Aim: The article aims to identify the conceptual convergence between Appreciative Inquiry and social resilience and to indicate how their integration may support the management of social services. The paper assumes that both perspectives, despite different origins, share a resource-based logic relevant for institutional transformation. Methods: The study is based on a theoretical review of academic literature and selected legal frameworks concerning social resilience and social assistance. A comparative analysis was applied to distinguish key assumptions, mechanisms, and analytical levels of both approaches and to link them with management implications. Results: The analysis shows that both concepts emphasize local resources, cooperation, trust, learning, and adaptive capacity. Their integration enables a shift from deficit-based management toward practices focused on strengths, participation, and co-creation of solutions. It also highlights the role of narrative and stakeholder engagement in building sustainable social service systems. Discussion: The combined perspective provides a coherent framework for understanding change in social services under crisis conditions. However, it requires balancing positive orientation with recognition of structural constraints and implementation limits.