“An event like FIFA doesn’t feel inviting for people like us; it would have really been nice if the city sent some of that money back into the neighbourhood for something like better housing.”

On Monday, June 1st, we had the honour of ringing in the next chapter of FIRST UNITED with 200 of you in our new building at 320 East Hastings! It was a day of celebration and gratitude as we looked around the new dining hall where we were gathered and saw the faces of so many people who played a role in bringing this building to life. The day started with an intimate and powerful ceremony at the Hastings entrance of our building to unveil and bless the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh artists and the beautiful artworks they contributed to the building. Artists from each Host Nation were present with their families. Thank you to HOST Consulting for their work in organizing the ceremony. We also announced that we officially reached and surpassed our $39 million fundraising goal! We couldn’t have done it without the collective support and generosity of so many of you. Thank you! We look forward to opening the building to the Downtown Eastside community. Stay tuned for more info soon!

"B.C. seniors advocate Dan Levitt says seniors like Tang, unfamiliar with English or Canadian systems, face 'double jeopardy or triple jeopardy.' Levitt says Tang’s case highlights an urgent need to expand long-term care, and seniors’ affordable housing options."

“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. ☀️❄️

"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. vancouversun.com/news/local-…

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.

"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."

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: youtube.com/watch?v=ZtU069dI…

"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: youtube.com/watch?v=I0GNy-3D… #FIFAWorldCup #Vanpoli

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)

"'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-matchi…

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/firstunited20…! 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/firstunited20…! 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/…

“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/british-c…

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/FIRSTUNITED20…

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/…