Our Whole Lives (OWL)

Our Whole Lives (or OWL for short) was developed in a partnership between the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association. This comprehensive program is designed to support people in their understanding of relationships and sexuality at each stage of their life. OWL is facilitated by trained adult facilitators in a developmentally-appropriate series according to age:

• grades K-1
• grades 4-6
• grades 7-9
• grades 10-12
• young adults
• adults 

Locally, we facilitate the middle school-aged (grades 7 & 8) OWL program for BUUF, High Country United Church of Christ, and community youth every year. The progressive and holistic approach to comprehensive sexual education equips young people with age-appropriate, accurate information about human sexuality so they can make informed, thoughtful decisions. Topics include relationships, self -worth, bullying, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual health, and cultural influences on sexuality. ​

​Our Whole Lives Offers...

• Accurate information presented in developmentally appropriate ways
• Affective and emotional learning
• Guiding values and principles
• Activities that help participants clarify values and improve decision-making skills
• A safe and supportive peer group
• Acceptance of diversity
• A social justice approach to inclusive sexuality education
• Step-by-step instructions for program promotion, implementation, and facilitation
• Parent orientation that affirms parents as their children’s primary sexuality educators
• Facilitator trainings and continuing education to increase knowledge, skills, confidence
• Expert user support from OWL Program Associate (UUA) and OWL Program Coordinator (UCC)
• Sexuality and Our Faith, an optional religious supplement for use in Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ settings.

Our Whole Lives Values...
While Our Whole Lives is secular, it is not value-free. The program gives clear messages about the following key sexuality issues:

• self worth
• sexual health
• responsibility
• justice and inclusivity

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Here is more information about BUUF's Our Whole Lives program.