We're on the frontlines

Providing essential services, community connection, and healing.

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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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Latest news

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Date 29 Sep, 2023

Category Uncategorized

Tomorrow is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and we invite you to join us in both reflection and action for reconciliation. Three years on from the first marking of this day, unmarked graves continue to be discovered, and long-told stories and truths are validated. Validation though formal investigations should not be necessary. Survivors should […]

Streaming for Overdose Awareness

Date 16 Aug, 2023

Category Blog, Events

No matter where in the world you are, chances are there are people in your community dying of overdose from a toxic drug supply. August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), an annual day of action for our neighbours, family, friends and community members who have been lost to and impacted by the overdose […]

Leadership Updates From FIRST UNITED

Date 9 Aug, 2023

Category Blog

The Board of Directors of FIRST UNITED Church Community Ministry Society is excited to announce two significant and positive shifts in leadership. First, that The Right Reverend Dr. Carmen Lansdowne has been offered a position as Assistant Professor of United Church Studies at Emmanuel College, of Victoria University in the University of Toronto, which will […]

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