72, on a pension, and facing eviction
Imagine being 72, on a pension, and suddenly being evicted from your home of 11 years. What would you do? As part of our eviction-mapping project, we recently spoke to a woman on Vancouver Island who was exactly in that position: “It’s been horrible. I’ve never had to do this before. I’ve been here for 11 years. […]
Important Upcoming Dates
It’s finally here! After years of planning and weeks of meetings, inspections, and renovations, we’re prepared to begin demolition on our building at 320 East Hastings Street. On May 24th, staff will clear out of the building for the last time as crews enter to begin their remediation work. It’s with a mix of emotions […]
Red Dress Day
May 5 is Red Dress Day: a day when we honour, remember, and grieve the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit, who were taken from us too soon. The pain from the epidemic of MMIWG2S is felt particularly in the Downtown Eastside and amongst our staff, partners, and community. This year, as an […]
Happy Easter
An Easter greeting from our Acting Executive Director, Amanda Burrows I hope you and your family are enjoying an Easter full of rest, love and reflection. Two weeks ago, I stepped into the role of Acting Executive Director as Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne started her sabbatical. It is an immense honour and privilege to guide […]
Good Friday, from Lauren Sanders
Lenten greetings, Good Friday is the day followers of Christ remember the events leading up to Jesus’s death.We remember the good,the bad,and the ugly on Good Friday. During this pandemic, we all have known so much death, sadness, and fear. These are parts of every living being’s life, but the impacts feel deeply personal, isolating, and without […]
Working to heal
Except for my Lenten Season Series, I don’t usually address the public in FIRST’s communications. I’m the Indigenous Spiritual Care Chaplain at FIRST UNITED. I mostly work with community members and the people that FIRST serves. But with it being the Lenten Season and with Easter coming up, I thought it was important to talk […]
Carmen Lansdowne’s Upcoming Sabbatical
From March 28 through July 15, Executive Director Carmen Lansdowne will be on sabbatical for a three-month period. FIRST UNITED’s personnel policy allows for permanent leadership staff to take sabbatical after serving for five years, in line with the United Church’s policies for ministry staff. During her time away, Carmen will be taking a virtual […]
Imagine Canada Accreditation
We’re proud to announce that we’ve recently been accredited under Imagine Canada’s Standard Program. Imagine Canada is a national charity whose cause is Canada’s charities. Through their advocacy efforts, research and social enterprises, they help strengthen charities, nonprofits, and social entrepreneurs so they can better fulfill their missions. The Standards Program involves a rigorous review […]
Coldest Night of the Year 2022 Recap
What a day! Ready to go! Almost there! We can do it! These were the words we kept hearing as we checked in the 140 Coldest Night of the Year participants who came out to fundraise and walk across Vancouver in support of our mission to provide advocacy, survival-supports, and sanctuary in the heart of […]
Volunteer Call Out: Spring Cleaning
We’re in need of volunteers for two upcoming shifts on March 24 and 25, and we would love for you to join us! DESCRIPTION Every spring our sister organization, First United Church Social Housing Society, helps tenants get rid of unwanted items in their units. Volunteers will help tenants by bringing the unwanted items down […]