Archives

COVID-19: A Message from Our Executive Director

March 14, 2020 As we continue to serve the community we love so much, First United is monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic closely.   We are taking steps to manage and respond to the evolving circumstances of the pandemic, while following public health statements issued by all levels of government, including the World Health Organization. Our […]

The Downtown Eastside is our neighbour

Written by Rev. Lauren Sanders (Prairie Band Potawatomi/mshkodéni bodewadminwen, Kickapoo Nation of Kansas/kiikaapoa, African American/Black), Indigenous Spiritual Care Chaplain, for Good Friday The Downtown Eastside is our neighbour. But we often don’t see that reflected in our society or in government policies. This Holy Week, as Christians remember the events that led to the crucifixion […]

A Crisis Within a Crisis

Written by Freya Podlasly, Tāłtān and Nlaka’pamux (First Nation), Community Intern for FIRST UNITED To begin this two-part series, I would like to begin by introducing myself. My name is Freya Podlasly, I am a Tāłtān and Nlaka’pamux (First Nations) youth and a UBC student. The purpose of this is to reflect on recent developments […]

Frontline Services and Advocacy This Easter

A poster from the supportive housing rally that took place outside Vancouver City Hall on Wednesday, February 26. We were at the Vancouver City Council meeting the day they passed the devastating and damaging motion to pause new supportive housing projects in the city. We’ve been doing a lot of advocacy here at FIRST UNITED […]

FIRST UNITED Statement: Supportive Housing Motion Passes

Yesterday, Vancouver City Council voted to pass the motion to pause net-new supportive housing projects within Vancouver. After listening to over 80 speakers, including the FIRST UNITED Executive Director and Board Chair, overwhelmingly voice their opposition, Council chose to move forward with a damaging motion that will exacerbate homelessness and the affordable housing crisis and […]

Coldest Night of the Year 2025 Recap

Coldest Night of the Year 2025 was a massive success! We had our biggest CNOY ever, and it’s thanks to all who walked, fundraised, donated, volunteered and raised awareness for the Downtown Eastside. We’re so thrilled to announce that we ended the night exceeding our goal of $120,000, and as of today, we’ve surpassed $126,000 […]

Thank You Thursday: Fifth Annual Shelter Gala Highlights

We hosted our Fifth Annual GivingTuesday Shelter Gala and it couldn’t have gone any better! In fact, it was the biggest Shelter Gala fundraiser ever! Collectively, you gave: over $89,300! That means we’ve exceeded our Shelter Gala fundraising goal by $14,300!  We couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you! Every dollar […]

FIRST UNITED’s Downtown Eastside Redevelopment Project Launches New Art Initiative and Confirms $1 Million in Support from Audain Foundation

FIRST UNITED formally launches a new art initiative as part of its First Forward capital campaign at a reception hosted by Bruce Wright. Photo by Maxine Bulloch. xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territory/Vancouver, B.C. – Construction of the FIRST UNITED redevelopment project at 320 East Hastings in the Downtown Eastside is approximately […]

Why we kept returning to Oppenheimer Park

Give this Christmas and have your gift matched, doubling your impact in the Downtown Eastside! *Name has been changed to respect the privacy of the individual. We first met Paul* during the Oppenheimer Park decampments in January, when temperatures got to 13 degrees below freezing. He was unhoused and sheltering at the park. We gave […]

This Place for Displaced

When folks come to us for shelter, we want them to feel welcome and that they belong. That was the idea behind commissioning artwork for our shelter— to make it feel more like a home and less like an institution. To achieve this, we commissioned a piece by Downtown Eastside artist Rickie “Sugars” that now […]

Planning for Climate Resiliency

When planning the design of our new building, we couldn’t ignore the current and future effects of climate change, especially considering the impact that we want the building to have in the Downtown Eastside for generations to come. Extreme weather like intense rain and flooding, severe cold snaps, oppressive heat domes, and wildfire smoke poses […]