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.
We’re more than partners with the National Women’s Shelter Network—we’re family helping families.
The NWSN has officially launched a national toll-free help line designed to connect women, children, and families experiencing—or at risk of—homelessness with shelter and supportive resources through its trusted member network.
This new resource expands access to safe, dignified, and trauma-informed pathways forward, especially for individuals navigating crisis, displacement, or housing instability.
NWSN National Help Line:
1-833-THE-NWSN (1-833-843-6976)
Opening Doors is proud to stand alongside the National Women’s Shelter Network (NWSN) as they take a major step forward in strengthening access to safe shelter across the country.
Why This Matters to Opening Doors?
As a proud NWSN member, we believes deeply in shared solutions, collective advocacy, and systems-level change. This national help line strengthens the continuum of care by:
- Improving access to shelter information
- Reducing barriers for women and families seeking help
- Amplifying the reach and impact of local programs through national collaboration
Together, we are building a stronger, more connected safety net—because safe shelter saves lives.
Please follow important disclaimers – The NWSN toll-free number does not replace emergency services.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911 or your local emergency services.
Community Partners
John Deere
Portzen Consturciton
Municipal Well & Pump
Hirschbauch Motor Lines
Verena Street
Lime Rocks Spring Co.
Flynn Family Foundation
All sister communities
AY McDonlad
McCoy Group
Tricon Construction
Cottingham & Butler
Dubuque StamPing & Manufacturing
Universal Tank & Fabrication
Dupaco COMMUNITY Credit Union
UMB Bank
DRA
News
Counting What Matters: How the PIT Count Supports Our Neighbors
Each year, the Point-in-Time Count provides a critical snapshot of homelessness in our community, helping identify service gaps and guide funding decisions at the local,
Attitude of Gratitude 2025 – Event Recap & Your Impact
With so many exciting things happening at Opening Doors, we’re thrilled to finally share a full recap of this year’s Attitude of Gratitude, and what
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
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.
Events
Visit 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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🥫 Free Community Food Distribution – Saturday, March 28 - Bread of Life Presbyterian Church, Dubuque If you or someone you know could benefit from extra food support, a free food distribution will be taking place in downtown Dubuque. 📅 Saturday, March 28 ⏰ Food distribution begins at 9:00 AM and continues until food is gone 📍 Parking Lot at 17th & Main Streets – Downtown Dubuque This event will offer free food to community members through both drive-thru and walk-up options. The event is sponsored by Bread of Life Presbyterian Church and the St. Stephen’s Branch of River Bend Foodbank. Please help spread the word so neighbors and families who may need support know this resource is available. 💛 #Dubuque #CommunitySupport #FoodAccess #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors
This week we had the pleasure of welcoming a teacher and student from the Hempstead High School iJAG program who stopped by to drop off checks from a fundraiser they organized in support of Opening Doors. What makes this even more special is that the students led the entire effort themselves. They created the fundraiser, designed the T-shirts, sold them during a basketball game, and even hosted a raffle during the game to raise additional support. Seeing young leaders step up in such a meaningful way reminds us that the next generation is already making an impact in our community. Their creativity, initiative, and generosity will directly help support women and children on their journey toward stability and independence. Thank you to the Hempstead iJAG students and their teacher for believing in our mission and putting your ideas into action. We are so grateful for your support! 👏💗 - Dubuque Community School District
As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, we’re proud to highlight the women who help guide Opening Doors behind the scenes through leadership, advocacy, and service. Today we recognize Christine Corken, whose dedication to supporting women and children has shaped her entire career and continues through her service on the Opening Doors Board. “I’m honored, humbled, and proud to serve on the Board of Opening Doors. I love sharing my role with others — it always starts a meaningful conversation about our mission.” Christine spent her professional career helping women and children who experienced violence in their lives. Serving on the board allows her to continue that work in a new and meaningful way. “My entire career was spent helping women and children who were victims of violence. This gives me an opportunity to continue that work in a new and exciting way. We’re taught to share our time, talent, and treasure — and in retirement, time is one of my greatest treasures.” Christine also highlights the strength of the board’s shared commitment. “Our board is made up of members with diverse backgrounds and talents, yet we are all laser focused on supporting and uplifting the mission of Opening Doors. We stand firmly and thankfully on the shoulders of the Sisters who had the vision — and the spunk — to ‘open the doors.’ None of this would have been possible without them.” We are grateful for Christine’s continued leadership and passion for ensuring women and children in our community have access to safety, support, and opportunity. #WomensHistoryMonth #OpeningDoorsDBQ #WomenWhoLead #behindthemission
📢 Furniture Request for a Family Moving Into Their New Home! We’re celebrating a big step for one of our residents- a mom and her four kiddos were just approved for a 3-bedroom apartment and will be moving out as soon as this weekend! 🏡 We’re excited for this new beginning and are hoping our community might be able to help furnish their new space. We already have beds, but they are looking for other household furniture such as: • Couch or loveseat • Kitchen table and chairs • Dressers • Nightstands • Lamps • Coffee table or end tables • Any other gently used household furniture If you have something you’d be willing to donate, please contact Ashley at 563-690-0086 to help coordinate. Thank you for always showing up for our families and helping turn an apartment into a home. 💛
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.