Women who have faced the troubles of their past and found healing to move forward share their struggles and model their successes as peer counselors to other women at the Center for Women's Ministries.
About 14 women have completed the extensive training. Most are not professionals and will recommend a client seek mental health care, if warranted.
For about 45 women each year, who walk into the center for the first time, what they need most is a safe environment, someone to listen and encouragement.
"Primarily, we help meet the needs of people who have broken relationships," said volunteer director Janice Webb.
At the 3405 Knipp Drive office, they also have a massage therapist and a child play therapist.
The center, which has been in Jefferson City since 2003, also is a location for casual gatherings and fun fellowship.
Volunteers also host specialized book studies as needed, such as the "Living Life Live" study which will begin at 1 p.m. Monday. Call 573-353-7224 for a reservation.
For the peer counseling, Webb visits with each potential client and then matches their needs with one of the trained volunteers.
"It takes a lot of courage to come in and show your deepest hurts," she said. "It's very painful to delve into your junk."
The counselors' are trained in 40 specific areas which may affect clients. Most of the issues are the result of poor choices or past abuse, Webb said.
For some needs women have, male pastors may not be equipped to handle, she said.
But, "we are not here in competition with the church," Webb stressed.
As director since 2011, she also cares for the counselors, Webb said. She retired in 2009 after 26 years as director of Prison Fellowship Ministries.
"Our people want to help others because they've been helped themselves," she said.
Since the women's ministry has no paid staff and all the services are free to clients, its budget to cover rent, utilities and teaching materials comes primarily from cinnamon roll sales.
Although the ministry makes its Christian foundation clear, about half of its clients are of a different faith or claim no religion.
Webb attributes that mostly to the free services. Counseling centers in town sometimes will recommend them to patients who have no insurance.
More than a decade after opening, though, many residents still haven't heard about their ministry.
"We're almost a well-kept secret," Webb said.