Print As an aspiring ballerina growing up in the white, middle-class suburbs of Detroit, Caryn Blanton was fascinated by people from diverse backgrounds — whether from a different race or culture or socioeconomic status. Even at an early age, though, she was more interested in the similarities that connected people, rather than differences between them. Upon graduating from high school, she traveled and performed professionally with the Milwaukee Ballet, before arriving in San Diego and beginning her work in community development. She now acts as a bridge, still focused on identifying similarities that connect very different people to one another. She is the co-chair of the Board of Directors and acting executive director for Shoreline Community Services, a nonprofit that is focused on eliminating homelessness in San Diego’s central beach area , which includes Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and up to La Jolla Shores. The community recently recognized her with the Ellen Citrano Caring and Compassion Award.