 

Marty was just as happy. “It warmed my heart today to help Gregg with Facebook. He had 68 new messages!” One of those, posted by his now-grown daughter, was the photo at right, showing Gregg holding her when she was a little girl.

 

Seattle company Cascadelink donated high-speed internet access for two of Plymouth’s buildings and is exploring ways to do even more.

 

According to CEO Chris Flugstad, “Everyone at Cascadelink is overjoyed by Gregg’s story and honored to be part of it. Our goal is to raise the internet standard for everyone in our community, so we jumped at the chance to provide tools to help Plymouth residents grow and thrive.”