Havre man to be honored with achievement award

A Havre man who spent his senior year at Havre High School in the foster care program will be honored today at the Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference in Missoula.

Austin After Buffalo, 19, will be one of two people honored with the Youth Achievement Award. The award is given to a foster or adoptive youth who exhibits a drive to be successful and makes positive changes in their life.

A Browning native, After Buffalo was 17 when he was placed in the foster care program and ended up living with Chris and Alan Drew, the parents of his friend, Ramsey Drew.

After some misgivings, he said he enjoyed living with the Drews and learned from his experience.

He ran cross-country during his senior year.

He has graduated and plans on working for a year before attending Miles City Community College where he will study animal science.

He is now working two part-time jobs — at Northern Montana Hospital and Walmart.

Erin Kintop, a staffer at the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, said she met After Buffalo at “A Step Ahead” conference, a program for young people in foster care. last year.

She said the soft-spoken After Buffalo gets along with everyone he meets and “can easily bring a smile to your face.”

After Buffalo will also take part in a panel discussion on the effects of foster care on young people, she said.