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.
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.
Moving
First Forward
Demand for our services has outgrown our space at 320 East Hastings.
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
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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Latest news
Carmen Lansdowne is the Uncontested Nominee for 44th Moderator
Date 25 Jun, 2022
Category Blog
History repeats itself at the General Council 44. For the second time in the United Church of Canada, the election for Moderator has gone uncontested (the first time it happened was during the 34th General Council in the early 1990s). We are so proud that First United’s Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, is […]
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Date 21 Jun, 2022
Category Blog
Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day! It’s a day for all Canadians to celebrate the rich cultures and diversity of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. We’re dedicated to learning about the unique history, languages, and experiences of these Indigenous cultures, and encourage you to do the same. In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day […]
Juneteenth
Date 19 Jun, 2022
Category Blog
Social justice is one of First United’s core values. We’re committed to combatting the oppression and marginalization of racialized folks. As an organization that serves a diverse community and has a large portion of staff that identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of colour), we know that racism is very much still present and […]
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Join us for virtual and in-person events to learn more about FIRST and connect with our community.