Changes

In August 2002, Bethany House acquired a second nearby property to establish the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Resource Center and Emergency Shelter, named for a late philanthropic couple from Laredo.<ref>Tricia Cortez, "Bethany House dedication: Mayor [[Betty Flores]] takes over ceremony," April 25, 2003.</ref>

In August 2002, Bethany House acquired a second nearby property to establish the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Resource Center and Emergency Shelter, named for a late philanthropic couple from Laredo.<ref>Tricia Cortez, "Bethany House dedication: Mayor [[Betty Flores]] takes over ceremony," April 25, 2003.</ref>

Since a national [[recession]] began late in 2007, more families sought assistance from Bethany House, according to its then director, Barbara Kazen (1941-2011), wife of [.S. District Judge [[George P. Kazen]].<ref name=hunger>Julian Aguilar, "Help for the Hungry: Bethany House raises awareness of growing problem," ''The Laredo Morning Times,'' November 20, 2008, pp. 1, 13A.</ref> In November 2008, Laredo observed "National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week." Laredo [[Mayor]] [[Raúl González Salinas]] led a public march to draw attention to the plight of the needy: "Right now, we are living through very difficult times, but Laredo is a very special city. It's a city where those who have less are always willing to give the shirts off their backs to help others. We must get through this crisis. We must think positive."<ref name=hunger/>

Since a national [[recession]] began late in 2007, more families sought assistance from Bethany House, according to its then director, Barbara Kazen (1941-2011), wife of [U.S. District Judge [[George P. Kazen]].<ref name=hunger>Julian Aguilar, "Help for the Hungry: Bethany House raises awareness of growing problem," ''The Laredo Morning Times,'' November 20, 2008, pp. 1, 13A.</ref> In November 2008, Laredo observed "National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week." The former Laredo [[Mayor]] [[Raúl González Salinas]], in office at the time, led a public march to draw attention to the plight of the needy: "Right now, we are living through very difficult times, but Laredo is a very special city. It's a city where those who have less are always willing to give the shirts off their backs to help others. We must get through this crisis. We must think positive."<ref name=hunger/>

Approximately a third of Laredo residents live at the poverty level,<ref name=hunger/> but donations from citizens and business groups beyond Bethany's budget have enabled the settlement house to expand its operations. For instance, in 2008, Mrs. Kazen received a grant from United Parcel Service to help the organization establish services for the unemployed.<ref name=hunger/>

Approximately a third of Laredo residents live at the poverty level,<ref name=hunger/> but donations from citizens and business groups beyond Bethany's budget have enabled the settlement house to expand its operations. For instance, in 2008, Mrs. Kazen received a grant from United Parcel Service to help the organization establish services for the unemployed.<ref name=hunger/>