First United

"'Who do we call? Where do we go? Will we see increases? Who are these service providers helping? Is there going to be extra social services and access available?' @BurrowsAmanda also wishes the discussions around the world event could have created better infrastructure for vulnerable people, such as public washrooms and more affordable housing."

As Vancouver prepares for FIFA, the Human Rights Action Plan is finally released. The real test won’t only be the language in the plan. It will be implementation and what unhoused residents actually experience on the ground. globalnews.ca/video/11863032…

I need to talk about Sen̓áḵw. This word has been in the news for years, and I still hear it mispronounced constantly—by journalists, politicians, and well-meaning people who just haven't been shown how. It's a word from the Squamish Language. Let me walk you through it. 🧵

All donations will be matched up to $35k from now until 11:59pm on Monday, May 25th! In honour of our 19th Annual FIRST UNITED Golf Tournament, generous donors have stepped forward to match all gifts to our programs and services. Whatever you give will be matched and your impact will go twice as far in the Downtown Eastside! Give now and have your gift matched: firstunited.ca/golf26-matching

Have you taken a look at our online auction page? A few items have already sold! Put in a bid on your desired item at 32auctions.com/firstunited2026! Our online auction is part of our 19th Annual FIRST UNITED Golf Tournament, which is an integral part of our annual fundraising. Proceeds from the auction will support our programs and services, providing dignity, belonging and justice to our neighbours in the Downtown Eastside. This year our goal is to raise $20,000 through our auction. Place your bids now at 32auctions.com/firstunited2026! Auction closes on Monday, May 25 at 11:59pm!

Our friends at Women Transforming Cities’ (WTC) want to know what you need from your next city council. If you live, work, study, or access services in Vancouver, take the Our City Hall Survey and share it with your communities. Responses directly inform the policy asks WTC puts to mayor and council candidates in the upcoming election.⁠ ⁠ Complete the survey by the 4th of the month to be eligible for a monthly draw for a $100 Visa gift card. ⁠ Take the survey here: womentransformingcities.org/ourcityhall

“A lot of people [in the DTES] have health issues, it's a vulnerable community. There are a lot of seniors and a lot of people don't have cars or other ways to get around. They really do rely on transit... From an equity perspective, there is a need for the Downtown Eastside to have more stops, not less.” - @BurrowsAmanda cbc.ca/news/canada/br…

Have you had a chance to look through our auction items and experiences? Put a bid in now and see if you'll win a good deal. Funds will provide crucial services for the Downtown Eastside! 32auctions.com/FIRSTUNITED2026

Two years after having a proclamation day named after him in the City of Vancouver, Guy Felicella says he is returning the honour. globalnews.ca/news/11838142/…

The DTES is blamed for concentrating care while other neighbourhoods fight to stop it. Where are people supposed to go? Overdose prevention sites do exactly that, prevent overdoses. The city blocking them increases harm & stigma and can lead to death. vancouversun.com/news/overdose-…

Red dresses hang from the windows of our locations as a visual reminder of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit folks. This injustice is very present and ongoing as Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people disproportionately experience racialized and gendered violence, not just in the Downtown Eastside but across Turtle Island. We stand with families and loved ones who have been neglected, dismissed and denied any form of justice. We grieve with them. #RedDressDay #MMIWG2S

Red Dress Day is tomorrow and we encourage you to take action. Here are two events in Vancouver that will take place on the day: 1)Indigenous Women Rise is hosting an event at Grandview Park from 2pm-4pm. 2)Butterflies in Spirit is hosting a Documentary Screening of ASI BUSCAMOS ASI AMAMOS (This is How We Search, This is How We Love), including a panel discussion, reception and Q&A. The event starts at 3pm (documentary screen starts at 6pm) and takes place at the SFU Woodwards Building (see event graphic for more information). #MMIWG2S #RedDressDay

"In this community, the first thing that comes to my mind is the heat dome of 2021. We can all remember where we were…. I was on the front lines with colleagues trying to keep people cool, and [I just really] fear that this summer is going to be even hotter" @BurrowsAmanda cbc.ca/news/canada/br…

Was on Stephen Quinn talking Vancouver cancellation of cooling kits and why pulling back supports as extreme heat increases is a bad call. We need long term climate solutions and we also need immediate tools that keep people safe. Cooling kits matter. cbc.ca/listen/live-ra…

“Hearing about programs like cooling kits being rolled back when we know we need more, not less, of this type of support for extreme heat is incredibly alarming.” @BurrowsAmanda spoke on the Early Edition with Stephen Quinn about upcoming heat in the forecast, how it impacts vulnerable residents, and how important climate resiliency solutions are to ensure we prevent deaths and keep people safe. cbc.ca/listen/live-ra…

“I expected the plan to include clear commitments around preventing sweeps, expanding low-barrier spaces and ensuring people have accessible ways to report rights concerns in real time" - @BurrowsAmanda playthegame.org/news/fifa-s-pe…

We’re entering a new era at FIRST UNITED and we need your help to start strong. In June, we’ll be moving into our new building where we’ll be able to grow our programs to serve more people in the Downtown Eastside. We can’t wait, but we need to reach our $60,000 goal by April 30th (that’s tomorrow!) to make this happen. Will you contribute and give $25 today? You’ll help us meet the needs of our neighbours in the DTES when we finally operate out of our new building. You can make a gift here: firstunited.ca/donate-now/one…

Proud of this partnership to end no pet clauses in BC rentals. People are being forced into impossible choices between housing and their pet. Lift the ban! (Note: our recommendation is for buildings with five or more rental units. Condo or homeowner? This wouldn’t impact you.)

What we're proposing is balanced and driven by evidence because we did the research. Did you know that in 82% of RTB cases, pet deposits covered the cost of damage by pets?