A programme designed to provide work for unemployed Bermudians will celebrate its tenth anniversary tomorrow.

The Hustle Truck initiative began after the Bermuda Housing Corporation contracted eight young men and women from the Middletown area to paint over graffiti on the walls of their properties in the area.

In the last decade more than 2,000 people have taken part in the programme.

“It was very encouraging to see the young men and women take ownership of their work and to date, the graffiti has not reappeared in the neighbourhood,” BHC general manager Major Barrett Dill said.

“Since then, the Corporation, through the Hustle Truck Programme, has helped hundreds of Bermudians in need with short term, temporary employment and assisted them with finding full time jobs. In addition, the programme has provided much valued assistance to our seniors, community groups, churches, schools and neighbourhoods.”

The Hustle Truck programme, an acronym for Helping the Unemployed Sustain Themselves with Limited Employment, continues to operate under guidance of the BHC and with the support of the Ministry of Public Works.

“The Hustle Truck has helped to sustain some of Bermuda’s unemployed persons with part-time employment,” said Major Dill. “Were it not for the existence of the Hustle Truck programme, many of these persons would be forced to enrol in the Financial Assistance programme.

“At present, there are approximately 15 people on the wait list daily who are advised to return the following day for an opportunity to work.”

Hustle Truck workers are helped with interview and presentation skills and their details and skill sets are kept on a database for other employment opportunities.

Craig Cannonier, the Minister of Public Works, said: “The Hustle Truck has come to the aid of the Government on many occasions and for that we are grateful.

“They have assisted in the cleaning of graffiti in many neighbourhoods, assisted in the moving of Government departments, cleared areas of hedges, trees, and bushes on many Government-owned land on an urgent basis as well as assisted in the clean-up of neighbourhoods after hurricanes.”