First United

FIRST UNITED serves those experiencing poverty and homelessness in Vancouver's #DTES by providing dignity, belonging, and justice.

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

“Climate change isn’t coming, it’s here.”

Today, Amanda Burrows, Executive Director, and Dr. Sarah Marsden, Director of Systems Change and Legal, spoke at City Council in favour of City Staff’s recommendation to give effect to the right to cool. This was a report on the motion put forward by Councillor Lucy Maloney and Councillor Sean Orr back in November.

We’re thankful that Council unanimously voted to amend bylaws so that landlords can no longer restrict tenants from using portable cooling devices. This comes as we’re approaching the 5-year anniversary of the 2021 heat dome in which 117 people in Vancouver died from extreme heat.

This is just the first step for the City when it comes to responding to extreme heat and climate change, but it is a very crucial step. ☀️❄️

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

"Sarah Marsden, [FIRST UNITED Director of Systems Change and Legal], told council that while the 2021 heat dome was unprecedented when it happened, similar events will become increasingly common with climate change. 'Clearly, the next heat dome is not a question of if, but when. And it could be as soon as this month,' Marsden said. https://t.co/01LrYmyarB

[Amanda Burrows @BurrowsAmanda]

A win! Council unanimously supports cooling rights for renters in Vancouver by ensuring landlords can’t ban cooling devices.

Thank you to @Lucyincanada & @seanorr
for your leadership on this and for recognizing @FirstUnitedDTES for our work. This will save lives.

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

"Overdose prevention sites allow people to live long enough to get into our scarce detox and treatment beds. Housed people also use these sites, because they want to live. Too many people think none of their loved ones use drugs. Death from overdose is when they find out differently. The lives that overdose prevention sites save could be lives you care about."

[The Vancouver Sun @VancouverSun]

Letters to the Vancouver Sun: Lives saved by overdose prevention could be lives you care about https://t.co/XGVYDTQ9Jn

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

Last night, @vancolour asked "Will the FIFA World Cup leave Vancouver with a legacy... or just a bill?" Catch the discussion with FIRST UNITED Exec Director @BurrowsAmanda and @Ayan604. Amanda talks about human rights concerns, especially when it comes to our unhoused neighbours.
Watch here: https://t.co/3UV3LDAvFu

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

"When it comes to the unhoused population, people who have their belongings with them ... Is it going to be like other events where we have street sweeps and people shuffled and moved along?" - @BurrowsAmanda on Vancouver's FIFA human rights action plan.

Watch the whole CBC segment: https://t.co/AVYcFsnTlM

#FIFAWorldCup #Vanpoli

[Mo Amir 🪬 @vancolour]

This is VANCOLOUR
Thursday • 9pm
@CHEK_News 📺

It’s our season finale! 🎉

👉 What summer activities could accidentally make you a criminal? ☀️
(@IRPlawyer)

👉 Will the FIFA World Cup leave Vancouver with a legacy… or just a big bill? ⚽️
(@BurrowsAmanda & @Ayan604)

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

"'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."

[Vancouver Is Awesome @VIAwesome]

Where will Vancouver's unhoused population go during the FIFA World Cup? https://t.co/ACN8XZ3SQI

[Amanda Burrows @BurrowsAmanda]

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.

https://t.co/aZdyCHCN8S

[Khelsilem @Khelsilem]

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. 🧵

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

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: https://t.co/awAbVT2viv

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

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 https://t.co/TrK3qIUu8T!

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 https://t.co/TrK3qIUu8T! Auction closes on Monday, May 25 at 11:59pm!

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

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: https://t.co/6KWUoysKxN

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

“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

https://t.co/MNh54kSzEd

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

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! https://t.co/T4nkv4NYaZ

[Global BC @GlobalBC]

Two years after having a proclamation day named after him in the City of Vancouver, Guy Felicella says he is returning the honour.

https://t.co/WjFGoGBZLd

[Amanda Burrows @BurrowsAmanda]

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. https://t.co/3laDf1SOMS

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

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

[First United @FirstUnitedDTES]

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