The Florence Crittenton Services in Jackson has been a security blanket for troubled youth since 1919, and now those teens will have to go elsewhere.

"The economy was just to difficult for them to be able to overcome the debt and the other financial issues that they were facing; it was a very heart wrenching and difficult decision," said Jim Brian of United Way of Jackson County.

United Way of Jackson County funded a teen-father pregnancy prevention program and a teen diversion program at the center, it also received some state and local grants but United Way says they're trying to ensure that the support system the youth had at the center will continue despite the sudden closure.

"We're also looking for where we can find homes for the programs that have been effected and we're also looking at finding home for the programs that may be effected in the future," Brian said.

But it's not just a loss for the teens who used the services at this center, city officials say it will also have an economic impact on the city of Jackson.

"We're going to be loosing about 40 to 50 jobs as I understand it, in the last year, some of them full time, some of them part time and of course I see that as a loss of revenue to the city," said Jackson city council member Ken Gaiser.

Ken Gaiser is the Jackson it council member that oversees the 4th Ward where the shelter is located, and says the center was struggling to maintain payroll and taxes, and it's a sacred treasure that's virtually irreplaceable.

"It's unfortunate that we have lost a lot of jobs and very dedicated social workers," Gaiser said.

Community Feels Impact of Teen Shelter Closing

The community of Jackson says the effects of the Florence Crittenton Services closing will have both emotional and economic effects.

" The board of the Florence Crittenton Center is going to be convening, a number of non profit members of this community to look at what options are going to be available; and we'll certainly offering whatever assistance we can for that process."