This YMCA membership card belonged to Francis E. Grafton. A friend of George Williams, Francis immigrated to Montréal in 1847 when he was 27 years old. By 1851, he and a group of friends had planted the YMCA idea in the city. He stayed in close contact with YMCA developments across the ocean and was credited with drafting the Montréal YMCA’s first constitution.
According to archival records describing the YMCA's charter members, Francis provided “the most consistent leadership to the Montréal Association during the first ten years of its existence.” An advocate for cooperation among YMCAs in North America, he was also a founder of the Canadian confederation of YMCAs -- the forerunner of YMCA Canada.
This document reminds us that YMCA membership has the power to transform lives and communities -- locally, nationally and globally.
What an amazing piece of history! This project is going to be a great way to connect to all of our YMCAs across Canada. We can't wait to hear the rest of the stories!
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