Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision-making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education program.
Sanctuary UCC and Hillside Community Church are proud to offer to the wider community Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive sexuality education class for 7th and 8th graders. The program equips teens of all genders with accurate, age-appropriate information and skills to help them lead sexually healthy, positive, and responsible lives. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, OWL addresses a wide range of topics including body image, relationships, social media/internet, sexual orientation, gender identity, sexually transmitted infections, contraceptives, pornography, and cultural influences on sexuality. Through engaging activities and discussions, OWL helps teens to clarify their own values and to build their interpersonal skills. Our Whole Lives is used nationwide in a variety of community settings including schools, youth-serving agencies, and faith-based communities. Although developed by two progressive, faith-based organizations (UCC and UU denominations), OWL is secular in content and contains no religious doctrine*.
Limited to 16 youth in grades 7 or 8 (2024/2025 school year); we will seek to create a gender-diverse class.
Sundays, 4:30 to 6:30 pm (with some exceptions listed on detailed schedule)
Students’ registration requires the following:
- attendance at mandatory parent orientation meeting – following the 10/22 group session; arrangements will be made for orientation with the lead facilitator (online via Zoom)
- receipt of parent permission (online form) following the Parent Orientation (refunds will be provided through November 02, should your family decide this is not the program for you)
- Payment or payment arrangements
- We ask that students commit to attending the full 16-session program.
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More Details
- Location: Hillside Community Church (lower level); 144 North Street, Medford, MA 02155
- Registration Fees: $630.00 for the (16) session, 36-hour series; with a materials fee ($15.00 per per person)
- Scholarships and payment arrangements are available on the registration form or contact Rev. Wendy (below)
- Limited to 16 Youth, grades 7 or 8 (2024/2025 school year); we will seek to create a gender-diverse class. After your payment is received or payment arrangement is made, you will be notified of your child’s spot in either the class or a waitlist.
- Full refunds will be made through November 02 if, following the orientation, your family determines not to proceed.
- Detailed Schedule including make-up dates for snow and/or COVID delays
- Contact: Rev. Wendy Miller Olapade: Wendy@SanctuaryUCC.org; Rev. Thomas Hathaway: pastor@hillsidemedford.org
- Session Postponement Policy: If weather and/or a shutdown of the local school(s) by the health department affects any of our meeting dates we will not move to virtual sessions (given the nature of the program). If we need to pause the schedule/program we would return to gathering when we can do so safely, and adjust the schedule.
- The content of the program is based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education and sexuality professionals assembled by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.
