TAMPA, Fla. —  A local non-profit launched a new initiative aimed at helping kids in underserved communities improve their reading and writing skills.

The program is called Inspira Tampa Bay.

Jamie Stencel is a Speech Language Pathology Assistant with Southshore bilingual therapy in Wimauma. But she’s also a facilitator for CLAMP, which stands for “Community Literacy and Mentorship Program.”

It’s part of the non-profit Inspira Tampa Bay, which is housed in the therapy center.

Stencel says the progress in the children who are part of the program is amazing to see, “when they came in a lot of them knew parts of their foundational skills, but they were missing big gaps.”

The initiative supports children from underserved communities.

She says many of the children in the program have cognitive or developmental disabilities, reading difficulties or language barriers.

That’s the case for Rosalba Maldonado Alvear’s daughter, Natasha. She takes speech therapy sessions at the center.

In a short time, she says the sessions and program have made a big difference for her daughter.

“At first it was difficult because she just getting a hold of words now, now she’s writing better,” she said.

Rosalba says this program helps ensure her daughter can get the help she needs.

“Sometimes we as parents feel frustrated because we try to find the best for our children, but it’s tough to find the right help,” she said.

Stencel says those frustrations are why CLAMP is needed.

“We want to make sure that they are getting consistence learning and consistent opportunities,” she said.

In the center or outside. They’re providing the tools to help children in the long run become better readers and writers.

The program is free and funded through the United Way Suncoast ACE Grant. Cohorts meet once a week for two hours and is 9 weeks long.