Grand Opening Weekend

October 19 -20

10am - 4pm

We Have A New Home!

Cherry Tree Center

11200 Scaggsville Rd. #127

Laurel, MD 20723

(227)223-6621

Regular Hours begin 10/22

Tuesdays: 1-7pm

Wed - Sat: 10am-4pm

Closed Sun & Mon

Grand Opening Weekend

October 19 -20

10am - 4pm

Follow us on

Where the Next Chapter Begins

Join us for our Grand Opening Weekend!

Saturday 10/19 and Sunday 10/20 from 10am - 4pm

Kona Ice

12-2pm on 10/19!

Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee

10-11:30am on 10/20!

Our Mission

The Novel Refuge, Inc. is a 501(c)3 public charity. We are a 100% volunteer-run used bookstore. ​Our mission is to support local refugees and asylum-seekers by selling books, games, puzzles, ​and other literary-related items. Through our bookstore, we promote literacy in our community ​and keep books in circulation and out of landfills, thus reducing waste and the environmental ​impact of these products.

Our Team


Board of Directors

President

Peggy Moore, PhD

Moore Executive Coaching & Consulting


As a child, I remember so fondly my mom helping me to find books, as many as we could carry, at the library, and ​how I played 'librarian' when she took me to the high school library where she worked. My parents were born into ​impoverished families - my mom's family immigrated from Wales and England to work in the Pennsylvania coal ​mines, and generations of my dad's ancestors worked the waters around Virginia's Tangier and Smith Islands. My ​mom knew the power of education and got her college degree at 45 years old, ensuring that I had a role model ​and opportunities that she didn't. I love that The Novel Refuge helps to give refugee and immigrant families the ​hope and means for a better life by putting new stories in the hands of book lovers. I'm incredibly honored to ​serve on this board and grateful to be building something so meaningful and impactful with such amazing people.


My favorite author: Maya Angelou

Treasurer

Xuying Chang

Adams Funds


At the age of 23, I traveled to the United States to pursue post-graduate studies. I quickly encountered many of ​the challenges and hurdles that other immigrants experience when arriving in an unfamiliar land. When I met my ​husband, my connection to this experience deepened. He and his family were refugees from Vietnam who arrived ​in the aftermath of the Vietnam War in the 1970s. They found invaluable support from compassionate strangers ​upon their arrival in the United States. The mission of The Novel Refuge, dedicated to aiding refugees and ​immigrants, resonates profoundly with me and holds a special place in my heart.


My favorite book: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou


Secretary

Shannon Perich

The Smithsonian Institution


As a curator at the National Museum of American History, my specialty is the history of photography but I love ​words, too. I am inspired by the mission of The Novel Refuge - to make life better for those who are resettling and ​making new lives in the United States. Serving on the board and helping launch TNR is a privilege, and I am ​pleased to support those who help make life better for others.


Although historical fiction is my favorite genre, my most recent favorite books are Elinor Oliphant is Completely ​Fine by Gail Honeymen and Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourne.


Mara Esser

National Association of the Remodeling Industry


In my career, I blend skills in interior design, business, networking, and philanthropy. In joining the board for The ​Novel Refuge, my passions converge: my love for reading, yen for travel, and dedication to humanitarian causes. I ​am grateful to be a part of TNR and to support the journey of refugees, helping them write new chapters filled ​with optimism, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Everyone deserves the chance to find hope in the pages of ​their own story.


My all-time favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.




Steve Shuman

Kona-Ice


I have spent most of my life running bookstores in Washington, DC. The merging of my love for books and my ​desire to help the local community makes my work with The Novel Refuge so impactful. My wife and I have had ​numerous opportunities to help local immigrant families just getting settled into new apartments and single ​parents trying to make ends meet. I have seen all the needs local families have, from basic furniture like beds, ​sofas, and tables, as well as necessities like plates, silverware, diapers, and toys. This opportunity to help launch ​The Novel Refuge will provide another avenue through which I can help new community members.


My favorite book: Walking With the Wind by John Lewis


Founder

Executive Director

Kathy Bittinger


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 years ​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.


My favorite author: Khaled Hosseini




Our Cause

News

June 20, 2024


Founder and Executive Director Kathy Bittinger Receives the ​Humanitarian Award from the International Rescue Committee



SILVER SPRING, MD - The Novel Refuge, Inc. is very excited to announce that our Founder and Executive ​Director, Kathy Bittinger, has received the 2024 Humanitarian Award at the International Rescue ​Committee’s (IRC) Beacons of Hope Gala for her volunteer work. We would like to congratulate her and ​the other award recipients. Kathy has contributed to IRC in a range of capacities including apartment ​resettlement, food and clothing delivery, family mentoring, and academic tutoring.


The IRC's Silver Spring and Baltimore locations serve thousands of refugees escaping war, violence, and ​persecution annually. Through their programs, they provide for the basic needs of new arrivals, in ​addition to helping them find employment, overcome trauma, learn English, and use their individual skills ​and talents to make our communities better.


The mission of The Novel Refuge is to provide financial support to refugee resettlement agencies, such as ​the IRC, so they can continue to do their meaningful work every day. We are honored to partner with the ​IRC in their efforts. We hope to build on this relationship and make a wider impact to the refugee ​community as we grow as an organization.

The Novel Refuge Online shop

is open



Book Bundles: We have bundles of 3 books in your favorite genre available to be shipped ​anywhere in the U.S. for $30. Books are guaranteed to be in good to new condition.

We also receive a portion of your purchase price if you buy an audiobook at

TNR Brand T-shirts: We have sizes S, M, L, XL for Unisex and XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL for ​Women's Fit available to be shipped anywhere in the U.S. for $25.

Support Us

Donations help us support local refugees and asylum-seekers as they start their new lives. ​We are 100% volunteer-run. Donations directly support our cause.


The Novel Refuge is a 501(c)3 public charity and your financial contribution is tax-​deductible to the extent permitted by law. Thank you for your generosity!

For monetary donations,

click on the Zeffy logo:







You may also copy/paste the secure link into your web browser:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/f3088b2c-82ba-480b-829e-1488b84f6ec4


For book donations:


Our shelves are full! We will update this space when we begin accepting books again. ​Thanks!



Contact Us

Email: NovelRefuge@gmail.com

Phone: (227)223-6621


FOLLOW US:

Facebook: THE NOVEL REFUGE

LinkedIn: THE NOVEL REFUGE

Instagram: THE_NOVELREFUGE

Acknowledgements



Many thanks to our wonderful donors and volunteers!





The Novel Refuge is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. EIN 93-3130768.