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.
News
Help Us With a Critical Need
Every day, women and children call Opening Doors home. Right now, over 30 individuals are living in our emergency shelter and transitional housing. Together, we create a safe, stable, and
Back to School: Ensuring Every Child Has a Fair Start
As backpacks are packed and classrooms fill with the energy of a new school year, we’re reminded of the excitement and hope this season brings. But for children and youth
Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future
Last year’s Attitude of Gratitude Gala was a night to remember—filled with inspiration, community spirit, and an outpouring of generosity in support of women and children experiencing homelessness. Together, we
By the Numbers: 2024 Impact at Opening Doors
Our shelter receives an average of 65 calls each month from women seeking safety and stability. Despite our efforts, we had 317 turn-away calls due to lack of space, highlighting
Upcoming Events
Latest Past Events
Attitude of Gratitude
Grand River Center 500 Bell St., DubuqueMark your calendar for Saturday, November 15, 2025, as we gather at the Grand River Center in Dubuque for our annual Attitude of Gratitude Gala—an evening dedicated to celebrating Opening […]
Frame Show
Vision Health Center 505 Cedar Cross Road, DubuqueJoin us for Vision Health Center’s Fall Frame Show on Thursday, October 16th, 2025, from 9:00am – 6:00pm at our Cedar Cross Road location. This year’s Frame Show is about […]
LatinX Fiesta
Dubuque Museum of Art (Millwork District) 1000 Jackson St., DubuqueEvent Poster (PDF) Opening Doors is proud to be part of this year’s @Latin X Fiesta as a nonprofit vendor booth! Dubuque’s Millwork District will come alive with sizzling food, […]
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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Opening Doors Dubuque
Empowering women and children experiencing homelessness through compassionate care & comprehensive programs. We provide shelter, support, and a path toward stability and independence. Services: Teresa Shelter, Maria House, and Francis Apt
🎄 What do the holidays look like at Opening Doors? We get this question a lot- and we love answering it.
At Opening Doors, the holiday season is full of magic. Our program staff works hard to make our spaces feel like home: Christmas trees in every corner, cookie-decorating nights, shared meals, family game nights, and thoughtful gifts for every woman and their child. For many, this is the first time in a long time they feel safety, joy, and true belonging, and that’s the heart of the season for us.
🎁So what are our biggest needs this time of year? They’re BIG - and your generosity truly matters.
Holiday drives, board support, and donations of essentials (see our Amazon Wish List!) help stock our shelves for months. This allows us to save agency dollars on hygiene items, cleaning supplies, food, and winter gear so more funding can go directly toward our buildings, staff, and programs.
Because of you, we can direct more funding toward what truly sustains our mission!
🌟 Thank you for asking, caring, and helping us raise awareness. Your support keeps the magic alive, not just during the holidays, but all year long.
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🌟 Meet Our New Emergency Stay Case Manager, Julie Fuller! 🌟
We are thrilled to officially welcome Julie Fuller into her new role at Opening Doors!
Julie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa in 2020 and brings meaningful experience supporting individuals with Substance Use Disorder. Before joining our team, she worked at Pathways Behavioral Services Residential in Waterloo.
After moving to Dubuque, Julie joined Opening Doors in September 2023 as a Part-Time Program Advocate. This fall, she stepped into her new role as Emergency Stay Case Manager—a position where her heart, dedication, and belief in second chances shine every day.
She believes every woman deserves the support not just to survive, but to thrive and become the best version of themselves. That mindset makes her an incredible addition to our team and a powerful advocate for our residents.
When she’s not at the shelter, you can find Julie painting, drawing, creating art, or diving into documentaries, books, and trivia—always eager to learn something new.
Please join us in welcoming Julie to this next chapter with Opening Doors! We are so grateful for the compassion and strength she brings to our mission.
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Giving Tuesday is TODAY— and your generosity changes lives.
At Opening Doors, every gift transforms a moment of crisis into a pathway toward stability, safety, and hope.
When you give, you’re providing warm beds, safe shelter, personalized support, and the chance for women and children to rebuild their lives with dignity.
This year alone, supporters like you helped us provide over 10,566 bed nights to women and children in Dubuque. But the need continues to grow — up 112% since 2021 — and your support ensures no woman or child has to face homelessness alone.
Each slide shares the impact of your generosity:
✨ One night of safety
✨ A path forward through case management
✨ Stability and long-term success
✨ A community that believes in brighter futures
On Giving Tuesday, you can be the difference.
You can open the door to safety, stability, and a new beginning.
Join us. Give today.
👉 Donate at openingdoorsdbq.org / link in bio
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Some words from our new Executive Director, Jessica Schlader
“I am honored to step into the role of Executive Director at Opening Doors. Every day, this organization creates pathways to safety, stability, and possibility for women and children in our community. It is a privilege to walk alongside a team so committed to dignity, compassion, and empowerment.
In these first weeks, I look forward to listening, learning, and connecting with the people who make this mission come alive—our staff, residents, volunteers, partners, and supporters. Together, we will continue building a strong foundation for healing and hope.
Thank you for welcoming me so warmly. I am excited for all we will accomplish, together.”
— Jessica Schlader, Executive Director
💚 Please help us welcome Jessica to the Opening Doors family!
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We’re excited to share the Telegraph Herald story announcing Jessica Schlader as the new Executive Director of Opening Doors!
With a strong background in nonprofit leadership, development, and fundraising, Jessica brings fresh energy and deep compassion to our mission of serving women and children experiencing homelessness.
Jessica follows longtime Executive Director Carol Gebhart, whose leadership since 2017 helped expand our programs and shape years of growth. We are grateful for Carol’s dedication and the legacy she leaves as she supports us through the transition.
For 25 years, Opening Doors has provided safe shelter, stability, and support through Teresa Shelter, Maria House, and Francis Apartments, serving more than 6,000 women and their children. Demand continues to rise, and Jessica will help continue to lead efforts to strengthen community partnerships and expand our capacity.
“These women are strong and resilient… We’re focused on helping people find the solutions they need.” — Jessica Schlader
Please join us in welcoming Jessica to the Opening Doors family as we look ahead to the next chapter of Healing, Hope, and Home
New director takes reins of Dubuque nonprofit serving homeless women
www.telegraphherald.com
A new leader is at the helm of a Dubuque nonprofit that has helped more than 6,000 women experiencing homelessness.6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Today, we’re especially grateful for our community — the volunteers who show up, the partners who invest in our mission, and the supporters who believe every woman and their child deserves safety, dignity, and a path forward. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
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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.