Many government and community organizations have worked to meet the needs of their citizens through social welfare programs. In fact, the American welfare system was designed to benefit poor Americans or those suffering from serious health problems (Wikimedia, 2013). These important welfare systems, among others, have helped shape the American economy. By creating programs that encourage (or legally require) applicants to seek employment after a certain period of time, it promotes economic growth and development. In the United States, there are two important social welfare programs: Social Security and Medicare (Krugman, 2007). These two programs have helped many Americans receive basic necessities such as health care, food and housing. For change to happen, there must be a need; where there is a need, there is a community. For the social protection system to function and grow, significant community organization may be essential for the birth of such systems. We will discuss how welfare systems help, as well as how community organizing has helped bring about change in the welfare system. TANF or Temporary Assistance for Needing Families is a United States federal assistance program that provides temporary monetary benefits to low-income families and/or those in need of assistance. permanently disabled. According to statistics, approximately 4 million Americans receive assistance funded by TANF (Matrix Group International, Inc.). Many families rely solely on the benefits of this program. An example is Marsha, mother of 7 children. She was once married to a man whose religious beliefs required him to have many children. Marsha, a housewife, was forced to leave her husband's community because she sent her children to public school, which was forbidden. Shortly after, she was granted a divorce... middle of article......speak up. Social and government programs play a vital role in the communities they serve. Children and families benefit greatly from services such as food stamps, child health screenings, and government housing. These programs have changed and added more services with the help of groups proposing change. Thus, the one applicant who may be rejected can lay the groundwork for others to be accepted into such programs. Works cited on Wikimedia. (2013, 11-24). Social problems in the United States. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_programs_in_the_United_StatesKrugman, P. (2007). The conscience of a liberal. New York: WW NortonMatrix Group International, Inc. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.cbpp.org/research/?fa=topic&id=42WROC. (nd). Social Rights Organizing Coalition. Retrieved from http://www.socialdesign.org/welfare/project/wroc_welcome.html