First United - Vancouver Downtown Eastside

First United - Vancouver Downtown Eastside FIRST UNITED envisions a neighbourhood where the worth of every person is celebrated and all people thrive. In general, we serve adults with complex needs.

We are a direct service provider to low-income and homeless residents of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. First United Church Community Ministry Society (commonly known as First United) is an inner-city ministry of the United Church of Canada committed at its heart to the struggle for social justice, offering programs of advocacy, housing, and healing in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). We honour the call to seek justice when we meet individual needs, advocate for social change, and provide sanctuary in the heart of the city. First United strives to be a respectful resource to the DTES and to those who are most in need of a welcoming place to be, to find support, and to feel safe. We have been operating in the DTES for over 135 years, and plan to keep our doors open to the neighbourhood as a place to find sanctuary and connection. Our vision is a neighbourhood where every person’s worth is celebrated and all people thrive. Our mission is to seek a just society by nurturing each person’s spirit through ministry, housing, advocacy, and community service. Our values are acceptance, discernment, empathy, accountability, and social justice.

Today is the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Gender-Diverse Peoples. It’s a ...
10/04/2026

Today is the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Gender-Diverse Peoples. It’s a day to honour the lives of those who are missing or have been murdered, continue to spread awareness, and advocate for justice and accountability.

Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people disproportionately experience violence. According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women are 4x more likely to be victims of violence than non-Indigenous women. Indigenous women make up 16% of female homicide victims and 11% of missing women, despite Indigenous people only making up 4.3% of the country's population. (https://afn.ca/rights-justice/murdered-missing-indigenous-women-girls)

On this day National Day of Action, will you join us in taking action? Here are some ways:
• Read the 231 Calls for Justice.
• Write a letter or email to your government official to demand systemic change (referring to the 231 Calls for Justice). Change needs to happen at every level of government. Ask them to take action on not just addressing the violence but also preventing it.
• Support family and loved ones of MMIWG2S+ by sharing their stories, posters, fundraising campaigns, etc.
• Attend a local vigil or memorial to honour and remember those who have gone missing or have been murdered.
• Follow and amplify groups like UBCIC, Moose Hide Campaign, and Native Women’s Association of Canada, who are leading this work.

We wish to inform you that our Executive Director, Amanda Burrows, has announced her candidacy for the Vancouver – Strat...
10/01/2026

We wish to inform you that our Executive Director, Amanda Burrows, has announced her candidacy for the Vancouver – Strathcona riding for the upcoming provincial election on October 24.

Amanda is currently on her pre-planned sabbatical until November 30th. Katie Bricknell Koncan and Rob Vandermey are Acting Co-Executive Directors for the duration of her leave term, regardless of the outcome of the election. Should Amanda be successful in her candidacy, she will resign from her position as ED and the Board of Directors will engage in an executive search process that will begin in the following weeks. The Board of Directors has developed a robust succession plan to prepare the organization for continuity of services and success.

Amanda was hired by the Board of Directors to lead FIRST’s ongoing operations and the completion of our transformational $92 million redevelopment project and to create and implement a new and inspiring strategic plan. During her tenure with FIRST UNITED, she has been invited to consider public office, including to run for Mayor earlier this year. With the new building open and the organization in a place of stability, Amanda views this as the right moment to accept those invitations.
Regardless of the outcome of the provincial election, FIRST UNITED will continue to be guided by Katie and Rob as committed leaders, along with a strong and experienced leadership team, and a dedicated Board, ensuring continued stability and strength through this period.

Read the full announcement here: https://firstunited.ca/news/announcement-from-leadership.

Thank you to University Hill Congregation for choosing FIRST UNITED as the supported charity for September's "Had to Be ...
10/01/2026

Thank you to University Hill Congregation for choosing FIRST UNITED as the supported charity for September's "Had to Be There: Concerts for a Cause." We had the pleasure of attending this past Sunday to enjoy Brazilian music from Coxibamba (Mario Silva and Sangito Bigelow).

We're so grateful for the opportunity to attend and for the support of our work in the Downtown Eastside.

Today, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we invite you to join us in reflection and action.Last week, Rev. L...
09/30/2026

Today, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we invite you to join us in reflection and action.

