Who We Are
180 Degrees is an outreach of Real Options, a pregnancy resource clinic in Allen, TX. This program has been serving students in the Dallas Metroplex area for over 20 years and reached over a quarter million students. Our copy-written curriculum is a sexual risk avoidance program designed to help teenagers recognize the consequences of premarital sex, the beauty of healthy marriage relationships, and turn their thinking about sex around a whole 180 degrees.
Our presentations include topics such as: setting appropriate physical boundaries, the dangers of the digital age, staggering STI and pregnancy statistics, recognizing unhealthy relationships and the joys of a thriving marriage.
Serving over 16 different school districts
Middle Schools and High Schools in Frisco, McKinney, Anna, Princeton, Wylie, Greenville, and more!
Mission Statement:
The mission of the 180 Degrees program is to encourage young people to adopt a lifestyle of sexual integrity.
“Encourage” – to inspire with courage, spirit, personal example and confidence
“Young people” – ranging from middle school through college age students
“Adopt” – actionable, observable change in behavior; make part of their lives
"Lifestyle” – this includes any/all decisions, thought patterns, behaviors, and beliefs
“Sexual integrity” – defined as sexual abstinence until marriage and healthy emotional,
physical and spiritual choices within relationships
Organizations and Corporations
Parent Awareness Presentations
SPEAKERS
Donna valdepena
Donna Valdepena joined Real Options in 2023 and has served in several roles within the organization, bringing a broad range of experience to her current position as Education Director for the 180 Degrees program.
A former member of the U.S. Air Force, Donna retired from law enforcement after a 25-year career and has continued her education through college-level studies and professional development. She has a genuine passion for helping young people recognize their value, make healthy choices, and build a strong foundation for their future.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Donna has called North Texas home since 2001. She and her husband, Wayne, have four adult children—three daughters and a son—and several grandchildren. She loves traveling, hiking, spending time with family, and challenging herself to do hard things.
Kylie Wolff
Kylie is a certified Secondary English teacher with a lifelong passion for investing in the lives of young people. Some of her fondest childhood memories include playing “teacher” with her sister, complete with old schoolbooks and a red pen in hand. That early love for education grew into a career when she began working with students in 2016 at Title I schools in South Carolina. Since then, Kylie has served students of all ages in a variety of educational settings, from preschool through high school.
In addition to her work in education, Kylie developed a passion for supporting and encouraging women facing difficult circumstances while working as a Patient Advocate at HOPE Women’s Center.
Today, Kylie and her husband live in McKinney, Texas, where they are raising their two young boys. She enjoys spending time with her family, serving her community, and encouraging young people to recognize their value, build healthy relationships, and make positive choices for their future.
Why Abstinence Education WORKS
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Why Abstinence Education WORKS 〰️
Why Abstinence Education Works
Abstinence education is sometimes criticized, so we wanted to take the time to explain the benefits of this approach.
1. 100% Effective
This is a simple but essential point. If a child is taught abstinence and practices it, then they will not incur many of the consequences such as teen pregnancy and STIs. There is an added benefit of reduced emotional attachment issues due to sexual activity paired with the dissolvent of the relationship.
2. Medically accurate & Peer REVIEWED
We understand the importance of accurate medical information. Thus, our 180 Degrees curriculum as been peer reviewed by the medical professionals: OBGYNs, educators, and licensed counselors. You can find our research along with bibliographic information on our Research page.
3. comprehensive
Some argue that programs that call themselves "comprehensive sex education" are more affection than “abstinence only” curriculums. However, we believe 180 Degrees is more comprehensive than most of the ones that are called by that name. Our curriculum addresses STIs, pregnancy, emotional issues, the benefits of abstinence AND contraception. We do not provide or refer for contraception, but we are clear about the benefits and limitations of them. We agree that condoms are a BETTER choice for a sexually active student, but it is not the BEST choice. Why would we settle for teaching our children to reach for "better" when they can have the "best"?
4. Encourages Healthy Relationships
180 Degrees teaches that abstinence is not about rules and regulations, but rather about freedom to have wonderful healthy relationships and ultimately marriages. Sex should be something that is cherished and looked forward to in a marriage relationship. Many students have not been witness to these types of relationships and our team wants to show students it is possible.
5. It is the Law
Currently in the state of Texas, abstinence education is the required teaching curriculum, and the age of sexual consent is 17 years old.
6. Parents Agree
Most parents in the United States agree that abstinence education is what they want for their children. If parents and educators work together to provide a strong message of abstinence, we can make a difference. We also recognize that abstinence education is best done in the home. 180 Degrees is only meant to be a reiteration of the parents' message. Thus, we encourage each of our students to have open communication about their sexual health with their parents.
7. Teenagers Agree
Even teenagers can recognize that boundaries are beneficial. They might not always want to admit it, but they are pleading with adults for a positive message.
Teens whose parents express disapproval of non-marital sex and contraceptive use are less likely than their peers to have sex.
Nearly 9 out of 10 teens say it would be easier to avoid early sexual activity and teen pregnancy if they were able to have more open, honest conversations about these topics with their parents.
9 out of 10 teens think that adults should let teens know they should wait to have sex at least until they get out of high school.
8. Raises the Standard
Some think that abstinence is an outdated ideal that most teenagers will not choose. But our team believes students can make good choices when given the right tools. We have to hold up a standard for our children and not lower it simply because we don't believe in their ability to make good choices. Will some students still choose to become sexually active? Of course, but does that mean we should stop teaching the best option just because some don't choose it? Do we discourage college because some won't go, do we hand out clean needles because some might use drugs, do we stop discouraging underage drinking because some will end up drinking? These ideas are ridiculous because we want the best for our children and that is what abstinence is for their sexual health.
9. Scientific Research
Here are some resources for data that show abstinence education is having a positive and effective impact on teenagers and young adults.
Targeted educational programs:
5TH GRADE
6th grade
7-8th grade
High School
Sexting
Dangers of the Digital Age
College and Single Adults
Retreats
Faith-based Groups
Parents
*Due to the sensitive nature of some subjects below and our belief that it is the parents responsibility to raise their children under their own beliefs, we do NOT discuss or teach on the following subjects:
Masturbation, Abortion, Homosexuality, Transgenderism, Condom Demonstrations
All questions raised on these topics are referred back to the parents for discussion.
If you would like an outline of the materials covered in each of these programs, please contact the 180 Team.