Sat 19 Dec · 4 to 8 PM in Groveland

Lake County Christmas · Sat 19 Dec

A free Christmas for Lake County families

Gifts, Santa photos, performances, Marco’s pizza and Nana’s hot chocolate. 4 to 8 PM at the Nathaniel Community Gymnasium in Groveland. It’s our 5th year.

Add it to your calendar: Google · Apple or Outlook

A boy laughing with Santa at Lake County Christmas 2025

New bikes lined up for Lake County Christmas

Empowering Young People is a Groveland, Florida nonprofit. A recruiting app, a spring exposure camp, two podcasts, a fatherhood community, a summer program and holiday events for Lake County, and it’s all under one roof.

Coming up

What's next at EYP

19DecLake County ChristmasNathaniel Community Gymnasium, Groveland · 4 to 8 PM · FreeDetails
17AprThe Real McCoy Exposure CampCentral Florida Fairgrounds · Registration opens soonJoin the list
2027SummerSummer Program and summer jobsCamp, summer school and paid jobs for Lake County youthGet notified

Our programs

One organization, many rooms

Camps, a recruiting app, two podcasts, a fatherhood community, a summer program and holiday events. Whatever brought you here, there’s a place for you, and you’re welcome.

EYP Player Factory

Get seen by college coaches

A free athlete profile with your film, measurements and testing. Athletes are free. Nobody pays to be seen.

TJ McCoy coaching campers between drills

The Real McCoy Exposure Camp · Sat 17 April 2027

Compete. Get evaluated. Get exposure.

It’s our spring camp at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, and there’s $6,000 in scholarships for the top performers.

Rise Up Dads

Be the father you never had

It’s a community of Central Florida dads who show up for their kids and for each other. Rise Up, Lead Strong, Leave a Legacy.

TJ McCoy talking with campers at The Real McCoy Exposure Camp

The Blueprint Podcast

Recruiting, from people who've lived it

EYP Player Factory presents honest conversations about recruiting, development and the game.

Watch EYP

Real talk, on camera

Two podcasts from the EYP family: The Blueprint on recruiting and the next level, and Rise Up Dads on fatherhood. Here are the latest episodes and short clips from both.

The Blueprint · Episode 2Florida Gators edge coach David Reese on what it takes to play in the SEC

The Blueprint · Episode 1From overlooked at 16 to the SEC to the NFL before 22, with Corey Vereen

Rise Up Dads · Episode 4Tell your money where to go, with financial educator Daylon Pritchett

Rise Up Dads · Episode 3Why most dads never reach their potential, with author Jeff Forster

Short clips from Rise Up Dads

Why we exist

Empower youth to reach their full potential

Our mission
To EMPOWER youth to reach their full potential as responsible contributing members of their communities.
Our vision
To see youth in all counties in Central Florida reach their full potential and make the most out of their opportunities in life.
Our purpose
At Empowering Young People, we believe that every child is special, and every boy and girl deserves the guidance and support to grow, lead and thrive.

EYP by the numbers

2017The year TJ started EYP
5thLake County Christmas this December
$6,000In scholarships at the 2027 camp
4Counties reached by our Fatherhood Initiative

Every month and every week

Showing up, all year

#EYPTakeover
On the 4th Wednesday of every month, a community event for middle and high school students about the issues they face.
Events
Wednesday meals
Every Wednesday night we feed the Voltage Youth Group at Hope International Church in Groveland.
Events
24/7 Dads
Fathers meet on Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday to build parenting, relationship and life skills.
Rise Up Dads

Our founder

Meet Anthony “TJ” McCoy Jr.

TJ’s journey with EYP began in 2017 as a student-athlete at the University of Florida, studying Family, Youth and Community Sciences. He’s happiest watching young people reach their goals and become active contributors to society.

Purpose-driven youth. Legacy-focused leaders.

We’re not just mentoring. We’re building generations of resilient men, empowered youth and strong families ready to lead with purpose.

Support EYP

This work runs on people like you

Gifts, sponsors and volunteers pay for the toys, the camp scholarships, the summer jobs and the Wednesday night meals. What you give doesn’t leave Lake County.

From the blog