Thank you, BC Housing
We’re grateful to recognize BC Housing as our Lead Sponsor for Coldest Night of the Year. BC Housing’s mission is to make a positive difference in people’s lives and communities through safe, affordable and quality housing. They do this by working to address critical gaps across the housing continuum, which range from emergency shelters, supportive […]
Carmen Lansdowne Nominated for Moderator
We’re honoured to be able to announce that Executive Director, The Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, has been nominated as a candidate for Moderator of the United Church of Canada’s this year’s 44th General Council. The Moderator is responsible for giving spiritual leadership to all in the United Church of Canada, chairing meetings of the General […]
Black Excellence Day
Guest post by Stephanie Kallstrom, Case Planner, FIRST UNITED On this day of January 14th, 2022 (on January 15th each year or on the preceding Friday if it falls on a weekend or holiday) marks the first year that the province of British Columbia has proclaimed ‘Black Excellence Day’! It is to celebrate the outstanding […]
‘You Give, We Build’ Continues!
After the great success that the ‘you give, we build’ project had with filling orders during the holiday season, amateur carpenters and long-time supporters Don Robertson and Ross White decided to carry on their project into 2022! Under the name 1/2 Inch Either Way Carpenters, this dynamic duo are taking orders to build furniture and home […]
1 Million Reasons to say Thank You
We have some truly outstanding news to share with you: over the past six weeks, we ran two parallel campaigns for critically-needed donations: we had to raise $450,000 for our ongoing programs and services, and $500,000 for the redevelopment of our new building. It was an ambitious undertaking, but one that we felt optimistic about because our community […]
Merry Christmas From All of Us
Dearest Friends, We at First United Church Community Ministry Society would like to wish you all happy holidays! From November until January there are a number of holidays our community celebrates, and Christmas is just one of those. Some of the holidays, starting from November, are : Diwali, Birth of the Báb, American Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, […]
Mary’s Story: Cancer, Job Loss, Homelessness and A Pandemic
You might have preconceived notions of how a person ends up living in a homeless shelter. The truth is, no one chooses to be homeless. And the people who are experiencing this – they don’t want to be there. They want to go home. Be home. Have a home. And no one thinks one day, […]
Our Second #GivingTuesday Shelter Gala
Our second #GivingTuesday Shelter Gala was an incredible evening of joy and sharing. We are excited to share with you, we received over $40,200 in donations toward our mission of providing direct support and advocacy to our neighbours in the Downtown Eastside! We feted our shelter residents with an outstanding meal, shared messages of solidarity and […]
First Forward Building Connections Campaign
“When you’re out on the streets, you know … it’s cold. Wet. You’re dirty. You wander the streets day and night just to try to stay warm. You feel like you’re useless. You’re worthless.” That’s what Angelo, a member of our community, said when he reflected on the three years that he, his wife Sandy, […]
Michelle’s Story: Her Road to Recovery, Healing, and Home
“I don’t think you had the best life, but I think you have a much better life now.” This is what Michelle’s loved one said when she showed him where she used to live in Stanley Park. Michelle is resilient. She’s originally from Fort St. John, and she’s back there now. But for 9 years […]