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.
Move First Forward
Buy a Brick
When you buy a symbolic brick for $50, you’ll help inspire healing and possibility in the neighbourhood and put reconciliation into action.
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.
View all Programs
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
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 […]
Attend an Event
Join us for virtual and in-person events to learn more about FIRST and connect with our community.