Mom with kids - Opening Doors

Empowering Women, Changing Live

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.

NEED SHELTER? Call (563) 690-0086

If you, a friend, or loved one are facing a domestic violence situation, please contact the Dubuque YMCA Victim Services Shelter. While Maria House and Teresa Shelter are private property, our shelters cannot guarantee the safety of women fleeing domestic violence and in immediate danger.

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. 

Opening Doors Teresa Shelter

Teresa Shelter

 Emergency and Extended Stay Programs.

Opening Doors Maria House

Maria House

Transitional Housing for up to Two Years.

Opening Doors Francis House

Francis Apartments

 Income-based Affordable Housing

Upcoming Events

Trivia Night
“May the Luck Be With You”
Date: Thursday, February 27
Location: Grand River Center, Dubuque

Filling Your Cup
Thursday June 26, 2025
7am at The Hotel Julien
Jasmine Brett Stringer is a renowned keynote speaker, award-winning author of Seize Your Life: How to Carpe Diem Every Day, on-air TV personality, and the host of the podcast and lifestyle blog Carpe Diem with Jasmine.

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.

Proud to be a United Way Agency!

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Being here has shown me how to fall in love with my life and who I am as a person.  I have many goals still to reach, and a lot of work to do toward them, but now I know I can do it.

—Teresa Shelter Resident