Melrose Nonprofit Celebrates 10 Years of Free Tech Education

Ten years ago, Kristin Thorp opened the doors to a small storefront on Main Street with a mission: make technology welcoming for everyone, just like her late colleague Stuart D. McIntosh believed it should be. Today, the SDM Foundation she created in his honor has become a lifeline for Melrose residents who want to connect with loved ones, learn new skills, or simply figure out their smartphones without feeling left behind.

The nonprofit officially marked its anniversary this month with Mayor Jen Grigoraitis celebrating their impact. "Thank you for a decade of providing free tech education, along with empowerment and connectivity, to Melrose," the mayor said.

McIntosh passed away in 2015, but his vision that technology should be accessible regardless of age or experience lives on through every workshop, every one-on-one session, and every resident who walks through the foundation's doors. Thorp established the organization in July 2016 to carry that torch forward.

The foundation has grown significantly since those early days. In 2021, it moved to a larger space at 406 Main Street, allowing staff and volunteers to reach more people with workshops on everything from video conferencing to online safety.

The numbers tell an impressive story. In 2025 alone, the foundation assisted more than 1,000 individuals through over 4,000 appointment hours. Volunteers help residents navigate smartphones, computers, and email while offering youth STEM and coding programs to inspire the next generation.

The Ripple Effect

What started as one person's dedication to honoring a friend has created waves throughout the entire community. Every senior who learns to video chat with grandchildren, every job seeker who masters online applications, and every young person who discovers coding represents a connection made and an opportunity unlocked.

The foundation doesn't just teach technology. It bridges the gap between people and the increasingly digital world they live in, ensuring no one gets left behind simply because they don't know where to start.

As the SDM Foundation enters its second decade, it plans to expand its free educational programming even further. The organization has built an online library of resources and educational videos so residents can learn at their own pace, whenever they need help.

For Melrose, this milestone represents something bigger than just a nonprofit anniversary: it's proof that one person's compassion can spark a decade of connection and counting.

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