Meet Kathy Bittinger

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kathy Bittinger. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kathy below.

Kathy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

For as long as I can remember, I have loved two things: reading and learning about the world. Growing up, I was fascinated by where my ancestors came from, what brought them to the U.S., the cultural traditions they maintained, and the lands they left behind. As an educator, I tried to honor the unique experiences of my students and sought ways to help them embrace their heritage. When my own children left for college, I began tutoring refugee and immigrant children and helping with local resettlement needs. From seeing the resilience of families who arrive with little more than hope for a better life, much like my ancestors did over 150 year earlier, the idea for The Novel Refuge was born. I am grateful to be able to look back and honored to be able to pay forward in this way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

The Novel Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer-run used bookstore in Laurel, Maryland. We have a 3-pronged mission: to support refugee and immigrant resettlement services, to promote literacy in our community, and to keep books in circulation and out of landfills. Every day that I step into our store, I realize what a special place it is. We have a wonderful crew of volunteers dedicated to both our mission and our customers. Our volunteers go out of their way to make the shopping experience pleasant for everyone who comes through our door. We have customers from all walks of life – parents and their toddlers, high school and college students, young and retired professionals – you name it. One of my great joys is meeting them and sharing my love of reading along with my passion for helping our newest neighbors.

My foundational belief is that where you shop matters. We may not always be able to compete with retail giants on price or variety of offerings, but we exceed them in heart. Purchases of books and other items at our store help those new to our country take English language courses, gain valuable job training, and give them a chance to start their new lives and become productive contributors to our society.

Along with a wide selection of used books and jigsaw puzzles, we sell handmade rugs and art created by local immigrants in our retail store. Additionally, we host events, like a monthly book club, Crafternoon crafting sessions, and we have an upcoming Open Mic event planned this Fall. Anyone across the country can support us by buying new books online through our affiliation with Bookshop.org. We greatly appreciate the support we receive from near and far.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Empathy, resilience, and commitment are three qualities that have helped me along the way. It can be hard to wake up every morning and know that so much work lies ahead, yet focusing on the end goal helps turn a dream into reality. For me, putting myself in someone else’s shoes was crucial. People arrive in our country under a variety of different circumstances and for a variety of different reasons. Most are here because they are seeking something better than what they left behind. Yet, many left behind a lot – family, friends, careers, possessions. Understanding that they may feel fortunate to have escaped violence or persecution, but that they also may be grieving the loss of loved ones and aspects of their former life, is necessary. I want their entry to our country to be welcoming.

When I first proposed my idea of opening a nonprofit bookstore, I encountered a lot of naysayers. I don’t have a business background, so many discounted my dream as merely that – a dream. But I did the work. I read and researched, enlisted a strong Board of Directors, and sought help when I could. I never thought I knew it all – and I still don’t. But I do ask the questions and try to figure out the answers, even when others tell me it’s impossible.

Starting a nonprofit requires commitment. It’s not easy. But there’s nothing I’d rather be doing right now in my life.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Sometimes the work of the past couple years – starting a non-profit organization, opening a brick-and-mortar store, managing the daily operations – is overwhelming. I manage it by planning time off. This is something I am constantly trying to improve in myself. It’s easy for me to fire on all cylinders and neglect myself. But I know getting away helps me recharge and come back better. I love spending time with my husband and our three adult sons, so I have been better about scheduling those times into my month. I may meet one son for dinner, go for a walk with another, tour a museum with the third, and go for a bike ride with my husband – it doesn’t really matter what we do. What matters is that I try to focus on them and enjoy the time together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.novelrefuge.org
• Instagram: the_novelrefuge
• Facebook: The Novel Refuge
• Other: To purchase books: www.bookshop.org/shop/thenovelrefuge