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.