Second Act speaks of life-change for Scucchi
December 22, 2021
Sheila Harris
When the position of manager for Second Act thrift store in Cassville came open several months ago, Bobbi Scucchi told her daughter, for whom she was working at the time, “Sweetie, I’ve got to go.”
“My daughter understood,” said Scucchi, of Cassville, who’s been managing Second Act for the past five months.
“For me, (this job) is a total love story,” Scucchi explained. “People who know me and know my story understand.”
Over sixteen years ago, Scucchi was addicted to meth, a downhill journey, she says, which began when she was in her 20s. She’s now 60 years old and has been clean for over 15 years, a redemption she takes no credit for, but one for which she is extremely grateful.
“I don’t think anyone ever chooses to be a drug addict,” Scucchi said. “Everyone wants to be loved, and addiction is often the result of making one bad choice after another in our search for acceptance.”
Sixteen years ago, while living in Monett and essentially homeless, Scucchi said she was “dumpster diving” at night, searching for food and clothing, when she heard the still, small voice of God calling her out.
“I heard just two words: ‘Follow me,’” said Scucchi.
It was enough to make an impression. Scucchi said she crawled out of the dumpster and returned to the home where she was staying. That night, she explained, the door of the house was kicked in by the Drug Task Force, an event for which she is now thankful.
“It turned my life around,” she said. “A warrant was issued for me, for the possession of meth, and I began (another journey) through the court system.
“During that time, I struggled every day just to put one foot in front of the other,” Scucchi said.
Scucchi says she attended rehab at Celebrate Recovery at the Church of The Nazarene in Monett, where she gave her life to Christ and has never looked back.
“I walked all over Monett looking for work,” she said. “The first job I found was at Herd’s. Later, I got one at IDF.”
Scucchi says she acquired a bicycle and rode it back and forth to work until her daughter (one of Scucchi’s three children) helped her buy her first car: a convertible.
Scucchi laughs now at the memory.
“I’d go cruising through Monett at night with the top down, looking for homeless drug addicts and dumpster divers. I’d invite them into my car so we could talk about what God had done for me and what he could do for them, too,” she said. “I had a CD of The Purpose Driven Life in my CD player. We’d listen to it, and we’d talk, and people started giving their lives to Christ right there in my convertible.”
Some things have changed since those days. Scucchi now ministers to the homeless, drug-addicted and recovering addicts through Second Act, where she puts those who have emerged from the drug courts to work.
“Most people are required to perform about 100 hours of community service,” Scucchi explained, “and hours spent working in Second Act count toward that total.”
Scucchi also sets aside all the new clothing donated to the store for those who she knows will appreciate it the most.
“I opened a Christmas Shop inside the store this year,” she said. “It’s a room that contains all the new items I’ve been setting aside, so people can give new gifts for Christmas.”
Scucchi says she sees and hears (from the police) of many dumpster divers at Second Act.
“I wish they knew they didn’t have to do that,” she said, “but it’s the way drug addicts are. If I’m around, I invite them to come inside where it’s warm, and I talk to them.”
Scucchi says she makes a point of asking the names of the customers who come into Second Act, in a store whose name, she says, speaks to her of God’s providence in her own life.
“We have something beautiful going on in this store and in our community,” she said. “People in Barry County are so loving. We receive some really wonderful donations here.”
Scucchi thanks the community, the drug court programs that allow her to help with community service hours, and, most of all, God, who called her out of her own past addiction and put her in a new position at Second Act.
As Scucchi’s daughter told her, “It’s so you, Mom.”
For those who would like to donate, shop or just visit with Scucchi, Second Act is located at 17928 Holman Road, Cassville.
The store is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Call 417-847-3481 for more information.
Sheila Harris
When the position of manager for Second Act thrift store in Cassville came open several months ago, Bobbi Scucchi told her daughter, for whom she was working at the time, “Sweetie, I’ve got to go.”
“My daughter understood,” said Scucchi, of Cassville, who’s been managing Second Act for the past five months.
“For me, (this job) is a total love story,” Scucchi explained. “People who know me and know my story understand.”
Over sixteen years ago, Scucchi was addicted to meth, a downhill journey, she says, which began when she was in her 20s. She’s now 60 years old and has been clean for over 15 years, a redemption she takes no credit for, but one for which she is extremely grateful.
“I don’t think anyone ever chooses to be a drug addict,” Scucchi said. “Everyone wants to be loved, and addiction is often the result of making one bad choice after another in our search for acceptance.”
Sixteen years ago, while living in Monett and essentially homeless, Scucchi said she was “dumpster diving” at night, searching for food and clothing, when she heard the still, small voice of God calling her out.
“I heard just two words: ‘Follow me,’” said Scucchi.
It was enough to make an impression. Scucchi said she crawled out of the dumpster and returned to the home where she was staying. That night, she explained, the door of the house was kicked in by the Drug Task Force, an event for which she is now thankful.
“It turned my life around,” she said. “A warrant was issued for me, for the possession of meth, and I began (another journey) through the court system.
“During that time, I struggled every day just to put one foot in front of the other,” Scucchi said.
Scucchi says she attended rehab at Celebrate Recovery at the Church of The Nazarene in Monett, where she gave her life to Christ and has never looked back.
“I walked all over Monett looking for work,” she said. “The first job I found was at Herd’s. Later, I got one at IDF.”
Scucchi says she acquired a bicycle and rode it back and forth to work until her daughter (one of Scucchi’s three children) helped her buy her first car: a convertible.
Scucchi laughs now at the memory.
“I’d go cruising through Monett at night with the top down, looking for homeless drug addicts and dumpster divers. I’d invite them into my car so we could talk about what God had done for me and what he could do for them, too,” she said. “I had a CD of The Purpose Driven Life in my CD player. We’d listen to it, and we’d talk, and people started giving their lives to Christ right there in my convertible.”
Some things have changed since those days. Scucchi now ministers to the homeless, drug-addicted and recovering addicts through Second Act, where she puts those who have emerged from the drug courts to work.
“Most people are required to perform about 100 hours of community service,” Scucchi explained, “and hours spent working in Second Act count toward that total.”
Scucchi also sets aside all the new clothing donated to the store for those who she knows will appreciate it the most.
“I opened a Christmas Shop inside the store this year,” she said. “It’s a room that contains all the new items I’ve been setting aside, so people can give new gifts for Christmas.”
Scucchi says she sees and hears (from the police) of many dumpster divers at Second Act.
“I wish they knew they didn’t have to do that,” she said, “but it’s the way drug addicts are. If I’m around, I invite them to come inside where it’s warm, and I talk to them.”
Scucchi says she makes a point of asking the names of the customers who come into Second Act, in a store whose name, she says, speaks to her of God’s providence in her own life.
“We have something beautiful going on in this store and in our community,” she said. “People in Barry County are so loving. We receive some really wonderful donations here.”
Scucchi thanks the community, the drug court programs that allow her to help with community service hours, and, most of all, God, who called her out of her own past addiction and put her in a new position at Second Act.
As Scucchi’s daughter told her, “It’s so you, Mom.”
For those who would like to donate, shop or just visit with Scucchi, Second Act is located at 17928 Holman Road, Cassville.
The store is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Call 417-847-3481 for more information.