Photos: Immigrants form worker cooperatives amid gentrification in Santa Ana

Members of the Cooperativa Tierra y Dignidad co-op in Santa Ana meet recently to discuss upcoming jobs and the process of incorporation.

(Helen Zhao / Los Angeles Times)

Aug. 19, 2016 2:26 PM PT

Cooperativa Tierra y Dignidad member Abel Ruiz, left, and a friend work on a community garden in Santa Ana where they plan to harvest vegetables.

(Helen Zhao / Los Angeles Times)

Apolonio Cortes, left, and Abel Ruiz sell vegetables at a market several Latino immigrant co-ops hold every month in Santa Ana.

(Helen Zhao / Los Angeles Times)

The women of the co-op Manos Unidas Creando Arte right, sell handcrafted jewelry and bags at the monthly market.

(Helen Zhao / Los Angeles Times)

The Santa Ana co-ops hold their market at El Centro Cultural de Mexico.

(Helen Zhao / Los Angeles Times)

Worker-owners of Cooperativa Tierra y Dignidad catered a quinceañera in Santa Ana in April.

(Helen Zhao / Los Angeles Times)

Cooperativa Tierra y Dignidad’s Carlos Melendez serves a young guest at the quinceañera.

(Helen Zhao / Los Angeles Times)