In Duluth, Another Door Shelter is a collaborative effort fueled by determination, cooperation and generosity. Key partners include Chum, Lutheran Social Service and Peace Church with support from many other organizations. The shelter is opening its doors to homeless youth in our community in January 2025. More than a shelter, this center will be a place where young people can find stability, guidance, and a chance to reclaim their futures.
This milestone is more than bricks and mortar. It’s the culmination of a shared vision by local nonprofits, businesses, and donors who saw an urgent need and responded with action.
The Power of One Inspiring Many
In projects as ambitious as this one, which involved repurposing a wing of Peach Church, challenges are inevitable. Funding is often the greatest hurdle, but it’s also where community champions emerge to turn dreams into reality.
One of those champions is Dave Goldberg, a local philanthropist whose $200,000 donation was instrumental in bringing the project to life. Goldberg’s bold generosity didn’t just provide critical funding—it ignited a movement. Inspired by his leadership, other local donors stepped forward, transforming his single act of giving into a wave of support.
“Dave’s gift was more than just a donation,” shared Shaun Floerke, CEO & President of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. “It was a catalyst. He reminded us all of the incredible power of believing in the potential of our youth and investing in their futures. His generosity inspired others to give. Together, they helped bring this project across the finish line.
Turning Vision into Reality
Another Door Shelter is designed to be more than a temporary solution. Its mission is to provide holistic support, helping young people transition from survival to success. Residents will gain access to education, job training, mental health services, and a network of caring mentors—tools that build a foundation for lifelong independence.
The shelter’s name, “Another Door,” symbolizes opportunity: the idea that even when one door closes, another can open if someone is there to turn the handle.
A Community Effort
This project would not have been possible without the collective spirit of Duluth. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration: a church donating space, nonprofits bringing expertise, businesses and government entities contributing resources, and individuals giving with open hearts.
Goldberg’s leadership inspired an influx of support, but every donor, no matter the size of their gift, played a role in making this shelter a reality.
How You Can Help
Another Door Shelter is just the beginning for Stepping On Up, a 10-agency collective dedicated to a community-wide plan to end unsheltered homelessness and to provide people with dignified, person-centered opportunities for long-term housing stability. There is still work to be done to ensure that every young person in Duluth has access to a safe space and the resources they need to thrive. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Donate: Help purchase necessary supplies and furnishing at Another Door Shelter through their Gift Registry
- Volunteer: Share your time and skills to support the shelter’s programs.
- Spread the Word: Share the story of Another Door Shelter with your network.
When we come together as a community, we create the kind of change that lasts for generations. Another Door Shelter is a symbol of what we can achieve when innovation and compassion drives action. As the shelter opens its doors, we celebrate this incredible milestone—and commit to keeping them open for every young person who needs a way forward.
Thank you to the many individuals and organizations that are playing an active role in end unsheltered homelessness in our community.
