In June of 1997, eleven year old André Bosse was forcibly abducted from the security of her home by the father of a friend. She was never seen alive again. The man has since confessed to her rape and murder and is in prison for life.
André's parents, Matt and Linda Bosse with the help of Michigan State Police Trooper Bill Burd, turned their daughter's tragedy into a battle against child abuse and neglect. In 1998, they founded this non-profit organization in Oceana County with the desire to protect other children from abuse. With the help of collaborative partners, caring donors and volunteers, the André Bosse Center grew into a Children's Advocacy Center that provides much needed prevention and advocacy services for the children of Oceana County.
As the Center grew it added new programs, services and started to help victims in neighboring counties. The André Bosse Center became the first fully accredited regional rural Children's Advocacy Center. The André Bosse Center Kids' House of Mason County opened in November 2005.
In 1999, the current building in Hart, MI was purchased and dedicated to the memory of André to provide a safe haven for child victims undergoing child abuse investigation. The André Bosse Center has since grown into a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation serving children in the rural western Michigan area with prevention, education and multi-disciplinary services for child victims. These services include on-site forensic interviews and medical examinations, victim advocacy, supervised visitation, emotional/crisis support, foster care support, and preparation for court.
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In early 2005, a group of concerned community members voiced a need for Mason County children to have greater access to services being offered through the André Bosse Center of Oceana County. The André Bosse Center was approached with the idea of opening an additional center in Mason County that would be guided by an Advisory Committee made up of individuals from local law enforcement agencies, the courts, protective services and other concerned citizens. The donation of the former Manpower building in Ludington allowed us to open the André Bosse Center Kid's House of Mason County in November 2005.
The Kid's House currently is offering the following programs to better serve the immediate needs of neglected, abused and at-risk children in our community: child & family advocates, supervised visitation, parent support groups, forensic interviews and placement support for Foster or Adoptive families who have given a home to a child who have been abused.
IN THE UNITED STATES:
In the year 2008, there were 1,740 children died due to physical abuse or neglect. Infant boys had a rate of 19.31 deaths per 100,000 boys of that age. Infant girls had a rate of 17.22 deaths per 100,000 girls of that age. 40% of child fatalities were caused by multiple maltreatment types.
50 - 60% of deaths resulting from abuse and neglect are not reported.
The André Bosse Centers have alot going on behind the scenes. The everyday operations and organizational direction are decided and handled by many. It takes alot of individuals to provide these services.
