In an effort that should inspire anyone seeking a second chance to turn his or her life around, 39-year-old Oscar Abrons III spends his days leading a crew of men who are rebuilding the breathtaking canyon trails and prized beaches of Malibu following the largest wildfire in Malibu’s history, which consumed nearly 97,000 acres in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
As manager of the Woolsey Park Project for Five Keys Schools and Programs, Abrons leads two crews who have been working almost daily to restore the hiking trails, access roads and campsites that were ravaged during the 2018 Woolsey Fire, leaving the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the largest urban park in the country, looking like a war zone.
During these uncertain times, his hard work and that of his team are a reason for hope, an inspiration that communities can band together to pull themselves and each other out of despair and build
new life.
For Abrons, who grew up about an hour away from the hills of Malibu in San Pedro, CA, laboring with his crew to transform the devastation into new life speaks volumes about his own and the community of support and second chances he found at Five Keys, following his own journey in and out of jail from ages 23 to 34.
“We have a great sense of pride knowing that we’ve faced some bad times in our lives, but that we can work hard together to create a better way,” says Abrons about the eight men he works with on the two crews he oversees, all of whom at one point in their lives have been incarcerated. “Five Keys changed my life dramatically with all the support they gave me.”
It was about five years ago when Abrons said he was taking a painting class behind bars and met Dave Bates, director of transitional employment and re-entry for Five Keys.
“Coming out of jail and prison, I must have gone on 10 to 15 job interviews that were going nowhere,” says Abrons. “No one wanted someone who has been in jail and prison. But the support I found through Dave and everyone at Five Keys, it turned me around and showed me I can do something positive with my life.”
His first job: A crew member for Five Key’s Cal Fire Crew. Recently, he was promoted as manager of the crews. Prior to COVID-19, he oversaw two crews of eight members each. They were cut in half during the pandemic.
“Oscar aka (OB) , has been a tremendous addition to our Transitional re-entry team,” says Bates. “His attention to detail, punctuality and people skills has elevated him above the rest of his crew. I am confident knowing that when a task is given to him or research that is required, I can rest assured that it will be handled. I have had the pleasure to watch OB grow from unemployment to a line staff and into a leadership role. “
Now Abrons says his favorite part of the work is mentoring other crew members.
“All of us have been in transition from incarceration, some of the crew are ex-lifers,” says Abrons. “I like to help them know that they are not alone. Help is out there. None of us can do it alone. Everybody needs help and that is what our work together is. I tell them I want to see all of them succeed. I want to see all of them shine.”
In the meantime, when there are now red flag warnings of other fires in the Los Angeles area, Abrons and his crew head to the trails, beaches and dunes to clear the ashes and prove that everyone can recover, no matter what fires have ravaged their lives and tried to blacken and destroy the beauty. For Abrons and his crew, that means returning to the charred hiss, removing the debris, and planting the seeds of new life.