Jessy Schram lives a busy life. You may know her from her starring lead roles in Hallmark films such as A Royal New Year’s Eve, The Birthday Wish, Road to Christmas, and Harvest Moon; or perhaps you have seen her in Season Five of NBC’s Chicago Med, where Jessy plays a complex OB-GYN surgeon, Dr. Hannah Asher. The star has a passion for music that she was able to share with viewers in her most recent Hallmark Channel Movie, Country at Heart. Jessy loves entertaining and storytelling, and we were also able to discuss another thing that is close to her heart: helping those in need. Jessy has a demonstrated history of working with philanthropies like Corazon De Vida and Red Eye to help people of all ages secure basic human needs. Her work with Support and Feed and Dine11 is her most recent way of helping her community by distributing plant-based meals to the homeless and health care workers in the Los Angeles area during COVID-19. How does one balance a career with philanthropic work, as well as stay positive during COVID-19? Read our interview below for Jessy’s insights.

Where are you based?
Los Angeles, CA.

What inspired you to get into acting?
I’ve been in the business since I was a kid. My siblings and I always had hours of recordings on our VHS camera of pretend commercials or music videos. The acting bug and the desire to want to be on the “real TV” definitely started there. I’ve always had a big imagination and loved being around crews of people while sharing and creating something. I’d be a performer whether it was for people or just in my room by myself. As I’ve grown older, the reasons to keep acting have taken on a journey of its own but my inspiration always comes back to that purpose of telling a story, affecting others, and creating an experience with groups of people.

You play the lead role as a struggling Nashville singer/songwriter, ‘Shayna Cook" in the Hallmark Channel original movie “Country at Heart". Your off-screen self bears many similarities to this character, most obviously, being a female musician. Do you find that your roles and real-life often overlap? What was it like playing Shayna?
I do find they overlap. I think when it comes to Shayna, I can relate most to being in the film and TV world, how Shayna relates to the music world. It’s a career where you need to be constantly available and interviewing with every opportunity you have. More often than not, more doors close than open. It’s a constant rollercoaster. At times I can feel like I don’t have a space in the industry anymore or I question my abilities… those are the times to step back and look at it as if this dream is the dream worth chasing. And maybe instead of chasing it, I should find a different way to be in it. Shayna gets confidence through opportunities and the people supporting and reminding her of her spirit- I relate to that.

There are strong performative aspects to both music and acting. How do these components compare?
They’re so different and yet so similar!!! I’m still learning in both. One thing I’ve found interesting though is that as a musician, you are it. You can play emotions or step into others’ shoes- but you ultimately are the face of the artist doing that. As an actor, you’re stepping into the shoes of others and though you’re the artist, you’re not stating “this is ME.” You get to step behind a character more. Acting can go deep and touch vulnerabilities in yourself and lets you explore your own avenues, but playing your own music, to me personally, feels much more exposing.

As we know healthcare professionals are faced with a particularly stressful job during calmer times, at the height of the pandemic medical staff were under unforeseen levels of trauma. You played ‘Dr. Hannah Asher’ an OB-GYN surgeon, on NBC's “Chicago Med”. Given your role, did you feel a sort of affinity/solidarity with medical workers?
As the pandemic was hitting, I was filming Chicago Med and learning much more about the everyday work lives of healthcare professionals; getting to know some surgeons, doctors, or nurses on a more personal level and step alongside them in their daily work. I got to see people that are human, doing extraordinary things on a daily basis firsthand. I continue to think about when they go home at night, the families they are trying to protect while trying to help others, and that they’re our superheroes that need to eat, sleep and breathe just like everyone else. I feel protective, grateful, and in deep gratitude for them. On top of “regular” traumas and patients, a pandemic is added, they deserve all the appreciation we think to give and more.

As an actress who has appeared in numerous television movies, do you feel the practice of television movies will become more common as COVID-19 persists?
To be honest, I think TV movies will exist as much as they already have! The only way we get to do any type of work is if we take care of each other and ourselves, follow protocols, and treat things as safely as possible. I hope all types of productions will continue and it’ll just depend on the safety of our sets!

The entertainment world has been heavily hit by COVID. How has COVID impacted your life — both in regards to acting, music and otherwise?
It’s changed everything! I never thought I’d see a day when the entertainment industry shut down and it did. I think being forced to take a break was essential. I think because everyone was in this shut down together, in some ways it made it easier to settle into while still being completely unsettling in all regards. The part of COVID quarantine that affected my life positively was that I had the opportunity to prioritize things that I maybe have always pushed to the side. In a time where everything feels disconnected and divided, I also found connection and unity. Those bonds and ways of moving forward will have a lasting impact.

