Kids Help Phone: Degrassi Creators Announce $1M Gift to Trent University (2026)

Source: Kids Help Phone / Trent University Press Release
Date: June 25, 2026
Document Type: News Article / Press Release
Source Link: Official Kids Help Phone Newsroom

On June 25, 2026, Kids Help Phone (KHP) and Trent University announced a landmark $1 million gift from legendary television creators and philanthropists Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn. The significant investment will fund a five-year partnership designed to integrate national mental health support with campus-based services, providing students with immediate, barrier-free access to care.

The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between national digital infrastructure and student-centered wellness initiatives. Schuyler and Stohn, best known for shaping youth culture through the Degrassi franchise, are extending their lifelong commitment to youth resilience beyond the screen to create a more connected and accessible model of support.

A New Integrated Model of Student Care

Key components of the partnership include direct pathways to KHP’s professional support in over 100 languages and streamlined access to moderated peer-to-peer communities. Additionally, KHP will provide Trent with de-identified data on youth mental health trends, allowing the University to refine its services and identify emerging needs early.

“By bringing together Trent’s campus-based supports with Kids Help Phone’s 24-hour virtual services, this partnership will make it easier for students to find the right support, at the right time and in the way that works best for them.”

— Aaron Sanderson, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone Foundation

Philanthropy and Leadership

The gift is part of Trent University’s $100 million Momentous Campaign. Linda Schuyler, a member of the KHP Foundation Board and co-chair of the campaign, has a long history of advocacy, including donating all proceeds from her memoir, The Mother of All Degrassi, to KHP.

Stephen Stohn, who served as Trent’s 12th Chancellor for seven years, concludes his term on July 1, 2026. Throughout his tenure, he prioritized student resilience and connecting campus communities with national resources. The couple’s philanthropic history at Trent also includes the leadership gift that established the University’s Student Centre.