Christopher Gautam Hota’s journey has taken him across the Midwest, from Ohio to Indiana, from Arkansas to Illinois. It is a story marked by both struggle and hope — a proof to the impact a single act of kindness can have on a person’s life.
Christopher’s path to Bloomington was far from linear. Born in Louisiana and raised throughout the Midwest, he moved often due to his parents’ work with the VA hospital system.
His early career was promising; he found his niche in technology while studying in Milwaukee, eventually landing a role as a network administrator at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. But life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with late-onset schizophrenia. The illness upended his career, leading him to cash out his retirement savings and drift from place to place, searching for stability.
He spent time in Austin, Texas, working for a dot-com startup, only to find himself in an environment that grew too fast for his liking. His next few years saw him moving from one city to another, taking jobs at convenience stores, struggling with mental health challenges, and, at times, seeking shelter wherever he could. He even turned to online message boards, asking strangers for a place to stay. A response led him to Farmer City, Illinois, but the situation proved unsafe, forcing him to leave and seek refuge at Neville House, a domestic violence shelter in Bloomington, IL. There, he began piecing his life back together. Christopher’s earliest memories of the YMCA trace back to Lima, Ohio, where he first learned to swim as a child. Decades later, the YMCA in Bloomington-Normal became much more than just a place to exercise, it became his sanctuary in a time of dire need.
In October 2023, Christopher found himself being unhoused and jobless, without a steady source of income. Friends had pitched in to cover his YMCA membership for a few months, knowing how crucial a place to shower and maintain personal dignity was during his job search. But as funds dwindled, he faced a hard decision: cancel his membership or continue seeking support. Christopher walked into the YMCA, ready to say goodbye.
Instead, he met Eryn Rask and Brad Ruehrdanz, two staff members who saw beyond his immediate struggles. “The sincere compassion with which you listened to and sympathized with the goings-on in my life was meaningful in a way that I find difficult to convey in words,” he later wrote in a heartfelt note of gratitude. Brad assured Christopher that no one would be turned away due to an inability to pay, offering him three free months and a reduced membership rate thereafter. That moment marked the beginning of his journey back to stability. With a place to shower, rest, and connect with others, Christopher regained his footing. He secured a job, rekindled his passion for Bible study, and found a sense of belonging among the people he met at the Y. Whether it was in the locker room or during a casual basketball game, he encountered friendly faces, some of whom had been his customers at a local restaurant where he worked. Even his physician turned out to be a fellow YMCA member.
One of the first things he did upon gaining some stability was join the YMCA in 2016. Over the years, it has remained a cornerstone of his routine, whether he had a home or not. “The Y has been a place to go, both when I had a home and while I was homeless — looking for jobs, having a job, coming to have fun and swim,” Christopher reflects. “It’s a place to rest, be in a good environment, and meet friendly people.” The YMCA also became a backdrop for his spiritual practice. He regularly participated in Bible study over FaceTime with his family, a ritual they maintained six days a week. Sometimes, he would find a quiet corner at the Y to read, other times, he would meet people in the new chapel space, appreciating the sense of peace it provided.
Now, Christopher is focused on personal growth, both in life and on the basketball court. A right-handed shooter, he’s working on perfecting his left-handed jump shot. “I’m still only about 30% successful at it,” he laughs, “but I figure I have years to go.” For Christopher, the YMCA is more than just a fitness center. It’s a symbol of community, support, and second chances. “There are a lot of resources available here to help people recover from obstacles in their lives, and I really appreciate that about the Y,” he says.
His journey has been anything but easy, but through perseverance, faith, and the kindness of those around him, Christopher Hota has found his way forward — one step and one new beginning at a time.