Erik Bonta, 43, of Jefferson City, lived in a decrepit two-bedroom apartment for nearly 17 years.
A cook at Madison's Cafe, he spent his days preparing meals for hungry customers. When he returned home, cooking was a challenge. His stove burners would often fall apart when he tried. Because the stove condition was unpredictable, Bonta passed on cooking for family and friends.
He no longer has to constantly worry about failing appliances or other woes that come with a broken-down place.
The River City Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson City handed Bonta keys to his new home on Edmonds Street on Thursday. The home is Habitat's 95th in Jefferson City.
To earn the home, Bonta helped build it and other Habitat homes, totaling more than the 350 required sweat equity hours. He also worked at Habitat's ReStore, a re-sale shop where home decor and furnishings are sold to benefit future Habitat homes. Bonta attended classes on finance, and home maintenance and ownership in preparation.
Start to finish, the process took him two years.
"It feels unreal," he said in his living room Thursday.
Kelly Smith, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, said Bonta exemplifies what the organization looks for in a homeowner.
"The Habitat program is based on partnership," she said. "He's demonstrated all the qualities of partnership. He works very hard in his job, but's he's also worked hard at the ReStore and building of other homes."
Habitat for Humanity has partnered with Jefferson City Public Schools (JCPS) Nichols Career Center since 2010, giving students a hands-on opportunity to construct a home.
About 60 students in three different classes had a part in the Bonta's home construction, said Mike Schaefer, building trades instructor.
The HVAC class installed the furnace and air conditioning and the building trades 1 class built the cabinetry.
Schaefer's students in the building trades 2 class constructed the home from August-May. They learned how to work with concrete, and construct walls, floors, roofing and stairs.
"Because of the partnership we have with Habitat, the students feel a sense of ownership, that they are really doing this for somebody," Schaefer said. "They take a lot of pride in their work."
Joe Hartness, 18, was one of the students who built the home. He said he enjoyed working on a project that enhanced his skill set while changing Bonta's life.
"It was awesome to do something that makes a difference for somebody," Hartness said.
The Jefferson City Housing Authority donated the property.