On Sept. 5, Valerie Lessa, a Minute Man Arc client with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, graduated from an eight-week Self-Advocacy Leadership Series at Bridgewater State University, where she studied advocacy, team-building and communications.

Lessa took two trains and a bus every Wednesday to get to the college campus from her Concord home. After three practice sessions with her travel trainer, Lessa traveled solo to her class for eight weeks in a row, all without any problems.

“I never thought I could do something like this, especially the train travel,” said Lessa.

Minute Man Arc seeks to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities by increasing independence, personal choice and self-advocacy.

For information: minutemanarc.org.