News Room

Keep up-to-date on the latest and greatest happenings at Opening Doors. Stories here might feature our volunteers, donors, or programming. For more information contact Ann Lorenz, Development & Marketing Director, at 563-582-7480 or [email protected]

2024

Lauren Krapfl promoted to Case Manager (March 11, 2024)
Lauren Krapfl was promoted to Case Manager.  She previously served as our Program Support Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator. Click here for more information.

Popular “Filling Your Cup” event expands to two sessions! (February 6, 2024)
Our popular “Filling Your Cup” event sold out months in advance its first two years.  Our 3rd annual event on Thursday, June 27, 2024 will feature two session options for our guests. Click here for more information.

Opening Doors Welcomes 2 New Board Members (January 17, 2024)
Opening Doors is pleased two announce the addition of two new board members and our new executive team.  Click here for more information.

2023

Theisen’s Awards $1,500 for Mental Health Staff Training (December 28, 2023)
Theisen’s provides funds for training for 12 program staff!  Click here for more information.

Multi-faceted grant from ACT funds top needs for Opening Doors. (November 29, 2023)
Opening Doors received a second year of funding from ACT!  Click here for more information.

Variety Club provides $5,000 in grant funding for children. (September 25, 2023)
Variety Club grant funds educational toys, supplies and medication for children experiencing homelessness!  Click here for more information.

11th Year of Funding from McDonough Foundation. (July 31, 2023)
McDonough Foundation awards $10K grant for Permanent Supportive Housing!  Click here for more information.

Opening Doors receives a 3-year $30K DRA grant ($10K/Year). (July 27, 2023)
Opening Doors receives grant for our permanent supportive housing program!  Click here for more information.

Opening Doors welcomes Lauren Krapfl (May 17, 2023)
Lauren Krapfl joined our team as Program Support Specialist.  She will also lead our volunteer team.  Click here for more information.

Opening Doors awarded $5,000 grant from Andersen Corporate Foundation (May 10, 2023)
A $5,000 grant from Andersen Corporate Foundation will provide vital funding for Teresa Shelter, our largest program for women and children experiencing homelessness.  Click here for more information.

2nd annual “Filling Your Cup” coming June 29 (April 19, 2023)
Join us for the 2nd annual “Filling Your Cup” featuring Kelly Swanson on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at the Hotel Julien.  Click here for more information.

Trivia Bowl Rescheduled to March 2 (February 9, 2023)
Due to a snow storm on February 9, our annual Trivia Bowl event has been rescheduled to March 2.  Click here for more information.

2022

Theisen’s Awards $2,000 Grant (December 20, 2022)
Opening Doors awards $2,000 grant for Children’s Activity Fund.  Click here for more information.

Staff Promotions (December 14, 2022)
Opening Doors announces four staff promotions.  Click here for more information.

Change Healthcare – New International Grantor (October 10, 2022)
Opening Doors is pleased to welcome Change Healthcare as a new grantor.  This multi-faceted will be used for basic supplies and medical needs not covered by insurance.

Two Sister Communities Award Ministry Fund Grants (September 22, 2022)
Grants that fund salaries are not easy to come by!  This month Opening Doors received two!

Variety Club Awards $3,000 for Children Experiencing Homelessness (September 20, 2022)
Variety Club’s awards a ninth year of funding for children.

Erin Dema joins the staff as Office Manager (September 9, 2022)
Opening Doors is pleased to welcome our new office manager to the team!

McDonough Foundation Awards $10K for Permanent Supportive Housing program (July 29, 2022)
McDonough Foundation grant will help with rent subsidies and other program expenses.

New Grantor for Opening Doors – ACT Corporate Giving! (July 15, 2022).
Opening Doors welcomes ACT who awarded a $2,500 Life Skills Education grant.

Dubuque County Supervisors Award $20,000 Grant! (July 14, 2022)
Dubuque County Supervisors grant award will provide salary support for Case Managers.

Opening Doors Staff News (June 3, 2022)
Opening Doors is pleased to announce the promotion of Emily Sass to the position of Case Manager.

