My name is Sasha Townsend. I am an advocate for children of divorce and a passionate supporter of healthy relationships and healthy families. I study child development, marriage, romantic relationships, and emotional health. As the Executive Director of Blended Love, a nonprofit dedicated to the child of divorce, I work with my colleagues to develop materials to equip children, parents, and teachers based on the best social science possible. Together with  Monica Epperson and Sandra Goodwin, I have produced various materials for supporting the child of divorce at home and in the classroom, including the Change Agent Journal Programs for various age groups and Calm Classrooms in Turbulent Times. Our programs are designed to meet the specific needs of children of divorce by equipping the parent, the teacher, and the child himself. Monica Epperson, Sandra Goodwin, and I work together to develop programming, raise funds, and spread awareness of the needs of children of divorce in Tulsa, OK.

I am also a workshop leader for the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative, teaching their Forever. For Real. workshops for couples and their Smart Singles workshops for singles, based on the PREP, Christian-PREP, and Within My Reach curricula created by the PREP team at the University of Denver. To find a free workshop (engaged couples save $45 on their Oklahoma marriage license by attending), visit Forever For Real. I have been teaching for OMI since 2007 and was named an ambassador of the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative in fall 2009.

I am also Mrs. Tulsa America 2010. I’m a Toastmaster with Tulsa Club #148. I’m a scientist and idealist at heart. I hope to someday spread the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative model and Blended Love programs to all fifty states as Mrs. America.