Gabriella Heinz

FIVE YEARS AGO at age 16, Gabriella Heinz decided to join in the fight against sex trafficking.

That mission turned into the social impact project she undertook as part of her candidacy for Miss Yuma County, a title she went on to win for 2020.

“I spent a year networking within the community to gather knowledge and information about igniting change. I competed with the Miss American organization to launch the beginning of advocacy against trafficking in the community.”

In a multi-pronged effort she dubbed

The Agape Project, she published “Into the Portal,” a children’s book for use by parents to begin the conversation with their kids about staying safe; took part in fund-raising activities for anti-trafficking organizations, and created a separate training curriculum to help adults prevent trafficking.

“I will share my children’s book across elementary schools to stimulate discussion about healthy boundaries with adults and promoting safe communication throu gh online outlets; and I am working to partner with an Arizona community college Etiquette Luncheon Board to host professional interview/

resume generating workshops that equip young people to become strong, capable candidates within the workforce. Early education and intervention is key to dissolving this critical humanitarian crisis.”

Heinz, a Gila Ridge High School graduate who is majoring in counseling at Capella University, continues to pursue her dream to become Miss Arizona. Meanwhile her goal is to become a counselor who partners with non profit organizations aiding trafficking victims in trauma therapy.

Gabriella Heinz

What is your favorite quote? “Your passion and purpose are not treatures to discover in the world.

It is a blank canvas. You build it. Passion isn’t a pre-existing condition. When everyone else moves onto the next shiny thing, listen to the

whisper that says keep going.”

– Liz Bohannon, Founder of Sseko Design