Opening Doors

Opening Doors: Empowering Women and Children Experiencing Homelessness

Opening Doors is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women and children who are experiencing homelessness in the Dubuque community. We believe in offering a hand up, not a handout—providing the tools, resources, and compassionate support that empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.

Since opening our doors in 2000, we have served more than 4,700 women and children through a continuum of care that meets them where they are and helps them move forward. Our three housing programs are designed to provide not just shelter, but stability, structure, and support:

• Teresa Shelter offers emergency and extended-stay housing, helping women in crisis take their first steps toward stability.

• Maria House provides transitional housing for up to two years, giving women the time and support needed to rebuild their lives.

• Francis Apartments features income-based permanent housing with supportive services, creating a long-term solution for sustained independence.

At Opening Doors, we do more than provide a safe place to sleep. We guide women through individualized goal-setting, life skills training, and access to vital community resources—empowering them to reclaim their lives, care for their children, and realize their full potential.

Together, we open doors to hope, healing, and a brighter future.