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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As part of Women’s History Month, we’re continuing to highlight the voices behind the scenes - the women who help guide Opening Doors through leadership, advocacy, and stewardship. Today we’re honored to recognize Sr. Quincy Howard, Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, whose connection to our mission is deeply rooted in service and legacy. “It is a gift of the legacy of my Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters to serve on the Opening Doors board. It is such a rewarding ministry to support the staff and the women who stay with us.” For Sr. Quincy, the mission resonates because it centers on helping women and their children regain stability and confidence. “Opening Doors offers women and their children the support they need to gain agency, become empowered, and feel confident as they navigate a difficult world.” She shares that being part of the board is both meaningful and inspiring. “It is an honor to be associated with an organization that has such a strong track record of serving Dubuque’s unhoused women and children. It is encouraging to watch Opening Doors continue to meet the needs of women and families in our community.” We are grateful for the continued partnership and leadership of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, whose legacy has helped shape the mission of Opening Doors from the very beginning. #WomensHistoryMonth #OpeningDoorsDBQ #WomenWhoLead #behindthemission Video - Kodiak Creative Graphics - Adele Herman
Thank you to the Women's Giving Circle of Greater Dubuque for kicking off another year of community partnership, growth, and philanthropy. It’s a great reminder that meaningful financial impact often starts small and with time, intention, and community, it grows into something powerful. The group launched its milestone year Wednesday evening at Convivium Urban Farmstead in true Women’s Giving Circle fashion: bringing people together for celebration, learning, and connection. Guests enjoyed Convivium’s delicious casseroles from their free Community Casserole Program—an initiative the Women’s Giving Circle has proudly supported through its grantmaking. In a creative nod to the theme of the year, Membership Chair Amy McClure led attendees in a tea-dunking moment, with everyone dipping tea bags into hot cups of water. Each guest also received a teacup and saucer to take home as a reminder of how small contributions, when combined, can create lasting impact. Grateful to be part of a community that continues to invest in programs that strengthen and uplift our neighbors.
Today kicks off the Celebration International Women’s Day Weekend with Purpose. Join us at Caroline's Restaurant March 6th–8th as we celebrate International Women’s Day in a meaningful way. When you dine during this special weekend, 10% of all sales will go directly to Opening Doors. This partnership is important because it reflects what community collaboration truly looks like. By coming together, a local restaurant and a local nonprofit can create real impact for women and children in Dubuque. Celebrate International Women’s Day by showing up in more than one way - eat local, give back, and stand with women in our community. - Hotel Julien Dubuque
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting some the team from the @dbqfoundation at Opening Doors for a tour of the shelter. As deeply rooted community partners, their commitment to understanding and advocating for our mission is just the beginning of how meaningful change happens. When partners step inside our programs, they see firsthand how a program-first approach provides the structure, support, and accountability that helps women and families move from crisis to stability and independence. For 25 years, the Dubuque Community Foundation has been a valued partner in strengthening our community and supporting the work of Opening Doors. Their continued investment in local organizations helps create pathways forward for the women and their children we serve every day. Thank you to the team for taking the time to visit, learn, and stand alongside us in this work. Partnerships like this are what make long-term impact possible.
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.