Jejune loves how active you are in humanitarian work. You have worked with orphanages through Corazon De Vida? Can you tell us a little bit about this work and why it is important to you?
Corazon De Vida is an amazing organization that helps orphans in Baja, Mexico have a safe place to live and they help provide them with life tools and paths to take. One thing to remember is that orphanages in the region are not given any financial support from the government; support comes only through donations and personal help. When I first joined the organization over 12 years ago, the main focus was fixing plumbing, basic healthy nutrition, safe structures to live in, and medical care. The basic health necessities that every human being deserves. It then progressed to things like supplying a washer in one of the homes so that the women taking care of the kids didn’t need to hand wash 118 school uniforms! The organization then focused on sending kids of every age from over 12 different homes to school, providing all supplies and uniforms, and giving an opportunity to receive an education to build a life off of. Trades are taught to the teenagers so that they can depend on themselves and make a living and have options. And at this moment in time, Corazon De Vida has more than a handful of kids in college, working towards careers as doctors, lawyers and so many other things that were otherwise a rare option. They go far beyond providing basic needs and provide a foundation, education, and skills to give options and opportunities.

The homelessness crisis in LA is rapidly growing. Continuing on with your humanitarian efforts, how did you link up Red Eye to assist with issues in skid row and other hard-hit areas?
I found Red Eye years ago when I was looking to volunteer hands-on locally. One of the things I love about them is that they not only want to help an issue, but their goal is to bring support, joy, and a good day on top of it! In the last few years they took over the community center in Watts and have been responsible for creating after-school programs, food drives, youth mentoring and so much more. During COVID-19 times they’ve delivered thousands of meals and sanitary supplies to the community.

Our country is in the biggest depression we have ever seen, and many are going hungry. A lot of people have been unsure how to give back during this time, but you have been fast to act. You have been working with Support and Feed (a plant-based food program delivery) this week and Dine11, both of which deliver food to those in need. Have you been doing any physical runs yourself? What has this experience been like? Why did you choose to work with these organizations? Are you still actively working with these groups?
I am still in active support of these groups. I’ve also been able to do a few physical runs for Support and Feed. Each pick-up and drop-off has been a different experience in terms of how hands-on the volunteers are able to be, but each one has been rewarding and full of new information (and always followed safety protocol for COVID times, which is massively important). In a time where the news is blaring and things feel a little helpless, it’s been important for me to help in the small ways that I can and also learn more about our communities in the process. I love Support and Feed and Dine11 because they make being involved so very easy and are plant-based. I personally am not on a 100% plant-based diet, but I try to lean in that direction more often than not and make mindful choices. And when it comes to sustainability, a plant-based diet helps so very much!

As an active advocate of the homeless currently working to keep people fed, can you tell us a little bit about what it is like out there right now? LA already has a huge homeless population. Have you seen an increase?
Homelessness has been a huge issue for a while, but since the start of quarantine, let alone the last week, the number of tent cities in ALL areas of Los Angeles has grown. There isn’t a bridge you won’t drive under that doesn’t have makeshift shelters set up, as well as parks and open-grass areas that are being actively lived on. It’s very hard to take in and it’s overwhelming. There isn’t just one solution in how to take care of those in need and prevent more people from being displaced or unable to afford to live in Los Angeles. A sweep of people’s belongings every month (the only belongings they have) isn’t going to fix this problem. I’m eagerly awaiting more solutions on the ways we CAN help.

It seems you are staying very busy during this time. Is there anything special you are doing to stay positive during these times?
Oh, man! Staying busy definitely helps the positivity from fading, and I’m very blessed to get to film during this time and have a sliver of normalcy. But being busy can also create more overwhelm or anxiety. I’ve noticed that journaling and moving my body helps positivity come back. And never underestimate the power of speaking to loved ones or a professional (like a therapist) if things are getting hard or not feeling right. I’m lucky to have a good support system that never judges me for needing to connect. And just as importantly, I’ve learned to not judge myself for needing to.

Your IG page shows you in some fun reusable masks, do you have a favorite? Why do you choose to rock a reusable mask?
I’m all about the reusable masks! I choose reusable to limit the amount of waste we’re sending into our environment (a side effect of reusable masks also means saving money on needing to buy more). I know we don’t always have a choice depending on job requirements or situations, but when we do — I choose reusable.

Where you can find Jessy on social media:
Instagram: @jschramer
Twitter: @jschramer
Facebook: Jessy Schram

Photography by Kristie Schram.

Hallmark Movie Star Jessy Schram Is Helping The Homeless Crisis In L.A.