Domestic Violence Service Center 

PO Box 2177 

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703 

Contact: Bella Ceccoli 

Development and Fundraising Coordinator iceccoli@dvsclc.org 

(570)823-6799 ext. 283 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

(Wilkes-Barre, PA, November 2025)- The Domestic Violence Service Center is excited to announce that our Court Advocate, Solmari Vince, was selected as the 2025 Light of Liberty Community Partner Advocate of the Year! This award is presented by the Pennsylvania Immigrant Resource Center, PIRC. The PIRC provides free high-quality legal services so that vulnerable immigrants and their families have access to justice and a more secure future.  

Vince was honored at this year’s Light of Liberty ceremony in recognition of her extraordinary commitment to supporting immigrant survivors and her innovative work that strengthens both legal and human rights advocacy. On her award, Vince had the following to say;  

“Domestic violence can escalate into unthinkable tragedy — taking multiple lives, including those who step forward to protect others. On the day I received this award, we paused for a moment of silence to honor the three police officers who were killed while responding to a stalking case, where the perpetrator had already taken the victim’s dog and was waiting inside her home. Their loss is a painful reminder of the urgency and danger surrounding domestic violence. Every day, survivors face impossible choices while navigating fear and isolation. It is an honor to help connect them with the critical resources they need to create and carry out their safety plans. The greatest reward comes when families who once lived in crisis now feel safe enough to return to community life — to attend events, rebuild trust, and reclaim their sense of peace. Advocacy begins with awareness, but it must continue through action. We must listen, believe survivors, and strengthen the systems that protect them. It takes extraordinary courage to speak about the violence that happens in private — and every survivor deserves to know that help, hope, and healing are only a phone call away.” 

Jennifer Dotzel, the DVSC’s Outreach Supervisor, said, “I am consistently impressed by Solmari’s dedication and professionalism. She provides court services to domestic violence and immigration survivors with remarkable compassion, attention to detail, and expertise. She ensures that clients understand their rights, navigate complex legal processes, and feel supported during extremely stressful situations. Her ability to advocate effectively on behalf of survivors not only strengthens their cases but also reflects positively on DVSC’s commitment to justice and client-centered services. Her work makes a real difference for clients and is an inspiration to the agency. I feel truly privileged to work with her.”  

Danielle Keith-Alexandre, Executive Director, said, “Solmari is a dedicated and caring Court Advocate who provides exceptional services to those whose lives have been affected and impacted by domestic violence. This award is just a testament and a well-deserved recognition of not only what she does, but also, innately, who she is as a human being. It is an honor to call Solmari a DVSC employee.”