The Vashon Resettlement Committee, which formed last winter to bring refugees to the island, is hosting a fundraiser this Friday and hopes to provide a home for a refugee family soon.

The event, called Salam, Vashon — or Peace, Vashon, in Arabic — will include Syrian food and presentations by Sarah Peterson, the Washington State Refugee Coordinator; Nicky Smith, the director of the International Rescue Committee, and Hazim Mohaisan, a member of the Syrian Muslim community.

The committee hopes to raise $7,000 through the event and an online fundraising effort. Money raised will help pay rent and provide additional assistance for one or more refugee families while they become self sufficient.

Islander and event organizer Mary Rose said Peterson and Smith will speak to the process of settling refugees, what services their agencies provide and how Vashon can help support that effort. She said she has additional hopes as well: “For Sarah and Nicky to see that we have a strong and vibrant community ready to offer support.”

Originally from Syria, Mohaisan will also speak to those who attend. He is a Canadian citizen who now works at Microsoft and volunteers with the Muslim Association of Puget Sound, which promotes greater understanding of Islam and Muslims and helps support Muslim refugees in the area.

Rose noted that the connection with Mohaisan is important, as his assistance with finding refugees who would like to settle on Vashon could speed that process. Additionally, she said it is possible islanders may also be able to support other refugee resettlement efforts in the area through him.

Fellow organizer and committee member Susan Doerr said she would like people to come and learn about what kinds of support will be needed — and plug in as they can, providing assistance to the small group of women who are the core members of the effort.

“We are trying to engage more people because we cannot do it by ourselves; we want to get other people involved,” she stressed

Doerr envisions Vashon as a possible leader for settling refugees.

“My hope is that people will come and get involved and help us develop a model for other communities — like Canada has been a model for us,” she said.

She added that she hopes Vashon business owners will also attend and help in the process of securing jobs for local refugees

Last week Doerr spoke to the results of the presidential election and the uncertainty it has created for refugees and immigrants.

“Now is a good time … to be working at our level,” she said. “We can do something. We might not have any control over policies at the federal level, but we can do something at our level. I believe that does make a difference.”

Salam, Vashon! will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Vashon Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $20 and $15 for students.

See vashonresettlement.org for more information.