SOUND IT OUT: J.J. Klein, 7, sounds out words into a microphone and uses flash cards, at right, with

SOUND IT OUT: J.J. Klein, 7, sounds out words into a microphone and uses flash cards, at right, with speech pathologist Patrice Watkin at the Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center satellite office in Salem. The center is one of 21 agencies to receive funding from the Northern Columbiana County United Way. The Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center's main office is at 6614 Southern Blvd. in Boardman in the Beeghly Medical Park. The Salem office is at 1156 E. State St.
ALMOST THERE: J.J. follows directions through headphones as he finishes a therapy session for his neurological condition, called apraxia, that makes it difficult for him to form words. J.J.'s mother says he has made a lot of progress since starting therapy at age 4.