Century-Old Memphis Family-Services Agency Closes

After struggling financially for several years, Memphis-based Family Services of the Mid-South will shut down this summer, but one of its key programs will be preserved by the local United Way, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

Founded in 1893 by local churches, the organization evolved into an agency serving the poor and homeless and one of Memphis’s major counseling options for victims of domestic violence and other people in crisis. Its 24-hour Crisis Center hotline receives an estimated 15,000 calls a year.

The telephone service will be maintained via money from United Way of the Mid-South “because that’s a very important resource for the community,” said Dave Skorupa, United Way vice president of communications. Family Services is trying to place clients of its other programs with other agencies, he said.