Opening Doors Received $30,000 in United Way Funding! (May 4, 2022)
Opening Doors is proud to be a United Way agency for 21 years! Click here for more information on our recent $30K grant award.

Opening Doors Welcomes New Board Members (April 14, 2022)
Opening Doors welcomes Gary Collins and Andy Schroeder to our Board of Directors!

Dubuque County Awards $20,000 Grant to Opening Doors! (February 28, 2022)
Opening Doors received a $20,000 grant award to partially cover the salaries of two full-time Case Managers!

Opening Doors Annual Trivia Bowl (January 13, 2022)
Gather your teammates for Opening Doors’ Trivia Bowl on Friday, February 11 at the Diamond Jo Casino!

Opening Doors Unveils a New Event! (January 13, 2022)
Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 30 for an uplifting and transformative breakfast event featuring international speaker and award-winning author Annie Meehan. Sponsored by Hotel Julien Dubuque.

2021

Sisters Award Two Ministry Fund Grants (December 10, 2021)
Opening Doors was awarded Ministry Fund Grants from Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters ($17,000) and the Sisters of St. Francis ($6,000) to be used toward program staff salaries.

Staff Promotion for Audrey Hinz (November 2, 2021)
Opening Doors is pleased to announce that Audrey Hinz has been promoted to Case Manager.  She was previously the Program Support Specialist.

“Attitude of Gratitude” Celebrates 20 Years! (September 27, 2021)
Opening Doors’ annual fall gala is celebrating 20 years on November 20, 2021.  Tickets are $75 – CLICK HERE to purchase.  Doors open at 4:30/Program 6 PM.  CLICK HERE to bid auction items.

Wahlert Foundation Support Tops $70K (September 30, 2021)
Opening Doors has received a $2,000 grant from The Wahlert Foundation for women who have experienced homelessness and are reentering the workforce.  Since 2000, the Foundation has donated $70,830 to Opening Doors!

Variety Grants $5,000 for Children’s Supplies (September 17, 2021)
Variety – the Children’s Charity awarded Opening Doors with a $5,000 grant to fund children’s supplies for our emergency shelter at Teresa Shelter.

Iowa Women’s Foundation Awards $8,000 Grant! (September 7, 2021)
Opening Doors is pleased to announce an $8,000 “First Steps to Self Sufficiency” Grant from the Iowa Women’s Foundation!

DRA Awards $25,000 Grant for Maria House Project (August 23, 2021)
Opening Doors is pleased to announce a grant award of $25,000 from the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA).  This award is the largest DRA grant in Opening Doors’ history!

New Fund Honors the Legacy of Sr. Helen Huewe (August 12, 2021)
Opening Doors unveils the Hope & Healing Fund made possibly by the generosity of Joe & Linda Chlapaty. For more information, or to make a gift to the fund, visit www.openingdoorsdbq.org/hopeandhealing.

McDonough Foundation Surpasses $100K in Support! (August 4, 2021)
The McDonough Foundation granted $10K for “On My Own” program.  Total giving surpasses $100K over 9 years!

$10,000 from Andersen Corporate Foundation! (June 7, 2021)
Andersen Corporate Foundation has donated almost $98,000 in grants since 2007!  Read all about our 2021 grant!

First Grant from American Family Dreams Foundation (May 24, 2021)
Opening Doors received a $5,000 grant from the American Family Dreams Foundation. The grant will fund a variety of needs at Teresa Shelter.

20th Year of United Way Funding! (May 5, 2021)
Opening Doors is proud to be a United Way agency!  This year’s funding will support the programs at Teresa Shelter.

Walmart Awards $1,000 Community Grant (March 23, 2021)
$1,000 Grant from the Walmart Community Grants team will fund emergency shelter supplies.

Opening Doors Announces New Board Members (March 3, 2021)
Opening Doors adds three new board members.  Katie McClain, Betsy McCloskey and Krista Sigman

Dubuque Racing Association (DRA) $5,500 Grant Award (February 4, 2021)
Opening Doors is pleased to announce a grant award of $5,500 from the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA). This award will fund two replacement phone servers and two new laptops for program staff.