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
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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🧼 Shelter Needs Alert 🧻
Our emergency shelter, Teresa House and Trinational Housing, Maria House—home to 30 + women and children—are in urgent need of household essentials to keep things running smoothly and safely. This time, before the holiday season is always our hardest stretch for basic home essentials.
📦 We’re seeking donations of:
Laundry soap
Trash bags
Toilet bowl cleaner
Plungers
All-purpose cleaner
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Floor Cleaner
Disincentive wipes
Every item donated supports women and children working toward sustainable housing and stability. In 2024 alone, we provided over 10,500 bed nights of safe shelter and support—and we couldn’t do it without community advocates like you.
🛒 Want to help? Consider dropping items off or shopping our Amazon wish list - a.co/a7VQmrQ
Drop off location: 2100 Asbury Rd. Ste 8. Dubuque, IA 52001
Thank you for standing with us and the women we serve. 💙 #OpeningDoorsDBQ #SupportLocalShelters #DubuqueCares #WomenHelpingWomen
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🧼 Shelter Needs Alert 🧻
Our emergency shelter, Teresa House and Trinational Housing, Maria House—home to 30 + women and children—are in urgent need of household essentials to keep things running smoothly and safely. This time, before the holiday season is always our hardest stretch for basic home essentials.
📦 We’re seeking donations of:
Laundry soap
Trash bags
Toilet bowl cleaner
Plungers
All-purpose cleaner
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Floor Cleaner
Disincentive wipes
Every item donated supports women and children working toward sustainable housing and stability. In 2024 alone, we provided over 10,500 bed nights of safe shelter and support—and we couldn’t do it without community advocates like you.
🛒 Want to help? Consider dropping items off or shopping our Amazon wish list - https://a.co/a7VQmrQ
Drop off location: 2100 Asbury Rd. Ste 8. Dubuque, IA 52001
Thank you for standing with us and the women we serve. 💙 #OpeningDoorsDBQ #SupportLocalShelters #DubuqueCares #WomenHelpingWomen
Today, we’re honored to highlight Paula Friedman — a former board member, passionate community advocate, and long-time supporter of Opening Doors. Paula and her husband Terry have been dedicated to our mission for years, helping us spread the word and support women and children on their path to self-sufficiency. 💛
“There’s always going to be needs — how are we going to meet them?” – Paula Friedman
With hearts like Paula and Terry’s behind us, we’re reminded that compassion and action go hand in hand. Thank you both for being a constant force for good in our community!
#OpeningDoorsDBQ #MissionDriven #CommunityChampions #SupportLocal #WomenHelpingWomen #GratitudeMonday
Yesterday we were invited to have been a part of the Volunteer Appreciation & Recognition Luncheon hosted by John Deere Dubuque Works, celebrating the incredible contributions of their volunteers in our communities.
It was our privilege to witness Mary Cogan being honored with the 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award for her outstanding dedication and service. We’re deeply grateful to Mary and her team for choosing Opening Doors as the recipient of a generous donation from John Deere Dubuque Works, which will help us continue our mission of supporting women and families in need.
Thank you, John Deere Dubuque Works, for bringing our community together in appreciation of the remarkable volunteers who make our world a better place- More to come!
#JohnDeereDubuqueWorks #VolunteerAppreciation #CommunitySupport #StrongerTogether #OpeningDoorsDBQ
📣👏 Welcome, Maria Greenwood!
@openingdoorsdubuque is excited welcome Maria to the team as Emergency Stay Case Manager!
Maria works directly with women at the Teresa Shelter. She brings a diverse background in victim and shelter services, inpatient medical and psychiatric care, and employment readiness. Maria is known for her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with clients by meeting them where they are and offering consistent support, hope, and guidance.
She holds an Associate’s Degree in Human Services and is currently completing certifications in Social Work and Substance Abuse Counseling, along with pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Outside of work, Maria enjoys spending time with her family, staying active with her son and three dogs, listening to music, and diving into a good book.
Please join us in giving Maria a warm welcome to Opening Doors family- we’re excited to have her!
💥❤️Sparkling Smiles at Teresa Shelter: Celebrating Independence Day Together
Over the weekend, we’re thrilled to share these heartwarming moments from our Teresa Shelter family! We hope these bright smiles and sparkling celebrations remind us all of the joy and hope we can create when we come together as a community.
From all of us at Opening Doors, we wish you a happy and safe Independence Day filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Thank you for being a part of our family and for supporting our mission to empower women and children in need.
#OpeningDoorsDBQ #TeresaShelter #FourthOfJuly #CommunityLove #SparklingSmiles #StrongerTogether
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.