Cardinal Timothy Dolan was in Yonkers Thursday to throw his support behind the expansion of the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center.

Officials at the center say they are facing an emerging crisis with residents who “age out” of the facility when they reach age 22 under state regulation. According to officials at Elizabeth Seton, 30 percent of the residents who age out tragically die within 14 months because of the lack of long-term care options.

To manage the crisis, Elizabeth Seton hopes to raise $45 million to build a new, 48-bed facility adjacent to the current center to meet the needs of medically complex adults between the ages of 21 and 35. 

Officials at the center are confident Cardinal Dolan, who was there when it opened seven years ago, will bring more divine intervention this time around.

Cardinal Dolan says he fully supports the expansion plan. He met with the pediatric center’s children, families and staff, before taking a tour of the facility and visiting a music class.

Elizabeth Seton officials told News 12 they're hoping to build the new facility in about five years.