File

This file documents the means by which the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) disseminated and promoted its principles, mission, objectives and fundraising and community support activities to interest groups and the public at large. It is composed of official publications, brochures, flyers, handbills and newsletters published by the Canadian and American national federations and by the Montreal and Toronto local associations. Two publications concern the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), the women's branch of the Y.

Several documents chronicle the Y's role during the First World War, focussing primarily on its activities to support soldiers: canteen services, promotion of physical fitness, shows, and social and cultural activities. The publication entitled Blue Triangle Y.W.C.A. Hostess Houses describes the places that were set up near Canadian military training camps to accommodate wives and mothers who came to visit soldiers before they were deployed overseas. Through touching stories, the author recounts the activities organized in these houses that offered couples separated by war a place to say good-bye and servicemen a warm, homey atmosphere in which to take comfort and socialize. Other documents note that the end of the war was seen as a crucial time, given the anticipated challenges faced by returning soldiers. For this reason, the Y created specific initiatives to support recently demobilized men.

Generally speaking, the promotional documents in this file highlight the Y's foundations and areas of activity. For example, in its 1936-1937 fundraising campaign, which took place during the Depression of the 1930s, the YMCA of Montreal used the occasion to promote the importance of providing a stable environment for young men of the next generation who were dealing with high unemployment and changing values. The documents also reveal the Christian roots of the organization, whose activities sometimes bordered on proselytizing. However, it is clear that, overall, the Y promotes physical, intellectual, social and spiritual well-being by making sports facilities available to young men and boys and by providing opportunities for social, cultural and peer support activities. Finally, the file includes several issues of the YMCA of Montreal newsletter, entitled Y's Acres, which provide progress reports on the April 1927 fundraising campaign. There is also a copy of the Quebec edition of the Red Triangle News, the newsletter of the Canadian federation of YMCAs, which mentions John Wardrop Ross as a member of the provincial committee and the leader of the May 1919 Montreal fundraising campaign.