Dilayla “De” Quinones and her wife, Emily, walked along the outskirts of McPherson Square in Kensington on Saturday, distributing care packages to those in need. They sparked conversations with people gathered at the park who are experiencing homelessness, and offered them food, clothing and resources.
The outreach effort is part of Quinones’ nonprofit, We Matter, to help those struggling with addiction.
“We come out here once a month,” Quinones said. “Our Amazon wish list is getting bigger and people have been donating. We’re just normal, everyday people that are just willing to help out.”
On Saturday, the duo distributed 85 care packages containing food, clothes, toiletries, and Narcan, an emergency treatment for narcotic overdose. The Square was crowded with volunteers, religious activists, and members of the community, many of whom appeared unconscious.
“We help out the homeless in Kensington,” Quinones said. “We give care bags with personal items like toiletries, toothbrushes, brushes, razors, wipes, food, Narcan … and just come out here and talk to them.”
Quinones founded We Matter in November 2021. She estimates they’ve given out over 3,000 care packages as they approach the three year anniversary. Despite their accomplishments, the couple stressed they feel they are not doing enough to help, stating drug addiction is a disease, not a choice.
Quinones reflected heavily on her own struggles as her main motivation for starting We Matter.
“I was in my addiction for 19 years,” she said. “I was drinking, doing all types of drugs, like fentanyl, opiates, Benzos. So in 2021, I finally had a breakdown in June, and I went to [Recovery Centers of America at Lighthouse].”
Drug related deaths in Philadelphia have become increasingly more prominent. According to a 2023 report from the City of Philadelphia, accidental overdose deaths have increased by 11 percent. Of those deaths, over 80 percent involved opioids.
“The fentanyl crisis has gotten crazier,” Quinones said. “And it’s stronger now. A person like me, I’ve been sober three years, if I were to relapse today, I don’t think I’d be alive.”
And while deaths and opioid usage increase, the drugs themselves are being used in different ways, Quinones explained, adding that street drugs are being laced with fentanyl and other opioids.
“You got to be careful now, because they’re lacing it in street marijuana,” Quinones said. “They’re lacing it in the street Benzos, the street Percocet. That’s how I got hooked.”
While withdrawal symptoms make getting clean extremely physically demanding, there are also numerous mental battles to overcome. Quinones wife, Emily, aided her in quitting her addiction.
“The biggest struggle is trying to open somebody’s eyes,” Emily said. “You want to help them, but they don’t want the help. It took years for me to try to get [De] help. She had to reach her own rock bottom for me to be able to get her that help.”
The couple said they want to expand and eventually open a rehabilitation center, stating current options are too expensive or have other challenges.
In the meantime, they are seeking donations to help their cause. Supplies like clothes, blankets, shoes, toiletries and food are strongly needed, as well as money to create care packages.
“I’m just trying to give them hope,” Quinones said.”And show them that there’s people out here that still care about them.
“These people are human. They’re not animals. Just say hi to them. That’s all they want — a smile, a ‘good morning.’ Acknowledge them. You will be surprised. A lot of them have so much talent.”
For more information or to make a donation, visit the We Matter Facebook page or email wematterorganization2022@gmail.com.
