It’s the first week of the new year and our hearts are filled with gratitude! We’re blown away by how our community has come together, yet again, to make a difference in the Downtown Eastside.

Our Christmas campaign has wrapped and we’re thrilled to share that for our programs and services, our supporters have collectively given an outstanding:

$601,174!

Every dollar given will help provide essential services, community connection, and healing to our neighbours in the DTES. Thank you for contributing to this life-saving and life-changing work!

We’re also delighted to share that our First Forward capital campaign raised over $2.15 million in the past two months, bringing our capital campaign total to over $27.3 million!

Thank you for investing in the future of FIRST UNITED by helping us build a space that embodies dignity, and brings us closer to our vision of a neighbourhood where everyone’s worth is celebrated, and all people thrive.

You also showed up in other ways, too – as advocates for a more equitable society. As of January 5, 513 of you signed our petition asking Mayor Ken Sim to urgently prioritize affordable housing for all. 

Thanks to everyone who took the time to sign the petition and share the link. By coming together, you’ve helped us send a clear message that we need to consider all members of society, especially the most vulnerable, and address one of the most pressing issues facing us today – affordable housing.

Your generosity, compassion, and advocacy are having an ongoing impact and will make lasting change in the DTES.

Thank you for believing in FIRST and the work that we do. We can’t wait to see all that we can accomplish together in 2023.