The Alameda County branch of the Smith Scholastic Society helps Alameda County foster youth, orphans, runaway and homeless youth, and wards of the court get to college.

• Extra Support for Foster Youth attending ILSP programs: Sponsors get-togethers and provides refreshments at gatherings at the Alameda County ILSP offices, where high school foster youth have opportunities to meet former foster youth who are current college students or recent college graduates.

• Mentor Matching: Provides mentors for youth who would like assistance with college and financial aid preparation, academic support, and individualized moral support and encouragement. Individual mentors can also act as advocates when a foster youth needs help dealing with bureaucratic hassles.

• Social Activities: Promotes fellowship between youth and screened adult volunteers of all ages. Youth interested in attending universities, community colleges, and vocational schools can meet with one another and adult volunteers in informal settings while they learn about the benefits of higher education.

• College visits and other university-related experiences: Offers college-focused activities such as a yearly visit to campus day at the University of California at Santa Cruz and, when appropriate, help brokering admission to a University of California or California State University campus of the high school student's choice.

• Early academic planning: Coordinates with the Renaissance Scholars program at the University of California at Santa Cruz to recruit good candidates and support the attendance of five or six academically promising 8th grade foster youth at an early academic planning camp held in May in Santa Cruz County.