We recently connected with Jessi Keenan and have shared our conversation below.

Jessi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

There have been many meaningful projects in my 47 years but creating The Orange Cooler Project was one of the most eye opening and difficult things I have ever done.
In 2020 I drove from Los Angeles to Washington DC crossing the country as an activist in cities such as Portland, Seattle, LA, San Diego, and DC.
I participated in many protests, as a mutual aid provider with my own money. If someone needed something, I did my best to help in any way I could. What I discovered was how many homeless people there were EVERYWHERE I went. Campgrounds I stayed in, major cities, and small communities. When I returned back to LA, I wanted to help those who were in my own city. That’s when I discovered Skid Row and the homeless encampment just one block from my apartment with over 50 people living on the street in tents and makeshift tarp homes.
I committed myself everyday to these human beings who after time became like family to me.
When it rained, I brought brooms and cleared out the gutters so it wouldn’t flood. I gave each person an Orange Cooler and made a deal with the local ice warehouse to get 24 bags of ice daily to pass out in the morning.
I was their nurse, patching up wounds of those who refused to go to the hospital. I was their resource guide, physically taking them to city services. I would charge their phones so they could make appointments.
I provided NARCAN and personally revived two people who had flatlined and overdosed on Fentenyl.
I made sure every person on Aetna street (in my neighborhood) survived for 4 years.
Unfortunately, on Sept 3 2024 the new city council woman named Padilla put a fence around Aetna street to get rid of the encampment for good. This caused the people living on the street to scatter back into the neighborhoods. FOUR people died within 3 weeks. I learned so much doing what I did and will continue to guide and help those that I can.
But it takes everything from you. I’m now learning to find the balance of taking care of myself and others.
Aetna street in Van Nuys, CA is still fenced up to this day.
I learned all about City Government and the lack of. The city doesn’t want to support those who are actually doing the dirty work. They keep giving money to the large non=profits who pay themselves MILLIONS in salary. I am proud of what I’ve done. Last Friday I spoke at the LA City Council meeting and specifically called out that councilwoman who put up that fence. I was scared because I don’t really speak publicly, but am a much stronger person now that I’ve done it once.
I look forward to educating myself even more about what each org is doing and NOT doing, yet SAY they do.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was a child singer. On Star Search at the age of 12 I grew up in Iowa but was flown out to LA to tape the show.
It was at that young age that I fell in love with Los Angeles. I knew at age 18 I would be free to move to LA and that’s exactly what I did. I had a long career as a singer and dabbled in acting when the opportunity came up.
By the age on 19 I was singing as the Little Mermaid for Disney in their stage show. I was Aaron Carter’s back-up singer. I sang back up for Tenacious D at their festival. These are just some of the gigs I did over the years and have many hilarious Hollywood stories you wouldn’t believe lol. Yes, I lived thru the pop-boyband-era… and survived lol.
I’m only here still because 12 years ago I quit drinking and all the partying that goes along with that. I replaced my party girl lifestyle with work. Today I love doing voice=over and helping others. Some of my VO roles include: Red Dead Redemption II, Final Fantasy, and Shadowverse to name a few videogames I’ve worked on.
I have a home studio and can do what I do from anywhere now.
Now, I’m addicted to work and helping others achieve their dreams by teaching voiceover privately.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I’ve decided to base my business in Iowa as of June 2024.
There were many factors that helped me decide to move closer to my family.
I realized that the city of LA has a lot to figure out for itself. The cost of living has gone haywire and pay for actors is not keeping up. Creating my own projects is the direction I want to go and I can do that closer to my family, whom are most important. The Orange Cooler project continues as I guide those who want help to the resources I know of that are ACTUALLY doing what they say.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

SUPPORT THE SMALLER NON=PROFITS or Creative Artists WHO YOU SEE DOING THE WORK WITH YOUR OWN EYES.
Buy tickets directly and KNOW where your money is going. There are a lot of scams out there. And some of these scam artists are even being recognized by City Council. Lots of lobbying going on by the already rich. Stop making them richer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.orangecoolerproject.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orangecoolerproject/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessikeenanVO
• Twitter: https://x.com/Jessi_Keenan
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessikeenan

Image Credits

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