'Who's Your Brother' Aims to Build Brotherly Relationships

Wade Redcross says the idea for "Who’s Your Brother" came to him in a dream.

“It was Christmas 2009 . . . I wrote the idea down, and began programming the site the next day,” he said.

Redcross, of Sewickley, spent the next year developing the website from scratch -- the concept, the functionality, everything. But programming the site wasn’t the only difficult part.

“I also had no idea what the future of it would be," he said. "Many times I asked myself, ‘Am I on the right track?’ ”

Still, Redcross stayed on that track and launched the site Nov. 8. Since then, hundreds of people have joined "Who’s Your Brother," an online community that connects people with needs and people who are able to meet those needs.

But Wade wants "Who’s Your Brother" to be more than that.

“I created 'Who’s Your Brother' to build a community where people could connect and relate to one another regardless of all distinctions that normally cause separation -- ethnicity, class, socioeconomic status . . . things that often become the reasons why people don’t connect with one another.”

Candice Wormsley assists with signing people up for "Who’s Your Brother," and has helped several people meet their needs. She also has enlisted the help of her brother, Andy Wormsley. Together, they have delivered items to people on the "Who’s Your Brother" website.

They have done what Redcross intended to do -- allow people to give freely without expecting anything in return. He hopes that "Who’s Your Brother" will inspire this kind of giving to evolve  naturally.

“I want the spirit of 'Who’s Your Brother' to be everywhere more than I want 'Who’s Your Brother' to be everywhere,” he said.

People can freely post needs and others can offer to lend a hand. Although many of the needs posted on the website are for material items: groceries, clothing, baby items and electronics, some needs are for services such as babysitting or help around the house for someone who’s sick. One of those posts became one of Candice Wormsley’s favorite WYB success stories.

“There was a couple who was in desperate need of a babysitter because their normal one canceled. A young lady saw that need posted on the site. She spoke with them, and babysat that night free of charge," Wormsley said. "It was really great that they were able to trust each other."

On their website, "Who's Your Brother's" officials acknowledge that some would-be participants may have concerns about safely divulging information about themselves. The company notes when it has been able to verify the identity and other information about people who've posted, and it has taken other steps aimed at protecting participants and at creating a "safe online environment," according to its website.

"Who’s Your Brother" has begun getting sponsorship from businesses. If people meet needs on the site, they can receive discounts from businesses that participate with "Who’s Your Brother."

But Redcross wants WYB to stay as close to his original intent as possible.

“We want to connect people with people without corporations interfering or acting as the mediary,” he said.

As the site membership grows, so does the need for individuals to assist with connecting people. Volunteer support people help new members navigate the site and make the most out of the WYB experience. They also help promote WYB in the community.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about Who’s Your Brother can log on to www.whosyourbrother.com.