Totem Pole Ceremony: Carved with Courage, Moved with Care

First United’s totem pole moved to a new location before demolition In our parking garage at 320 East Hastings, a team of Indigenous carvers worked under cover. From the 12-foot log in front of them, shipped from Haida Gwaii, the image of the thunderbird, the killer whale, the mighty bear, and grandmother moon emerged. Many […]

Construction Update: Demolition Begins!

We’re excited to announce that the demolition of our building at 320 East Hastings is now officially underway!   This spring, our remaining staff, programs and services were moved to satellite locations in the Downtown Eastside. Last week, shelter residents were relocated to our newly renovated, state-of-the-art shelter on Alexander Street and by Thursday afternoon, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

Fundraising for Homelessness Action Week

As Thanksgiving approaches, we reflect on the things we are grateful for in the past year – family, good food, good health (COVID-19 vaccinations!!!), a warm house and what’s good about our world.  This year, Thanksgiving overlaps with another event, one that hits very close to home for us: Homelessness Action Week – from October 10 to 17. We […]

I’m a senior survivor

You could say I’ve had a rough go of it. I was in prison for thirty years. I was never violent or anything…I’d robbed banks, and I paid for it. Three years ago, I got out. Well, when they let you out after 30 years inside, you don’t really have anywhere to go. You’re on […]

“Lucky 13th” Annual Golf Tournament for the Homeless – Cancelled

Tournament Update – April 8, 2020 In light of COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Golf Tournament for the Homeless. As we face this challenge and associated additional costs, we are asking our community of golfers for support. If your circumstances allow, please consider a donation: You may donate online […]