We Are Bringing This Beloved Program Back and More
Date 25 Mar, 2026
Put yourself in the often-worn-out shoes of our unhoused neighbours in the Downtown Eastside. Living on Vancouver streets means walking and standing in puddles with your feet in a constant state of dampness, never really getting the chance to dry off.
These conditions can cause wounds, itching, painful sores, and cracked skin that can lead to infection. This is a medical condition called trench foot, also known as “street feet” for people experiencing homelessness.
To help bring relief, comfort and dignity, we’re bringing back our Foot Care program once we’ve settled into our new building. And we need your help.
We’re counting down the days until we open the doors of the new FIRST UNITED and there is so much to look forward to. With three times the space, we’re increasing our capacity to meet the growing needs of the neighbourhood.
Our operating budget increased by about 20% this year because of the new programs we’re introducing and the increase in the number of people we’ll be serving in our new building. We need your help today to make sure we can offer everything the community needs and deserves.
This Easter, will you make a gift to help us expand our current programs, start new ones and bring back old ones like Foot Care?
We need to raise $60,000 by April 30th so that we can expand our operations as the demands of the neighbourhood continue to grow. Your gift will help us do this, bringing dignity, belonging and justice to our neighbours in the DTES.
Our Foot Care program models Jesus’ example of washing his disciples’ feet during the Last Supper.
This humble act of love and service is one way we restore dignity to our neighbours in the DTES who rarely get the opportunity to be gently cared for and pampered.
Put yourself back in the shoes of a neighbour who is experiencing homelessness.
Imagine having the chance to sit for the first time all day. Getting out of those uncomfortable wet socks and worn-down shoes. Finally soaking your aching feet in soothing warm water. You smell the calming scent of essential oils…maybe lavender or tea tree oil.
The volunteer who’s helping you gives you a smile and asks your name. Maybe it’s been a while since anyone’s done that. You feel safe to chat. You can be yourself. You don’t feel rushed. You can relax.
When the volunteer dries off your feet with a soft towel, you’re given a thick pair of clean socks to help set you up for the rest of your day.
You feel cared for, heard and seen.
We’re so close to this becoming a reality for our neighbours in the DTES but we need your help to make this happen. This Easter, will you help restore dignity, create environments that foster a sense of belonging, and provide access to justice?
Your gift today will help us welcome back old programs we’ve had to put on hold, expand current programs to serve more people, and create new ones as we adapt to meet the needs of the community.
We’re grateful for your support and couldn’t do this important work without you. More than half our revenue comes from donors like you.
With threats of government cuts to programs in the DTES, we don’t take your generosity for granted. We know that folks like you are the reason we’re able to show up for community every day. We take that to heart.
Very soon, we’ll welcome people from the community into our new building. They’ll be able to access all of our services in one place.
Whether the programs are returning, existing or new, our neighbours will be able to experience dignity, belonging and justice.
And we’ll keep running our programs until we see our vision come to life: a neighbourhood where everyone’s worth is celebrated and all people thrive. Thank you for helping us get that much closer.
Happy Easter!