Bed-Stuy Neighbors Are Trading Skills Without Money

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, NY—On a block in Bed-Stuy, a haircut might come from a neighbor who needs help building a website.

A repaired jacket might lead to a new friendship.

A home-cooked meal might be exchanged for a skill someone has spent years developing.

For Bed-Stuy resident Jonathan Sims, those kinds of exchanges are not a new idea. They are the foundation of how he grew up.

Sims was raised in Alabama, where neighbors traded time, labor and skills as part of everyday life. He remembers cutting grass for people in his community and receiving home-cooked meals in return.

When he moved to New York, he found a city filled with people carrying different talents, interests and ambitions— but fewer opportunities to share them outside traditional financial systems.

That realization eventually became Reciproc8, a community barter network designed to help neighbors exchange skills, services and items without money changing hands.

The idea came from Sims’ own experiences outside of work.

While pursuing a promotion as a software engineer, Sims said he was given a project that would have required several engineers to complete. At the same time, he continued making time for his passions, including Muay Thai, chess and recreational sports.

While training in Muay Thai, a combat sport originating from Thailand, he built relationships with people who learned about his technology background and began seeking his expertise for website development and coding support.

In return, they helped him improve his training.

At chess meetups, people asked him for fitness advice, and he exchanged that knowledge for lessons on strategy.

“I realized that we all, as people, have something of value to share with other people in community,” Sims said. “I just want to build a platform in order to bring that forth.”

How Does Reciproc8 Work?

Reciproc8 allows neighbors to list what they can offer and what they need, then connects people whose skills and requests match.

They can also request something they need, such as help with a resume, learning an instrument or finding a workout partner.

The platform then matches neighbors based on shared needs and offers.

The goal is not to replace money, Sims said.

Instead, he sees Reciproc8 as a way to reduce some everyday expenses while helping people build relationships.

“We're not looking to replace the absolute needs that you need in order to survive in New York City, like rent, medical bills, groceries,” Sims said. “But we want to free up the other hobbies or services that you need, so that that isn't too much of a burden.”

Can A Website Help Neighbors Know Each Other Again?

Sims launched Reciproc8 after seeing how naturally people exchanged support in his own communities.

One example came from a Black-owned business group on WhatsApp.

A woman looking for technology help needed a website built for her business. Sims volunteered his skills.

After helping create the site, her business grew, and she offered something in return: managing his administrative work for the same amount of time he spent building her website.

The exchange lasted three months.

Now, Sims is working to bring those interactions beyond personal networks and into Bed-Stuy.

He lives near Malcolm X Boulevard and said the neighborhood’s existing connections helped shape the project.

“I’m able to put a name to the faces that I see walking on Halsey, walking on Decatur,” Sims said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

His vision is a neighborhood where residents recognize each other not just as strangers passing on the sidewalk, but as people who have helped one another.

“I want to get back to that,” Sims said. “Knowing who your next door neighbor is, knowing who the person down the street is.”

What Is Happening Next In Bed-Stuy?

Reciproc8 is expanding its community events alongside its app.

The organization recently hosted an event that raised $1,500 for neighbors affected by SNAP benefit cuts and included a clothing swap, with remaining clothing donated.

Every Friday, the project is organizing Restor8, a free repair café where residents can bring worn clothing and community members can mend basic textiles.

Participants can later pick up their repaired items at no cost.

On Aug. 8, another upcoming event will focus on community connection through play: a block-wide scavenger hunt built around the theme “joy as resistance” as part of the STooPS Summer Festival on Decatur Street.

The goal is to connect digital tools with face-to-face relationships.

“We're really trying to build out with the platform,” Sims said. “People were going around sharing stories. They were connecting. They were sharing social media in order to keep in touch.”

Although the Reciproc8 app allows people to create accounts and find exchanges, Sims said the project is focusing on building trust offline first.

The platform has already attracted about 100 users, but Sims said relationships remain the foundation.

A neighbor’s skill, experience or time can become something another neighbor needs— and the exchange can become something priceless.

Learn more about Reciproc8 here.

Getting Started With Reciproc8

1. Share what you have
Users list skills, services or items they can offer.

2. Share what you need
Users explain what they are looking for.

3. Find a match
The platform connects neighbors whose needs and offers align.

4. Make the exchange
Neighbors decide what works, whether in person or remotely.

5. Build trust
Participants confirm exchanges and leave reviews.

What Can People Exchange?

Reciproc8 is designed for everyday skills and resources, including:

• Learning a language
• Cooking help
• Fitness guidance
• Technology support
• Repairs
• Creative services
• Household items
• Community assistance