My name is Cozzie

I came to the Teresa Shelter for the third time in August 2021. The past times I stayed in the program, I wasn’t ready to make the change I needed. After years of struggling with relationships, using substances, and not putting myself first, I entered the program finally ready to make a change. Staff supported me through some of the hardest times in my life. I was tempted to turn back to old habits when things got hard but I persevered. I was able to secure employment, start saving money, and work on myself.

I moved to the Maria House in January 2022. I have been employed at my current job for the past 8 months and am now 19 months sober! I am grateful for the support and know that I would not be who I am today without staff holding me accountable, challenging me, and motivating me to keep moving forward. I have been given the opportunity to move into the Francis Apartments. I am very excited to have a home of my
own and continue living the life I want to live. —Cozzie

Opening Doors is a nonprofit organization that helps women and children who are experiencing homelessness.  We provide goal setting and life skills training that enable them to achieve their full potential.  We offer a hand up in the world, not a handout. Since 2000, Opening Doors has served thousands women and children through a continuum of services. Teresa Shelter offers emergency and extended stay programs. Maria House offers transitional housing for up to two years. Francis Apartments offers an opportunity for income-based affordable housing with support services; a combination that has proven to be effective at ending the cycle of homelessness.