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We Are

FIRST UNITED

For over 135 years, we’ve been on a mission to seek a just society by nurturing each person’s spirit through ministry, housing, advocacy, and community service.

How We Help

We seek a just society by nurturing each person’s spirit through community services, housing, advocacy, and ministry in the face of the often-intersecting challenges of extreme poverty, historical and personal trauma, mental illness, and oppression in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

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How You Help

Be a part of building better futures through our Community Giving Program, volunteering, attending an event, or subscribing to our newsletter. However you choose to get involved, you can help us remain agile and responsive and meet the most pressing needs of our time.

How You Can Help

A Sanctuary Within our Community

We are on the frontlines

We operate from a harm reduction perspective to meet our community’s needs and provide essential services, connection and healing. As a low barrier service provider, we welcome and affirm every individual from all walks of life without exception.
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Our Work

We’re building better futures by responding to the most pressing needs of our community: providing essential services, connection, and healing. We provide direct support to our neighbours in the Downtown Eastside and advocate for compassion, dignity, and justice for the community.

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Stay in Touch

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Latest news

Thank You Thursday: Fifth Annual Shelter Gala Highlights

Date 5 Dec, 2024

Category Blog

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

Date 15 Nov, 2024

Category First Forward, Redevelopment

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

Date 6 Nov, 2024

Category Blog

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 […]

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Join us for virtual and in-person events to learn more about FIRST and connect with our community.