First United Church Community Ministry Society

Ongoing programs provide essential services that meet basic needs like food shelter clothing and other supports. Lunch is served to the community monday-friday via a mobile food truck and three meals a day are provided to residents staying in the emergency shelter. The shelter includes 51 beds with separate areas for men and women and is trans-inclusive does not require sobriety and accepts well-behaved pets. A case planner assists shelter residents in their transition to long-term housing and other core needs like supporting them in finding medical care id and other resources. The community help desk provides referrals and information to community members and distributes free items like socks gloves toiletries and harm for community members providing a fixed address for those who don't otherwise have one and providing free use of the phone. Legal advocates provide referrals summary advice and representation on legal matters related to tenancy issues income support government applications and disability claims. The tax program provides free tax returns services for anyone who is low-income including seniors students individuals and families and can provide up to 10 years of previous year filings. The spiritual care team provides trauma-informed and culturally safe spiritual care to the community and particularly for indigenous community members. Systems change and law reform work is focused on ending unjust eviction and preventing homelessness across bc.