Henry Segerstrom honored by youth service

Deepa Bharath

A local organization that helps young adults find jobs honored Henry

Segerstrom at its annual fund-raiser on Thursday night.

Youth Employment Services’ 30th annual Roman Feast and Silent

Auction drew hundreds from the Newport-Mesa area.

President David Calderon said the organization chose Segerstrom,

managing partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, which manages South Coast

Plaza, because he has “been the pillar of the local community.”

“He is a patron of the arts and a benefactor of the community,”

Calderon said. “We wanted to pick someone who is almost synonymous

with Costa Mesa.”

The Charles John Segerstrom family came to Orange County from

Sweden in 1898. They started off by growing lima beans in 20 acres of

leased land. Over the last 50 years, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons has

developed the family’s land into one of the largest retail and

entertainment hubs in the nation.

Accepting the honor Thursday, Segerstrom said he and his family

are proud of what they have been able to accomplish in Costa Mesa.

“To be recognized in your own community is the greatest

recognition you can ever get,” he said.

South Coast Plaza does business in excess of $1 billion,

Segerstrom said.

“And it all benefits Costa Mesa,” he said.

Joseph Warren, captain of the riverboat Angela Louise, said the

Segerstrom family has made tremendous contributions to the area.

“Without them, this community wouldn’t exist,” he said.

Over the last year, YES has provided jobs for about 1,500 young

people, board member Richard Watts said.

“Our mission is to help young people with everything from building

a resume to helping them acquire the necessary skills to secure a

job,” he said.

Calderon said the challenge over the last year has been “to stay

afloat.”

“These are tough times,” he said. “We’re trying to keep our

grass-roots support so we can help the kids get jobs and help build

up their self-esteem.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.