The Mankato Makerspace, at 1700 Third Ave., can be a place where a layperson goes to take a course in woodworking or glass torching. It can be a haven for hobbyists who need tools and for artists who aspire to make a living off their work.
Or, if you’re like Caleb Stoner, it can be a space that practically saves your life.
The 27-year-old said Sunday that he came to Mankato from Waseca in 2017 without clear future ambitions or goals.
He worked for basic income and got by. In his free time he began volunteering at the Makerspace and making art.
It was his “functioning adult” period, he says, but it preceded debilitating mental health issues that spanned nearly a year.
His deteriorating health led to a return…
