Interact is a service and social club for young people, ages 14-18. The first Interact club was founded in October 1962. Today there are more than 6,000 clubs around the world, each sponsored by a Rotary club. While the Rotary club provides guidance and inspiration, the youth clubs are self-governing and self-supporting, giving members a chance to develop a range of leadership skills while leaning the value of teamwork.
There are 30 Interact clubs in the greater Houston area sponsored by 25 Rotary clubs. Interact involves approximately 2,500 students. In past years Houston area Interactors collected 11,000 school books and filled a shipping container for South Africa. They have raised nearly $4,000 for Hunger Plus, a worldwide effort to distribute freeze-dried food to areas stricken by drought. Individual clubs have raised money for local Boys & Girls Clubs, operated mentoring programs for middle school students and assisted cities with festivals.