HERO New York wins 2026 National Adaptive Tennis Award
USTA interim co-CEO and Chairman of the Board and President Brian Vahaly poses with Janet Lefkowitz, representing HERO New York, and the trophy for the Adaptive Tennis Award at the 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference. Photo by Susan Mullane/USTA.
Ten advocates for the sport of tennis at the grassroots and local levels were honored with national awards at the 2026 USTA Annual Meeting and Conference in Orlando, Fla.
HERO Inc., which operates programming in the Greater New York City metro area, was honored with the Adaptive Tennis National Community Service Award at the USTA Annual Meeting & Conference, held in Orlando, Fla. The USTA awards the honor to an individual or a program that has demonstrated excellence, dedication, and service related to tennis for an adaptive community.
HERO, which stands for Help Expand Recreation Opportunities, was co-founded in 1992 by Janet Lefkowitz. Over the past 33 years, HERO’s programs have served more than 20,000 under-resourced, socially-isolated adults and youth living with intellectual, social, and physical challenges, including autism, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, visual and hearing impairments, and wounded veterans. The organization also offers scholarships, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.
HERO is led by a group of passionate volunteers and instructors who work to ensure that programs are centered on fun, positive social interactions, emotional well-being, and fitness.
The HERO team regularly advocates for the people it serves through teaching, speaking engagements, and lessons held at parks, schools, group homes, and agencies that serve people living with disabilities throughout the tri-state region.
“The HERO team truly lives up to its name,” said Brian Vahaly, USTA President and interim co-CEO. “Through Janet Lefkowitz’s vision and leadership, they’ve opened doors for people of all ages and abilities to experience what’s possible through tennis. They’re not just growing the game; they’re building confidence, connection, and community. HERO is a powerful example of what it looks like when inclusion leads the way.”
The USTA has awarded the Adaptive Tennis National Community Service honor since 2003.
See full article: https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/national/hero-new-york-wins-2026-national-adaptive-tennis-award.html
Founder, Janet Lefkowitz
awarded “Woman of the Year!”
by Eastern (USTA) Tennis Awards
April 27, 2022
Janet Lefkowitz has been teaching adaptive tennis for so many years that she's seen kids grow into adulthood as participants in her program. What's incredible is that some of her students over the years have seen their autism symptoms improve, potentially the result of tennis as a therapeutic tool. Janet's 30-year-old program, HERO Tennis, is an organization that delivers tennis to people with all abilities, whether they have special needs, physical disabilities, are wounded warriors–it’s an inclusive tennis program for all. Her life's mission is to get every able-bodied tennis player to experience watching or teaching adaptive tennis.
Women’s Tennis team from Suny Purchase
August 24, 2022
HERO’s was pleased to welcome the Women’s Tennis Team from SUNY Purchase and their coaches Anna Yates and Maureen Fearon to help us coach this session. A good time was had by all!
