iHi
Our Community Purpose
We believe that connection is the foundation of a stronger Island. By fostering honest conversation and shared meals, we create a space where men can find their voice and build meaningful relationships without the weight of silence.
Our mission is to help men build mental and emotional fitness through purposeful participation. We invite you to join us in breaking the silence and finding strength in the shared experience of being an Islander.
Founding the Vision
I founded Islanders Helping Islanders because I believe the strength of our Island lies in the connections we build with one another. I wanted to create a place where men could come as they are, share a meal, and speak honestly about how they’re doing.
My friend Anna Howard helped shape that vision. Through her work with Random Acts of Kindness PEI, she showed me how much a simple act of kindness can mean to someone. After we lost Anna in 2017, I wanted to carry that spirit forward in how we look out for one another here on the Island.
The Best Friends Campaign puts that spirit into practice. We call it Breaking Bread to Break the Silence. The invitation is simple. Ask a friend over for supper, put the phones away, and give each other time to talk. Sometimes “How have you been?” gets a different answer when there’s a meal on the table and nobody’s in a hurry.
At iHi, we believe shared meals, honest conversation, and a sense of purpose can help us build a community where men’s mental and emotional fitness is valued as much as their physical health. Our goal is to break the silence and build a stronger PEI, one table at a time.
Darren “Salty” Blanchard
Founder, Islanders Helping Islanders
Darren “Salty” Blanchard — Founder of iHi
How Our Work Is Funded
Islanders Helping Islanders (iHi) is a Canadian nonprofit based on Prince Edward Island. Our focus is men’s mental and emotional well-being. Here on the Island, that work includes making time for one-on-one conversations and helping men find support when they need it.
We Are Smiles Incorporated is the company behind the Best Friends Campaign, Salts of the Earth, PEI Sea Salt, and Pro Beards Club. It manages the products, sales and day-to-day business operations. When you buy a participating product, We Are Smiles Incorporated directs funds from that sale to iHi. Your purchase helps us make time for one-on-one conversations and support men in our community.