Empowering Women, Changing LiveS
Opening Doors uplifts and empowers women and children experiencing homelessness and poverty. Through housing, support, and comprehensive services, we collaborate with dynamic partners to provide hospitality, hope, and opportunity to over 5,000 women and their children. Our work builds a compassionate community and invests in a brighter future, helping women and their families overcome hardship, achieve self-sufficiency, and embark on paths to independence and success.
In Need of Shelter?
Call Teresa Shelter at 563.690.0086
Emergency and extended stay program are based upon availability. For additional resources please call the Homeless Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week dial 2-1-1.
Three Doorways to Hope
Since organizational inception, our work has grown to encompass four locations including our operations center and three separate facilities including emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing. Our approach prioritizes key pillars: maintaining sobriety, securing full-time employment, regularly meeting with a case manager, and saving 30% of income. Due to these values, we are limited in our access to state and federal funding, as we choose to uphold our long-term vision over short-term compliance.
Teresa Shelter
Maria House
Francis Apartments
Emergency and Extended Stay Programs
Transitional Houseing for up to two years
Income-based affordable housing
Three Doorways to Hope
Since organizational inception, our work has grown to encompass four locations including our operations center and three separate facilities including emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing. Our approach prioritizes key pillars: maintaining sobriety, securing full-time employment, regularly meeting with a case manager, and saving 30% of income. Due to these values, we are limited in our access to state and federal funding, as we choose to uphold our long-term vision over short-term compliance.
Upcoming Events
Great Give Day
Opening Doors Dubuque 2100 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA, United StatesThe Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is excited to present Great Give Day, our annual online giving event to connect nonprofits and donors across our seven-county region (Allamakee, Clayton, Clinton, […]
Filling Your Cup
Hotel Julien 200 Main St, Dubuque, IA, United StatesSponsorship Menu (PDF) Purchase Tickets We are thrilled to announce that Jasmine Brett Stringer will be joining us as the keynote speaker for this year’s summer event, Filling Your Cup. […]
Save the Date: Attitude of Gratitude
Grand River Center 500 Bell St., Dubuque, IA, United StatesMark your calendar for Saturday, November 15, 2025, as we gather at the Grand River Center in Dubuque for our 23rd Annual Attitude of Gratitude Gala—an evening dedicated to celebrating […]
Support the Mission of Opening Doors
The women in our programs come from diverse backgrounds, with lived experiences including domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health challenges, and generational poverty. At Opening Doors, we treat each woman and child with dignity, offering personalized, comprehensive case management. Through this process, women are empowered to realize their full potential by setting achievable goals, gaining employment support, receiving life skills training, and participating in financial literacy programs, parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, and health care services. We also provide access to essential resources like food and clothing, helping them move toward stable, independent living.
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Thank you Burkey’s Bar and Grill for hosting this weekend!
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✨ Meet the Board at Opening Doors! ✨
Behind every great organization is a dedicated team of leaders working tirelessly to drive its mission forward. At Opening Doors, our Executive Committee & Board of Directors plays a vital role in shaping our vision, supporting our programs, and ensuring we continue to empower women and children in our community.
Each board member brings unique expertise, passion, and commitment to our cause, helping us create lasting change. Stay tuned as we introduce these incredible individuals and share their stories!
Thank you to our board for your leadership and dedication!
#OpeningDoorsDBQ #MeetTheBoard #CommunityLeadership #EmpoweringWomen #MakingADifference
Community Advocate Spotlight! A big thank YOU to a extraordinary couple who have made a significant impact on the lives of our residents – Richard and Joyce Smith.
Week after week, the Smiths have been working tirelessly to provide food for our residents and always bring a warm smile and comforting presence when making their deliveries. Their unwavering dedication to supporting our shelter and the families we serve truly makes a difference in our community. If you see Richard and Joyce around town, please join us in expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the meals, family feels, and smiling faces they generously share with our residents and staff.
We couldn’t do it without their incredible support and the help of our community partners.
Introducing Our Keynote Speaker for Filling Your Cup: @carpediemjbs
We are absolutely delighted to announce that the brilliant Jasmine Brett Stringer will be joining us as the keynote speaker for this year’s highly anticipated summer event, Filling Your Cup!
Jasmine Brett Stringer is a celebrated keynote speaker, an award-winning author of “Seize Your Life: How to Carpe Diem Every Day,” a vibrant on-air TV personality, and the inspiring host of the podcast and lifestyle blog Carpe Diem with Jasmine.
With her empowering message and infectious energy, Jasmine is dedicated to helping others lead authentic, fulfilling lives. Her wisdom and enthusiasm are sure to leave us all feeling inspired and motivated to embrace life to its fullest potential.
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to hear from Jasmine Brett Stringer and connect with fellow attendees at Filling Your Cup!
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, June 26
Time: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Venue: @hoteljuliendubuque
We can’t wait to share this uplifting experience with you! Stay tuned for more updates and information.
#FillingYourCup #JasmineBrettStringer #KeynoteSpeaker #Empowerment #CarpeDiem
✨Wrapping up Women’s History Month with gratitude!
Meet our current Board President, Katie McClain, AVP, Human Resources at @dupaco ! Katie first joined Opening Doors as a committee member before transitioning onto the Board, where she continues to make a lasting impact.
Her passion for our mission and her willingness to go the extra mile for our board and team is truly a gift. Thank you, Katie, and our entire team for empowering women, changing lives, and creating hope, healing, and home for our residents. 🏡
#WomensHistoryMonth #Gratitude #Leadership #OpeningDoorsDBQ #EmpowerChangeHope
🎥 @kodiak_creative
Sunshine and Smiles: A Beautiful Day at the Shelter
Today, the sun is shining bright, and so are the smiles at our shelter! 😎 We’re grateful for the gorgeous weather and the uplifting energy it brings to our residents and staff.
These moments of joy and warmth remind us of the importance of cherishing the simple pleasures in life and finding hope even in the face of challenges.
Here’s to brighter days ahead for all!
#SunshineAndSmiles #HopeAndHappiness #ShelterLife #StrongerTogether
✨ A Heartfelt Thank You! ✨
Opening Doors is incredibly grateful to the @dbqhba and their board for welcoming us back to the Homebuilders EXPO this year! Your continued support provides us with an amazing opportunity to share our mission and connect with our community.
A huge shoutout to our incredible volunteers—your dedication and hard work make all of this possible. We truly couldn’t do it without you!
Together, we are building more than just homes—we are building hope. 🏡💫
#ThankYou #CommunitySupport #OpeningDoorsDBQ #HomebuildersEXPO #buildinghope
With the help of both the Teresa Shelter and Maria House I know I can do anything if I just stay positive and put my mind to it. With you having “Open Doors” there is hope for everyone who enters the programs.