The pandemic squeeze on Bucks County businesses sidetracked numerous established careers. Some organizations cut individual roles as business needs contracted; others closed outright, sending large numbers of local workers to unemployment. Faced with the decision about future options, many displaced employees established their own businesses. That ensuing wave of fledgling entrepreneurs has SCORE Bucks County actively seeking volunteers to mentor them. A staff report in Levittown Now contained the details.

The pace of SCORE’s 1:1 teaching-sharing-shepherding connections escalated notably:

Some other recent developments have complicated matters: The number of mentors dipped, and the eastern Montgomery County SCORE chapter recently merged with its Bucks County counterpart.

In short, the organization is now challenged to do more with less.

In an effort to continue its advisory work, SCORE chairwoman Linda Zangrilli issued an appeal for more volunteer mentors: “We want new people who have the time and are willing to give back. We need people who are engaged.”

SCORE provides mentors with ongoing training on all aspects of starting and strengthening a new business.

And Zangrilli says that mentees benefit, but so, too, do mentors.

“Learning never stops,” Zangrilli said. “Every client brings something different to you, and you actually learn as you’re teaching the client too.”

More information on SCORE Bucks County and its volunteer need is at Levittown Now.