About Us
Empowering Lives
Opening Doors is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women and children experiencing homelessness. We empower individuals by providing goal-setting and life skills training, enabling them to achieve their full potential. Our approach offers a hand up, not a handout.
Since 2000, Opening Doors has served thousands of women and children through a comprehensive continuum of services.
- Teresa Shelter offers emergency and extended stay programs.
- Maria House provides transitional housing for up to two years.
- Francis Apartments offers income-based affordable housing with supportive services, a proven combination that helps break the cycle of homelessness.
Mission Statement
Empowering women and their children by providing shelter and personalized support to find healing, hope, and home.
Vision
Help all unhoused women and their children achieve independence and confidence.
Our Values
- Empowerment: We believe in the innate strength and capabilities of every woman. Through our structured programming and supportive services, we empower women to realize their potential and become confident, contributing members of society.
- Compassion: Our team approach and welcoming atmosphere create a safe space where women and their children are treated with dignity and respect. We meet them where they are, providing a listening ear, accountability, and tailored support.
- Opportunity: Opening Doors is committed to offering opportunities that go beyond shelter. We provide life skills education, case management, and resources that allow women to overcome homelessness and establish a foundation for a brighter future.
- Community: We are deeply connected to our community and collaborate with partners to provide comprehensive support. Through these partnerships, we equip women with the tools needed to break free from homelessness and create stable lives.
- Inclusiveness: At Opening Doors, we celebrate diversity and recognize that every woman’s journey is unique. We foster an environment that embraces individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life. Our commitment to inclusiveness ensures that all women have equal access to our services, regardless of their circumstances, and that they feel valued and understood as they work towards stability and independence.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment for all individuals seeking shelter and stability. Teresa Shelter serves women, individuals who identify as women, and non-binary individuals experiencing homelessness, ensuring that everyone has access to safe housing and essential services regardless of background or identity. We embrace diversity in age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, and lived experience. Our programs are designed to remove barriers, promote equity, and provide individualized support tailored to the unique needs of each resident. By cultivating a culture of respect, dignity, and empowerment, we help individuals build pathways to self-sufficiency and long-term stability. Through continuous learning, community partnerships, and inclusive policies, we reaffirm our dedication to serving all individuals ages 18 and +, ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued on their journey toward independence.
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
Feeling extra grateful today 🙏❤️
We had the absolute pleasure of spending time with students from Wahlert High School - @holyfamilydbq and wow, what an incredible group!
They worked so efficiently that we truly ran out of things for them to do (which never happens 😄). From organizing the attic to carefully carrying baby items into our baby closet—tasks that we wouldn’t have been able to manage on our own, their help made an immediate and lasting impact.
Because of their hard work, we’re now able to keep a clearer inventory of what we have and what we still need. They built and installed a brand-new shelving unit in our supply closet, unpacked boxes of shampoo, conditioner, and body soap, dusted high décor, scrubbed crayon and marker off the walls, and even helped us donate grocery-bag blankets to The Mission.
This is what community looks like- young people showing up with heart, energy, and a willingness to serve. We are so grateful for the time, care, and compassion these students shared with us today. Thank you, Wahlert for making a difference at Opening Doors!
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Donation Request: Hair Care Products Needed <3
Many of the women we serve have textured, curly, or coily hair, and standard “one-size-fits-all” hygiene products simply do not meet their basic hair care needs.
We are running low on appropriate hair care products- especially moisturizing hair oils, leave-in conditioners, curl creams, and styling products formulated for textured hair are essential for maintaining scalp health, preventing breakage, and supporting personal dignity. Products not designed for textured hair can lead to dryness, scalp irritation, and damage, which can negatively impact a woman’s physical comfort and self-esteem.
We are currently seeking donations of new:
- Hair oil (most needed)
- Leave-in conditioner
- Hair gel or mousse
- Satin or silk bonnets
These items help women feel confident, cared for, and respected as they focus on healing, stability, and moving forward.
How to Help: Shop our Amazon Wish List - a.co/a7VQmrQ or drop off donations at 2100 Asbury Rd Ste 8. Dubuque, IA from 9-4pm Monday through Friday-
Thank you for helping!
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📣 Volunteer Opportunities Updated!
We’ve refreshed our needs on Volunteer DBQ, and if you’ve been wondering where to start, this is the perfect place.
Volunteers are a crucial part of our growth at Opening Doors. From behind-the-scenes administrative support to hands-on help, those extra sets of hands make it possible for us to continue serving women and children with care, dignity, and consistency. We truly couldn’t do this work without you.
Whether you’re looking to give a few hours or become a regular volunteer, there’s a place for you here.
Get started today:
Visit Volunteer DBQ to see our current opportunities and find the role that fits you best.
www.volunteerdbq.com/need/detail/?need_id=1205186
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This month, we were grateful to welcome Pedro Calderon, District Representative for Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, for a tour of Opening Doors.
Over the past two years, one of our strongest intentions has been to open our doors wider—to community leaders, partners, and policymakers because real change happens when people see, hear, and understand the work happening inside our walls. Tours are a critical part of our commitment to political advocacy, education, and community partnership.
At Opening Doors, our mission is rooted in empowering women and children experiencing homelessness through structured programming, trauma-informed care, and accountability—creating pathways toward stability, dignity, and long-term independence. Advocacy and informed leadership help ensure these pathways remain accessible and supported at the local, state, and federal levels.
Thank you, Pedro, for taking the time to join us, ask thoughtful questions, and be an advocate for our community. We appreciate your willingness to learn, listen, and engage in conversations that help strengthen solutions for women and families in need.
Email natalie@openingdoorsdbq.org to learn more about the tours.
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Last night, our staff finally had the chance to gather for a long-overdue holiday celebration.
Our team is the heartbeat of Opening Doors. The compassion, dedication, and resilience they bring to this work every day make our mission possible. We truly couldn’t do what we do without them.
A heartfelt thank you to Q Casino + Resort for hosting us and creating a night filled with laughter, games, reconnection, and well-deserved fun.
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National Toll-Free Help Line - @thenwsn
We’re more than partners with the National Women’s Shelter Network—we’re family helping families.
Launching the NWSN Toll-Free National Help Line 📱
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 @thenwsn 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. ❤️
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With the guidance and support of the transitional program and Teresa Shelter staff, I am working hard at moving forward and reaching goals to transition into a better life.