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Following up on a new funding method the Heart of Missouri United Way put in place Tuesday.

Instead of focusing on senior services the Heart of Missouri United Way is throwing more of it's money at organizations that will target youth.

Their hope is to prevent youth from going into poverty.

But, the Boone County Council on Aging is losing about $80,000 or 30 percent of its budget, which could be devastating for local seniors.

We sat down with some seniors who say they think the United Way is taking a step in the wrong direction.

Stephen Staats, who relies on the Council on Aging said, "It could effect a lot of seniors".

Betty and Stephen Staats live just outside Columbia.

They tell volunteers who help them around the house to look for the big red mailbox and the wheelchair ramp.

The Staats depend on volunteers from the Boone County Council on aging to help them do what other people take for granted, "The college girl comes in and goes to the grocery store for us", Betty said.

Betty has crippling arthritis and has been disabled for more than 20 years.

Just getting in her power chair can sometimes be a headache.

The Staats think more headaches could be on the way with the recent cuts from the United Way, "The Boone County Council on Aging is a wonderful thing, it gives the senior citizens, especially the ones who are disabled like we are peace of mind.Because a lot of senior citizens don't have the money and everything to be able to make ends meat and they rely on the Boone County Council on Aging and that's part of their lifestyle and that's part of their income", Staats said.

Kenneth Spry also depends on the Boone County Council on Aging, "There is people out there in the neighborhood that have no lawnmower, if they did they couldn't get out their to mow it. This is going to cut in on volunteers to go mow people's yards. And if the people's yards get tall, the city is going to be able to make some money".

So how will the Council on Aging make up such a big financial loss? Executive Director Jessica Macy says they'll get by, "None profits are always looking for new donors, new grants, new funding sources".

Macy went on to say she realizes the Council isn't alone. Other groups have had their budgets cut too. In this tough economy she encourages people to know where their money is going and make wise investments in their community.