Last week, Rev. Lauren Sanders, Spiritual Care Manager, set up a Truth and Reconciliation altar for residents of our shelter to engage and reflect:

“For many years, Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities and forced into Residential Schools. Others were separated through Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and ongoing systems that disrupted language, culture, family and belonging.

We remember the children who never came home. We honour Survivors, families, and communities who continue to carry these experiences.

Truth and Reconciliation calls us not only to remember the past, but to ensure that these harms are never repeated, denied, or forgotten.”

Today, will you join us in putting reconciliation into action in one or more of the following ways:
1. Reflect on a question from Rev. Lauren Sanders: “What is needed for a better future? What helps us build a world where every child is valued, every culture is respected, and every community can thrive?" Share your thoughts in the comments. 🧡
2. Attend a local Truth and Reconciliation event. See a list of some events here: firstunited.ca/resources/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-remembrance-and-the-future 🧡
3. Learn and unlearn through the resources provided in our 2026 justice-themed Advent calendar that explores ways to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action 59 and 60. Go to: firstunited.ca/resources/advent-and-christmas-calendar-2026 🧡

In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation tomorrow, FIRST UNITED screened the film Smoke Signal (the first ...
09/30/2026

In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation tomorrow, FIRST UNITED screened the film Smoke Signal (the first feature-length film written, produced and directed by Indigenous Peoples of North America) in our dining hall for community members and staff, complete with delicious frybread. The Spiritual Care team also set up a table in the entryway of our building, with the question: “What did you need when you were a child?”

If you’re still looking for local events to attend, we’ve compiled a short list here: https://firstunited.ca/resources/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-remembrance-and-the-future/

In preparation for the upcoming municipal election, we’ve compiled a list of candidate forums, debates and town halls wh...
09/28/2026

In preparation for the upcoming municipal election, we’ve compiled a list of candidate forums, debates and town halls where you can meet and hear from candidates. This list will be updated periodically.

We encourage you to attend these events and ask candidates questions about important key issues. Check out the list here: https://firstunited.ca/resources/2026-vancouver-municipal-election-events.

Summer is over and we anticipate an increase in visits to our new building, whether it is to hang out and seek shelter f...
09/25/2026

Summer is over and we anticipate an increase in visits to our new building, whether it is to hang out and seek shelter from the rain or to use any of our services. We’ve got the space to welcome people in, but our services don’t happen without you.

Will you chip in to help make an impact in the Downtown Eastside and give $25, or whatever you can, to chip in today? As the weather gets colder and wetter, and more people come to us for support, we need your help to meet the community’s needs. Make a gift at https://firstunited.ca/donate-now/one-time.

Your gift will help us buy:
• raincoats, panchos, umbrellas, socks and underwear;
• toiletries like deodorant, shampoo, soap, and toothbrushes;
• envelopes and postage for our Mail Program; and
• much more to ensure the community has everything they need and deserve.

It’s the last chance to make a gift before our fiscal year ends on September 30. We need to raise $15,000 by then. Chip in today to help ensure we're ready to support the DTES community this fall! Give at https://firstunited.ca/donate-now/one-time.

We’ve outlined our priorities for the upcoming municipal election on October 17. The key issues we see show up every day...
09/22/2026

We’ve outlined our priorities for the upcoming municipal election on October 17. The key issues we see show up every day in our work are:
• Zoning and housing
• Harm reduction and saving lives

We encourage you to attend candidate forums, debates and events and ask candidates about these issues.

For more info, including a list of upcoming events where you can ask candidates questions, go to https://firstunited.ca/resources/vote-in-the-upcoming-vancouver-municipal-election.

The upcoming municipal election is on October 17, 2026. As a respected leader and community advocate in the Downtown Eas...
09/19/2026

The upcoming municipal election is on October 17, 2026. As a respected leader and community advocate in the Downtown Eastside, we’re mobilizing communities to engage in the election.

We encourage our supporters, allies, and communities to attend candidate forums, debates and events and query candidates about zoning and housing issues, and harm reduction and saving lives.

We’ve put together a list of questions that you can ask candidates when you attend these events. To view our positions, policy endorsements and a list of upcoming events, go to https://firstunited.ca/resources/vote-in-the-upcoming-vancouver-municipal-election.

Address

320 Hastings Street East
Vancouver, BC
V6A1P4

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

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