In a touching story from Minneapolis, Grant Snyder, a former law enforcement officer with two decades of experience in human trafficking cases, has transformed his career into a mission to assist the homeless population. Frustrated by the lack of reporting and investigation of trafficking within this community, Snyder took matters into his own hands, driving through the city to connect with those living on the streets. This journey led him to establish Involve, an organization dedicated to providing immediate necessities like water and shoes, as well as hot meals during the pandemic. His son, Ethan, who once faced addiction and homelessness, now plays a crucial role in outreach, delivering meals and offering social interaction to those still struggling.

The Journey from Law Enforcement to Community Service

In the heart of Minneapolis, a transformative change occurred when Grant Snyder, previously a police officer specializing in human trafficking for about two decades, shifted his focus to aiding the unsheltered population. Snyder encountered numerous challenges while trying to bring justice to victims who rarely reported their plight or received thorough investigations. Realizing the transient nature of these individuals made it difficult to track them down, Snyder began patrolling the city in his Polaris Ranger, visiting encampments and underpasses to meet people face-to-face.

Initially, Snyder aimed to make the legal system more accessible to the homeless. However, he soon recognized that addressing their immediate needs—such as hydration during heatwaves and footwear in cold weather—was paramount. In 2018, Snyder and his wife founded Involve, an organization committed to providing essential survival items to those living on the streets. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, closing many soup kitchens, Involve stepped up by delivering thousands of bagged lunches to encampments across the Twin Cities. With state grants and contracts with shelters like Avivo Village, they expanded their services to include hot meals prepared by staff with culinary expertise and personal experience of homelessness.

Ethan Snyder, Grant’s son, brings a unique perspective to the organization. Having battled meth addiction and lived on the streets in his early twenties, Ethan found redemption through intensive therapy and now works as the outreach director. He delivers meals multiple times a week to the same people he once called neighbors, emphasizing that beyond food, what truly matters is fostering meaningful social connections. Ethan believes that just as incarceration can lead to mental confinement, so too can life on the streets trap individuals in a cycle of isolation.

From a reporter's viewpoint, this story underscores the importance of empathy and direct action in addressing societal issues. It highlights how one person's shift from enforcing laws to providing compassionate care can have a profound impact on marginalized communities. The Snyders' efforts remind us that sometimes the most effective solutions come from understanding and meeting immediate needs, rather than relying solely on institutional systems.