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 Dubuque Days of Caring & Grand River Center for all your help!!The Grand River Center team spent the day giving back at the Maria House Opening Doors for Dubuque Days of Caring! We love getting out and supporting our community any way we can!
If you’re in need of an extra hand, we’re just a message away – reach out to us today!
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You can’t pour from an empty cup..
At Opening Doors, our advocates, volunteers, and supporters pour so much love into the lives of women in our community. Now, it’s your turn to be celebrated.
Join us for Filling Your Cup — a special event designed to refresh your spirit, nourish your soul, and honor the incredible community that makes our mission possible.
🌟 Connect with inspiring women who share your passion for lifting others up
🌟 Enjoy self-care activities that are all about you
🌟 Hear stories of how your support is changing lives every day
🌟 Be inspired by our keynote speaker, @carpediemjbs
Date: June 26th
Location: Hotel Julien
Time: 7am-9:30am
This event is our thank you — a moment to recognize the impact you make and to refill your cup with the same hope and encouragement you give so freely. 💕
Seats are limited — link in bio to snag a ticket!
#FillingYourCup #OpeningDoorsDBQ #CelebrateAdvocates #SelfCareMatters #CommunityOfHope #ThankYou
We had a heartwarming visit from one of our previous resident families, and it was an absolute joy to see them again! It’s moments like these that remind us of the strong bonds we form as we support and uplift one another.
At Opening Doors, we believe in the power of community and fostering lasting connections. Our doors are always open for our extended family—past, present, and future—because together, we are stronger.
#OpeningDoorsDBQ #FamilyTies #LoveAndSupport #CommunityUnity #StrongerTogether
🏫🤝 Empowering Future Leaders: Opening Doors Visits Aquin Elementary School
We had a fantastic time at Aquin Elementary School, where we discussed Opening Doors’ mission and applauded their remarkable advocacy work in the community. We’re grateful to the students, teachers, and parents for helping us spread awareness and fostering a spirit of compassion and service in the next generation.
Together, we’re inspiring future leaders to take an active role in addressing the challenges faced by those in need. Thank you, Aquin Elementary School, for your warm welcome and dedication to making a difference in our community!
#OpeningDoorsMission #AquinElementarySchool #CommunityAdvocacy #EmpoweringFutureLeaders #StrongerTogether
At Opening Doors, compassion means meeting each woman exactly where she is—with understanding, patience, and love. We listen without judgment and walk beside her as she builds a new beginning.
But compassion doesn’t stand alone. It inspires and strengthens our other core values:
💪 Empowerment – We help women rediscover their strength and take charge of their future.
🌱 Opportunity – We open doors to housing, healing, and hope.
🤝 Community – We build relationships that remind every person they are not alone.
🌍 Inclusiveness – We welcome everyone with open hearts and open minds.
When compassion leads the way, lives are changed. Thank you for walking with us on this journey of hope and healing.
#OpeningDoorsDBQ #CompassionInAction #Empowerment #Community #Opportunity #Inclusiveness #DubuqueCares
🐰A Heartfelt Easter Thanks: Celebrating Our Dedicated Staff & Community!
As the Easter season has come & gone, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible staff at Opening Doors for their unwavering dedication to our residents. From providing essential support to preparing adorable Easter baskets, you all consistently go above and beyond to make our residents feel loved and cared for. Staff was able to create these baskets due to the amazing donations the shelter received from the @dbqpd1837 , Hempstead Keyclub - @dubuqueschools and Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Thank you so much!
Your tireless efforts and compassionate hearts make a world of difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for consistently showing up and making Opening Doors a place of hope, healing, and happiness.
We hope you all had a wonderful Easter holiday, filled with joy and peace. Here’s to another year of making a meaningful impact together!
#OpeningDoorsDBQ #EasterGratitude #DedicatedStaff #CommunityImpact #strongertogether
THANK YOU, @yappersdbq & @dbqfoundation 💛
We are so grateful to our local YAPPERS Group for their generous support of our Barrier Breakers: Transportation Program at Opening Doors!
Every day, the women in our programs face obstacles on their journey to healing and independence. Reliable transportation is a crucial lifeline that helps them access employment, childcare, education, and vital services — all building blocks for a sustainable future.
Your support helps us continue breaking down barriers and building up lives. Thank you for being a part of this advocacy work and for believing in our mission to create healing, hope, and home.
About YAPPERS: These inspiring Dubuque high school students are learning the power of generosity and philanthropy. Through leadership, teamwork, and service, they’re making a real impact in our community — and we are honored to be part of their journey. 💫
#ThankYouYAPPERS #BarrierBreakers #OpeningDoorsDBQ #YouthLeadership #HealingHopeHome #CommunitySupport #TransportationMatters
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.