I can completely understand your hesitation given that there are differences between you and the other participants. That can really make it hard to try something new, especially when there's so much uncertainty around it.

What are you specifically supposed to get out of this program? Is it the type of thing where you'll be learning? Is it primarily social?

It may be difficult to think about socializing with people who have difference experiences than you do. I'd like to encourage you to give it a try for one reason: being around people, no matter who they are, is healthy and is worth pursuing. You may feel over time like you're getting a benefit from the program that you weren't anticipating.

As far as the money goes, that's more concerning to me. Have you spoken to the social worker about this specifically? There may be something she can do about that so that you can at least give the program a shot.