Cyarah Vince Foundation's annual benefit raises awareness of domestic violence

CARLISLE TWP. — Spreading awareness that domestic violence in its many forms can affect everyone, the Cyarah Vince Foundation on Saturday night held its fourth-annual Domestic Violence Awareness Benefit. The event was in honor of the foundation's namesake, shot and killed by her boyfriend more than five years ago. Supporters and guests packed the hall at AMVETS Post 32 on Middle Avenue for the foundation's annual fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting Genesis House/Lorain County Safe Harbor. Known to loved ones as Cece, 23-year-old Cyarah Vince was murdered in her apartment on East 29th Street in Lorain on March 26, 2020. A jury convicted Austin Altomare of her murder in December 2021 and he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 1/2 years. At Saturday's event, baskets with tickets for an upcoming concert by popular country singer Luke Bryan, a football signed by Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, Cleveland Guardians tickets, beauty products, alcohol, golf, bowling and for money off tattoos all were part of the raffle. Tickets for the 50/50 were also a hot commodity, again benefiting Genesis House/Lorain County Safe Harbor. Tamara Vince, who is president of her daughter's namesake foundation, said it was good to see the crowd that showed up. Tamara Vince and volunteers, in tie-dyed shirts, sold tickets and gave out a lot of hugs to visitors, supporters and old friends. The color purple also was everywhere, the nationally recognized color of domestic violence awareness and survivorship. Domestic violence affects many people, and there is too much silence surrounding it, Tamara Vince said. "It's something we don't talk about enough," she said. Another young woman who survived the cycle of domestic and sexual abuse — The Chronicle-Telegram does not typically name such survivors — spoke of what she went through as just a child. She recalled her abuser's manipulations, and that he once told her "her words had no power." When he did that, she reported him to loved ones and police and he was sent to prison for more than 40 years for multiple violent crimes. "My life is so much better, since I got out of there," the young woman said. She has since finished high school, is taking college courses, got a job and a promotion and is thinking of becoming a teacher, she said. Chris Pierre and Daniellela Leigh, the assistant Lorain County prosecutors who put Cyarah Vince's killer behind bars, also attended Saturday's event with colleagues and family. Pierre said he never met Cyarah Vince, but a smiling photo of her that Tamara Vince gave him ahead of trial showed him and the jury who she was and the light she brought to the world and shined on others. That was appropriate: Pierre said one of the translations of Cyarah's name is "light." Quoting the Bible verse Romans 12:21, Pierre encouraged those who showed up for Cyarah on Saturday: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Tamara Vince said Saturday's event was "for Cyarah." "We're here tonight because she can't be," Tamara Vince said. "If we can save one person, we're doing good." For more about Cyarah Vince, the foundation named for her, to find resources for domestic violence survivors and awareness or to donate or purchase merchandise for awareness, visit CyarahVinceFoundation.org. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.