Our Vision 

A neighbourhood where everyone’s worth is celebrated and all people thrive.

Our Mission

First United honours the call to seek justice when we meet individual needs, advocate for social change, and provide sanctuary in the heart of the city.

About First United 

First United runs an emergency shelter and support services in Vancouver’s Downtown East side for people who live in extreme poverty. Many of our clients often also face the overlapping challenges of mental health and addictions issues and other individual barriers to stable day-to-day living.

How we build better futures through essential services, community connection, and healing.

Essential Services

Food Security

Feeding up to 200 community members a day, our meal program provides nutritious and delicious community meals to fuel the body and foster connection.

Community Help Desk

Community members can access the supports they need, from crisis response to free basic personal hygiene and emergency care items.

Showers and Washrooms

Access to safe, hygienic washroom and bathing facilities is a basic human dignity that too many in our community are denied. [on hold due to COVID-19]

Safe Shelter

We provide 60 low-barrier emergency shelter beds to those who don’t have anywhere else to stay. Our shelter is trans-inclusive, has a women-only space, and welcomes pets as well as people in active addiction.

Community Connection

Community Drop In

A welcoming space where community members can find acceptance, connect with each other, participate in social activities, or just sit quietly with a cup of tea. [on hold due to COVID-19]

Mail and Phone Program

Our Keep Connected program offers mail and phone services that help people maintain connections with friends and family, and access to other critical services that commonly require a fixed address.

Tax Program

By processing tax returns for low-income individuals, couples, and families we help people access vital benefits related to housing, pensions, and other assistance programs that require a filed tax return.

Legal Advocacy

We provide dignified and accessible legal support for low-income individuals facing tenancy, social assistance, and other legal issues, ensuring they too have access to justice.

Healing

Community Ministry

We’re affirming and welcoming of all, from any faith or none. Community ministry focuses on providing trauma-informed and culturally-safe spiritual care informed by social justice, particularly for Indigenous community members.

Foot Care

One of our longest-running programs to provide care for community members’ feet, this simple act of relaxation and self-care improves health and offers a sense of dignity to those struggling with poverty [on hold due to COVID-19]