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Guest post by Stephanie Kallstrom, Case Planner, FIRST UNITED On this day of January 14th, 2022 (on January 15th each year or on the preceding Friday if it falls on a weekend or holiday) marks the first year that the province of British Columbia has proclaimed ‘Black Excellence Day’! It is to celebrate the outstanding […]

After the great success that the ‘you give, we build’ project had with filling orders during the holiday season, amateur carpenters and long-time supporters Don Robertson and Ross White decided to carry on their project into 2022! Under the name 1/2 Inch Either Way Carpenters, this dynamic duo are taking orders to build furniture and home […]

We have some truly outstanding news to share with you: over the past six weeks, we ran two parallel campaigns for critically-needed donations: we had to raise $450,000 for our ongoing programs and services, and $500,000 for the redevelopment of our new building. It was an ambitious undertaking, but one that we felt optimistic about because our community […]

Dearest Friends, We at First United Church Community Ministry Society would like to wish you all happy holidays! From November until January there are a number of holidays our community celebrates, and Christmas is just one of those. Some of the holidays, starting from November, are : Diwali, Birth of the Báb, American Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, […]

You might have preconceived notions of how a person ends up living in a homeless shelter. The truth is, no one chooses to be homeless. And the people who are experiencing this – they don’t want to be there. They want to go home. Be home. Have a home. And no one thinks one day, […]

Our second #GivingTuesday Shelter Gala was an incredible evening of joy and sharing.  We are excited to share with you, we received over $40,200 in donations toward our mission of providing direct support and advocacy to our neighbours in the Downtown Eastside! We feted our shelter residents with an outstanding meal, shared messages of solidarity and […]

“When you’re out on the streets, you know … it’s cold. Wet. You’re dirty. You wander the streets day and night just to try to stay warm. You feel like you’re useless. You’re worthless.” That’s what Angelo, a member of our community, said when he reflected on the three years that he, his wife Sandy, […]

“I don’t think you had the best life, but I think you have a much better life now.” This is what Michelle’s loved one said when she showed him where she used to live in Stanley Park. Michelle is resilient. She’s originally from Fort St. John, and she’s back there now. But for 9 years […]

Sharing exciting updates on what’s next for FIRST! Check out our latest newsletter on our redevelopment plans and our brand new food truck. Don’t forget to sign up for upcoming Toast Talks! First United Fall Newsletter – Digital

Don Robertson and Ross White are supporting FIRST through a fun and creative third-party fundraiser!